woensdag 12 februari 2020

Wednesday 12 February: on the Northcape again

Honningsvåg- Northcape - Skoganvarre 250 km


Today wefirst wentup the Northcape again, just because we could. It was a completely different experience than last night. Not only could we now see where we were driving but this time the road was super slippery. We got stuck about 10 km before the gate. And with us almost everybody else as well. The road was so slippery thanTanguy had to stay in the car to keep his foot on the brake, otherwise the car would slide down. So while Tanguy made sure the car would stay on his place I got out to put on the chains. I am getting pretty handy by now so they were on in no time. 

Beautiful views 

Putting on chains
With the chains getting to the gate was easy. This time there were a lot of other cars as well. In front of us was a white Skoda with a botox lady. She was so scared going up the cape that she was hitting her brakes all the time, going 5 km per hour uphill and stopping at every little bit of snow. Very annoying and dangerous. So we decided to pass her even though this is officially not allowed in convoy. But she made it almost impossible for us to get up. And after us more cars passed her. 
On the parking lot we met this south Korean guy who we met before. He was hitchhiking from the sputh of Finland to the Northcape, and made it after two months.


On the cape it was very windy so we made a quick few  photos and then went in for a drink and some lunch.




I must admit the the road to the Northcape is more impressive than the cape itself, but it is the thought that counts.
Then it was time to go back and start our trip to Skoganvarre. A beautiful route along the Porsangerfjord. The sun was shining and gave us spectacular views together with the amazing scenery. A trip to love, even though it was still very slippery. We made quite a few photo stops.

No words needed









 




In Skoganvarre we had lovely 4p huts again with a beautiful few over the lake. But it was already dark so I had to wait till tomorrow to see it.

The lady of the campsite cooked us a delicious meal, unfortunately for me it was fish. But the veggies and potatoes were yummie as well.
And then we had the driversmeeting and the save arrival drink. 



And after a few more drinks in the restaurant I went to bed for a good night sleep.




dinsdag 11 februari 2020

Tuesday 11 feb: we did it! 16 2CV’s on the Northcape

Alta - Honningsvåg via the Northcape: 280 km


Today we headed to Honningsvåg with the idea to go to the Northcape with tomorrow’s 11 o’ clock’s convoy. Weather was okay and the road doable so we were enjoying ourselves fine. 

Little snowduck on each car this morning 

On the E6 again

It’s a white world 
Naturally we stopped for petrol and some food as well. I think it is the fourth time this holliday that we were at this petrol station. 

Next part of the trip was along the Fjords of Norway.






The last part up to Honningsvåg is always a bit tricky. The road is small and slippery and there are many turns because it follows the coastline along the Porsangerfjord. But if you ar able to look around, like we did today, it’s a real pleasure and to drive here. Last time we passed this fjord weather was so bad that we could hardly see the road. But today we were lucky.


Ofcourse there were some tunnels as wel, this is Norway. 


While driving to Honningsvåg one of the teams let us know that we best go up tonight, because there was a big change that the road to the Northcape would not be open tomorrow. And if we took the 19.30 convoy we could also arrange that all cars were allowed at the globe for some pictures. 
So we changed our plans and decided to take our chance tonight. 
But first we went to the hostel and to a restaurant for a good meal. At the hotel Jeff and Sien from the extreme joint us again to ho up the cape with us. It was great to see them again.

Room with a view 

Honningsvåg harbor

Starter
After diner it was time to head for the barrier where the convoy would start. On the way up we made a little spin, but Tanguy acted perfectly so nothing happened and we just followed our way a little more careful.
At the barrier al 16 2CV’s gathered and after an inspection we joint the convoy ip at 19:30 precisely.

The way to the barrier 






And then it was time to go up the last part to the cape, without snow chains this time. I was quite nervous but it went very well.




At the Northcape we had to wait until nine before we could take the car up to the globe, but then we were finally there. Second time for us with Draakje, great to be back. Four years ago we were there in daytime, now at night. Unfortunately there was no Aurora , but it was still a very special moment.

We did it again 

16 2CV’s facing the globe




We had the save arrival drink on the Northcape this time 😊


Ofcourse a lot of pictures were made but at 21.30 it was time to get back in convoy to go down again.
We made it all save back to the hotel were most went to the living room to chat and have a drink together. Unfortunately I catched a cold so I went to bet with some Scottisch medicine and a paracetamol. 
Hopefully tomorrow the cold is gone. 










maandag 10 februari 2020

Monday 10 February: even more snow

Hetta / Enontekiö (Finland)  - Alta (Norway) 295 km


Today we had a joint breakfast to start the day, and we congratulated Claire on her birthday. Het boyfriend put up balloons for her in the breakfast room, very lovely.
We had an easy start and first headed back to the shop with the lovely lady to get Lenneke her own Kuksa. 
I bought myself some really nice gloves, and after saying goodbye to the nice lady we drove off. 

The nice lady saying goodbye to Tanguy 

My new gloves
The route for today was quite borring on the map, from Hetta is was 211 km straight on. But the snow and trucks made it challenging nevertheless. 
The road was very small and trucks refused to leave the centre of the road, leaving us only a very small stripp to pass. At one time we had to keep very right again for a truck and we drove trough the fresh snow. After the truck passed we heard this noise like our drive shaft was broken or we had at least a flat tire. So Tanguy got out of the car to have a quick look. On first sight we didn’t see major damage so we slowly drove a little further to a safer place. There we had a better look. Somehow we scooped a whole bunch of snow into the the motor area under the hood. It was everywhere and probably causing trouble. We had to take the wing of to get most of it out. The snow also ruptured the wing which probably caused the noise. 





Snow everywhere 


After we cleaned out the snow as good as possible and put the wing back in place we continued the trip. The bonking sound had gone, only the steering wheel now makes a squeaking noise when we turn. So probably there is still snow in the steering system. Hopefully this won’t cause problems if it starts freezing again.
We entered into Norway again. 

Bit of shitty picture due to snowstorm 
Weather stayed bad bur surroundings where great again. We passed more reindeer and the landscape changed every few km from flat tundra to mountains and canyons. Great to see so many different worlds in one day.



Tundra

Mountains started




Our place for tonight exists of smal 4p cabins. There is also a firehut so Tanguy and I made our diner on open fire in the hut. Very romantic.





We had cream potatoes with salmon and reindeer 
Dinner was very nice and after the drivers meeting we ended up with a lot of people in the firehut. 

Driversmeeting 

Social time in the hut