MORE LOFOTEN!

One of the things we have enjoyed seeing as we've travelled around, is the water and the variety of colours it can be.  This morning's drive was no different.  We had a mantra-like refrain of "Look at that water"!

We were on our way to the small fishing village of Henningsvaer & as we'd left a little later than usual, we came across a LOT of traffic on the road, especially from the 'camper van' variety.  They had taken over the car park too & we honestly thought we might have to somehow turn around & go back out again, but thankfully we found a spot, which we hoped was okay to park in!  It was a very pretty little village & the fact that a piano festival was going on & we consequently had music floating on the air all around us, was an added pleasure.

The locals clearly had a good sense of humour & some had made an effort to entertain the busloads who come here!

Back on the road we had more stunning scenery... and water... to enjoy as we approached Eggum, where the National Scenic Route suggested we go to see an amphitheatre & a sculpture. 
The amphitheatre was a small sheltered area, built beneath the remains of a German signal tower from WW2 era. A small café & facilities were located here out of the wind coming down from the arctic north!
To find the sculpture we had to walk a kilometre on a loose gravel track, with the sea crashing onto a boulder filled beach on one side, and a calm lake on the other.  This time it wasn't piano music that accompanied our walk, but the gentle tinkle of bells around the necks of the  local sheep.

The sculpture was small & we couldn't really see it until we were right there in front of it.  It was the profile of a man's face carved from stone & placed so that it was looking out to sea.  The magical part was, that it looked different from every direction it was viewed!

So clever!

Our next stop was to see another incredible achievement, a reconstruction of the Viking Longhouse that once stood on this site in Borg.  Archaeologists had unearthed the post holes of a large longhouse, so knew the measurements of it.  It has been the longest ever discovered! They also found a variety of objects during their digs, to indicate what different parts of the house were used for. We'd spent some time in the museum first, so it was exciting to venture back in time & try to imagine where the different artefacts may have been found.

Inside we couldn't get over how big it was.
Along the side were several 'stalls' which served as rooms for various functions.  We saw both a weaver & a clothing maker at work.
There were also games, cooking utensils & foodstuffs on display, so we could see what was hunted, caught from the sea & grown.

In the far end was a Viking bed!  I forgot to ask how many were supposed to fit in this bed, but suspect it must have been set aside for someone of Chieftain-like importance. The structure was solid, but the mattress consisted of a layer of twigs & small branches, covered by sheep skins.  We were allowed to try it out & the first thing we noticed was that it was quite short in length... our feet stuck out!  It was also very hard & not very comfortable, so I don't think I'll be trading our mattress in for this option!!  However, if it was a choice between lying down on the ground & a Viking 'mattress'... I'd definitely take the mattress!

This site is FANTASTIC for families & we couldn't help but think of our own children & how much they would have LOVED this when they were younger.  There were archery lessons, axe throwing, games and learning to sail a Viking boat!  All of this was set out within a fairly large area, so we had to walk through forested areas & alongside a farm to get to different activities and information sites.
When we got down to where the dock was, a boat was actually out on the water with some trainee Vikings on board.  It looked brilliant when the wind filled the sail.

I confess, there were a number of things I REALLY liked in the gift shop.  Sadly, the woollen items, although beautiful are just too itch inducing for me, so no purchases of handmade knitwear for me...boohoo!  And the glass ware......I was drooooooling over....... but having  3 more internal flights with restrictive  baggage weight (not that we have any room in our suitcases anyway!), meant that, once again... no purchases. :-(

From our Viking adventures it was quite a drive into the sun as we journeyed towards our accommodation for the next 2 nights. Time was stretched even further when we had an hour in a queue outside a tunnel because something had fallen in it & blocked access!  We have no idea what it was, but eventually it was moved. YAY!

At last, after narrow winding roads we came to Reine where we are staying in a beautiful little Rorbuer (fisherman's hut) which originates from the 1900's.  It is utterly charming & the perfect pick-me-up after a long day.

The view is amazing....

...and gives us an insight into times gone past. 
I wonder if I'll dream about fishing tonight!