Nice to wake up in the forest.
Today we walked around the peninsula where we had parked.
There’s a sandy beach all around the peninsula while we walked along the edge of the forest, looking down.
Snow-capped mountains everywhere you look
We are in a nature reserve with interesting birds everywhere. Loads of sand martens had made themselves at home in this sandy bank
A sand marten
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On our way to Skibotn and Olderelv Camping
After a rainy start up the hills, we drove down to sunny Alta (https://www.altamuseum.no/en/) to see some rock art.
Is this Norwegian rock art, no it‘s Swedish knitting by Anna Bauer. The knitting style called „chicken strikken“ originated in the 1970s in Denmark. The idea was to knit using your own imagination and to combine symbols and patterns into colourful garments. When Anna Bauer discovered chicken strikken, she loved it. “I think it’s time to set knitting free again! Embrace the unknown, let go of firm land and get out on the slippery ice!” Anna Bauer.
As a dedicated odd-socker Kim was delighted to read that Anna Bauer prefers odd mittens.
The real rock art was outside of course, spread along a beautiful fjord-side walk in a birch forest.
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The experts now think that the rocks near the sea were originally coated in a red layer of iron oxide like this and the figures chipped into the surface were light grey.
Great view out over the fjord.
It’s the end of May and here the trees are just coming into leaf. Lovely!
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Get a look at Alta’s church, not to mention the irreverent swinger!
On our way to Storslett, where we found a fantastic car park to spend the night in a forest next to the fjord.
Atmospheric drive through the mountains
Did you know that reindeer are the only fully emancipated deer where the girls get to wear antlers too.
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Groovy geology
My old geography teacher would have loved this
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11:00 arrived at the very top of Europe!
Today we drove further north to Stabbursdalen lodge
These reindeer are still dressed for snowy weather
What’s she doing?
Taking a panoramic picture
Kim is looking pleased with himself.
What‘re you looking at?
Nice walk around the coastal bird sanctuary
Today we drove through Finland and popped out on the other side in Norway.
A reindeer family enjoying the Finnish sunshine
Norwegian ice that hasn‘t got around to melting yet.
Doesn’t it look scrumptious?
Birch trees everywhere at the moment
Our very nice spot for the night
Bye bye lake, time to move on.
Hello lake, we’re here for the night.
Buzz off mosquito, I‘m having my picture taken.
Plenty of room for the camper.
Sunset today 22:48
Sunrise tomorrow 02:01
Today we visited Tomas Skimutis, an artist recommended by Per Helldorff
Tomas demonstrating one of his pieces
Gerhild‘s favourite bird-helicopter
Two bottles of high-octane fuel
Fabulous older work.
After a nice chat with Tomas, we went to a Swiss baker to buy four loaves of yummy bread (website translated).
Next stop was the Skulpturenpark Umedalen
Louise Bourgeois
Jaume Plensa
Katarina Kaikkonen, Finland, 160 men’s jackets. Great isn’t it.
Horsing around on a disused chimney
Gunilla Samberg – Räddningsplats (rescue room)
Nina Saunders, Denmark. The Whirlwind in the Thornbush.
Smart building, what’s it made of?
Hang on a minute, aren’t they…?
Yes, that’s right beer crates!
Shoes
Our spot for the night
Not a bad view
We‘ll drink to that
It‘s a beautiful campsite so we‘ll stay here for a day and bask in the sunshine.
After lunch we walked up the hill to enjoy the view.
There’s also a barbecue spot on the top. The Swedes even provide some wood. The only snag is that you have to cut it up yourself.
Wild orchids
So much nature in a 2 km walk
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A very fine walk
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Nature‘s abstract creation
Our campsite for two nights (snibbenscamping.se)
Today we popped in to Skulpturparken i Ängelsberg in a beautiful watery landscape. (Web site translated )
Not the Louvre, just an artist working in a Swedish forest
The philosopher‘s bench
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A topsy turvy world
Our spot to spend the night, next to the river Testeboån, the least exploited water course in Sweden.
Today we visited Pers mekaniske kabinett (web site – translated )
Anna and Per Helldorff
One of Per‘s amazing automata.
We ate some of Anna‘s delicious rhubarb crumble and her renowned nettle soup with nettles freshly harvested by Per the previous day.
Then we drove to Konst på Hög
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A well ventilated church
A herd of strange creatures wandering over the hill
What’s that?
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Our spot for the night
So green and warm. What more can you wish for?
Today we went for a walk in the beautiful forest where you can find the sculptures for Wanås Konst.
Yoko Ono‘s wishing trees
The amazing Snapphane oak tree
The colours!
Detail of a large work
More detail
The whole thing
Gerhild is on top of the world
Kim‘s pretty high too
The Wanås country home
The river next to our camp site – Storkens Ställplats
4 hour drive to our relaxing parking spot.
A dragon boat crew practising in the bay.
