Day 74 - Sami Country and more Snow



12th June 2018

 Today saw us reach our final significant town before Nordkapp, the surprisingly large city of Alta.  It is well known for it's stone age rock carvings and during WW2 had The Tirpitz battleship tucked away in near by Kafjord.  Riding past the fjord today I could see just how good a place it was to "hide" a battleship.

It was almost dry with just the odd short shower, cold though.  The locals are also disgruntled with the weather, it is, apparently, quite unseasonal.

Shortly after Alta the route climbed 400m to a high table land.  It was a remote, bleak spot with tundra like vegetation.  Amidst the bleakness were scattered huts with ski-doos parked outside.  These are the homes of the Sami. It seems a remarkably tough place to make a living.



At this point the weather deteriorated...


I'd like to think the motorhome driver wanted to give me a friendly pat on the back as opposed to risking my long term health so he could save 10 seconds on his journey time!

Tonight we are parked up in a layby beside a river, it isn't exactly idyllic but at least it has stopped snowing.



Comments

  1. Helen Blake12 June 2018 at 11:55

    If it's a no to A-ha songs how about 'Riders on the storm' ? Tho agree Climb every Mountain from Sound of music v appropriate song to finish this epic cycle ride. Well done you are vv nearly there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martin Bradley13 June 2018 at 07:14

      Riders on the storm might be great for the Mageroya Tunnel. 7km descending then ascending 260 metres.

      Delete
  2. Rachel12 June 2018 at 23:39

    That must have been very scary �� Hope it wasn’t ma rushing to crack open the vino.
    Surely ‘Ain’t no mountain high enough’ is a bit more up tempo than ‘climb every mountain’? Although perhaps you have chosen it precisely for its tempo at this stage in the journey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mrs B13 June 2018 at 02:09

      Out of vino R. Only sold in special alcohol shops and there are none in these parts. Beer or tonic for us. (Also out of gin!)

      Delete
    2. Martin Bradley13 June 2018 at 07:16

      Given the tempo I shall be riding at I might be able to sing both in the final 100 metres.

      Delete
  3. Unknown13 June 2018 at 11:14

    Idiot drivers everywhere! Stay safe, Martin, you're nearly at the end of your amazing journey.

    ReplyDelete

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