Lofoten: Vikings and churches

After waking up to slightly better weather in Eggum, we had a walk along the coast, including a quick look at the remains of the German wartime radar station which had a great view over the Norwegian Sea. There was nothing between us and Greenland from here! Then, back at Molly Moho, we ate breakfast before setting off for the Lofotr Viking Museum.

We decided to visit this museum because the weather has once again thwarted our plans for a mountain walk. According to the online reviews it is supposed to be one of the better Viking museums in Norway, and John fancied rowing the Viking Ship.

The museum at Borg is built next to the remains of an actual Viking settlement. One of the most powerful Viking chieftain’s farms in the Nordic region once stood here. Today, there is the world’s longest reconstructed longhouse (83 metres), as well as exhibitions containing Viking era artefacts.

The longhouse was beautifully made, and brought to life with people dressed in costume demonstrating various Viking crafts and traditions. They were even serving a traditional Viking lunch.

We then walked down to the fjord shore where there is a reconstructed Viking ship. In the end, we didn’t fancy a trip because it was so windy and cold.

There were other activities to try, such as archery, horse riding and axe throwing. John had a go at the archery but wasn’t able to try out the axe throwing because it, sadly wasn’t open until later.

On the way back to the visitor centre, we walked through a cemetery and up to a church on the hill. I’m collating a portfolio of Scandinavian church photos, hoping I can get enough good shots together that work as a panel to submit for a photographic award.

We later stopped at Gimsøy where there’s another pretty church. It’s in a lovely setting on a white beach, with high mountains behind it, and turquoise sea. It was a lovely setting to sit and have lunch.

Next we decided to visit the popular picturesque little town of Henningsvær. Unfortunately, en route the weather deteriorated again and, by the time we arrived, it was raining and the cloud was right down.

Not wanting to miss visiting and doing a hike up the hill behind the town for the views, we bit the bullet and paid the extortionate fee of £41 for 24 hours in a car park with no services other than paid toilets and paid black waste disposal.

To be honest, we’re fed up of constantly having to change our plans, and being unable to hike because of the strong wind and rain, or even just low cloud shrouding the mountains. After all the research we did, and our excitement about the views of Lofoten we’d see, it’s getting us down. We know we’re lucky to have been able to visit and see how beautiful the archipelago is, and we have done wonderful hikes elsewhere in Norway, but this evening we’ve found it difficult to be positive… the wine and chocolate is out!

We’ve now made provisional plans to leave Lofoten much earlier than scheduled to head Sweden’s east coast, but hopefully we will get some sunshine to at least do one walk here over the next couple of days.