Day 9 Visit to Leknes (Lofoten Islands) Norway.

After a great day in Tromso, even an enjoyable ride on the scenic tourist train, we were excited to be visiting the Lofoten Islands. Now it is timely to give some historical background. Leknes is to the North of the Arctic Circle , a region famed for stunning and dramatic landscapes and Viking ancestry and history. A harsh reality is the many years of wars and fighting during the Viking eras. Leknes i is one of the 6 prominent islands making up the Lofoten Islands, lying in the municipality of Vestvagoy, and it is here amongst the backdrop of soaring mountains and salt-white beaches. The Sund Museum is stunning in portraying the local life and then watching local blacksmiths and other traders.

We ignore the famous Ice Bar and Gallery in Svolvaer, and we stop at fishing hamlets at Nusfjord and Henningsvaer. All interesting and a different world from large Cities, fiercely independent people.

Shopping opportunities are few and far in Leknes, with a limited number of shops, and many cater to the needs of locals and concentrate on supporting the fishing companies and individual fishermen’s businesses.

In Leknes town, small cafes, independent shops, a handful of restaurants usually based around fish meals, and a couple of Churches provide the details and signs of everyday life. We need to remember this is a harsh climate and lifestyle and this also experiences the vagaries of an emphatic extended winter.

Our day is enjoyable but also reinforces the harshness of the environment, the reliance upon seafaring life and then the Nidnight Sun during the peak of summer.

A intersting fact the area is known for a unique delicasy called Stockfish- unsalted fish, hung out to dry in the cold climate. We also saw the Stands set up to hang the cod fillets. They are large timber Frames which air the Cod fillets which are suspended from various lelves upon the Frame.

Having arrived just after 10.00am , the excursion is enjoyable over 5 hours. We arrive back at the dock at about 16.00 pm . Temperatures have been okay from a low of 8C to a maximum of 12C. We dressed in coats and hats. Well prepared