Wet hike over the ridge

 

 

Mostly rain today but what does it matter when you are in good company?

Back in Vestvågøy

 

 

Friday weather forecast was looking good, so I had to go hiking. It was such a beautiful day and the farmer was collecting some of the sheep. At least those who where not up in the hidden valley between the peaks. We could hear them.

Heading home

Abisko Östra

Riksgrensen 

Almost Narvik

Narvik

So I had coffee with Sara, then off to the train station where my train left at 08.15 heading for Narvik.   I love going by train, it is really cozy. The train from Gällivare to Narvik takes approximately 5 hours. Then I had to wait for the bus about 2 hours. The bus towards my kingdom of islands...

Back to Gällivare

Coop Jokkmokk

Bus station Jokkmokk

Rainy at the bus station

Annika is leaving with southbound train. 

Tonight's accommodation

Sara with the 5 dogs

We got up just after 4, had coffee, packed everything and cleaned, then Annika walked the dog and I locked up the house. Darkness outside. After 3 hours or so we arrived in  Jokkmokk where we had to wait almost 5 hours for the next bus. When in Gällivare I said goodbye to Annika since her train was leaving today. Then I tried to get a room for the night but most places were fully booked. Apparently there are a lot of workers staying here during weekdays. I went to Sara to pick up my stuff and she said I could stay over at their house, since the kids are not home. How lucky am I? So I got one of the lovely girlie rooms. Then they went to fix their cabin for the winter and I was lying on their couch reading my new book that I bought in Jokkmokk and then watching some tv until they arrived around 10 pm. Her husband is part of the Mountain Rescue Team and they had several alarms during the evening, now he was going to Karesuando which is 200 km! Me and Sara had tea and crackers while talking about all and nothing. Then we got to bed kind of late. I was reading a few pages but was kind of tired now. I am grateful for all the kindness people are showing me.

Kvikkjokk

 

 

 

 

 

So during the night it was snowing. We hiked the last part to Kvikkjokk which was not very far. The mountain lodge was closing as well. We met one more hunter on a 4-wheel and two british guys who rather not stay in tent but still wanted to go hiking. As we came down to the bus stop we realized that the 2 pm bus is no longer. Now the daily bus is 5.20 am which means we have to stay in this place where there is nothing. But there was a woman coming out of the church so we talked to her and she said we could stay in the old Bakery house for 200 NOK which is really good. Since the tent is soaking wet, this seemed like a good idea. So we had this whole house to ourselves and also access to  the main house where we could get a shower. We had one meal left which is good. We dried all of our stuff and went to bed quite early.

Day 7 - When the snow came

 

 

 

 

It was snowing a little this morning while we had breakfast. Today we left Pårte. It is not far now to Kvikkjokk but we decided to camp one more night before returning to civilization. Heaven was running ahead and suddenly she was barking again. This time it was two sami brothers who were out hunting, they also had a dog. We were surprised to see them and they were surprised to see more hikers, as the season has officially ended. We had a chat and not much later we set camp next to the river. It was cold and Annika was boring, sitting in her tent. I didn't have a book since I finished it and left it at the cabin, but I had my ipod so I could listen to music.

Day 6 - Emergency room

 

 

This morning I had breakfast in my tent while looking out over the lake. The four swedish guys passed us and said goodbye. Then Åke, the cabin host also came by to give us the latest weather forecast and said goodbye. He had to leave by 8 am the latest to make it to the bus. There is only one bus a day at 2 pm. Then I had a look around at this half island, since we arrived late yesterday and it got dark really fast. So every one is left and the season is over. All the cabin hosts have left of been picked up with helicopter. We are all alone at this beautiful place! So we thought, why don't we stay one more night? We are not in a hurry and Annika could use a rest day, we could just explore, sleep in the emergency room warm and cozy with a wooden stove and two beds. And we can have a campfire outdoors. So we picked a mountain we wanted to try and just went straight in to the woods. The mountain we choose was called Oarjep Sjábttjakvárre. When we came back we made a campfire and cooked dinner outside. Then Annika went inside and I just sat and stared at the fire for a long time as it got dark. There is something about fire. I can just sit and look a the flames forever. And I like the feeling that it's just us out here. On our own little half island.