Honningsvag, North Cape and a lucky break

Saturday 9 August

Early morning arrival in to Honningsvag, one of the northernmost "cities" of the world.  Small port town dating back 10,000 years which thrives on its fishing industry aided by its location on the ice free Barents Sea.  Some drizzle does not bode well, but fairly quickly disappears - cold, but no wind, and we are well prepared.

With the exception of one chapel, the whole town was raised by German destruction in 1944 and has been rebuilt since the War.  It is very colourful with its port, painted wooden houses and painted bikes all around town because of a significant bike race coming up.

Took the bus 35km to North Cape in quite clear skies and the drive is an absolute highlight. Initially around the fjord coast, then up the mountains and across the plateau with roaming reindeer herds, beautiful lakes and a different view around every corner. The Cape had a lot of visitors - buses, cars, motorbikes, push bikes and hikers and the sky was clear one minute, in mist the next. The views are spectacular from the top of the Cape as it rises an almost sheer 1000 ft from the ocean below.

We also enjoyed the visitor centre with its displays and Panorama theatre before the stunning drive back to Honningsvag.  15M from the bus I became aware that my camera was not with me - I had taken photos as we came back but I had not been able to put the camera back in its case attached to my belt because of the clothes being worn and Norwegian law that requires seat belts to be worn on buses. I thought that I had got it into a jacket pocket!!!!

Anyway, back onto the bus for a search (on the floor, in the overhead, between the seats) including with the driver - no luck and he was keen to get moving.  Left details at Tourist Information office and with bus company but nothing doing. Not looking good - but it had to be on that bus!!!  I cooled my heals with a visit to the town's Ice Bar for a couple of drinks and set myself to meet the bus on its next return journey - different driver, different bus!!!!  But he was an enthusiast, rang the bus depot and, when that produced no result, went back to the depot to search himself - and he turned it up, jammed between seats!!!!!  I shall be forever grateful to him.

Set sail back up around North Cape, which we slowly drifted below about 200M offshore before starting our journey south.  No darkness tonight.