Day 36 07/08/2018
A rest day in Bodø. I woke up early and made my way into the big city. I wanted a good coffee and kebab. And yes nothing opens until 10. So I wandered around half hour and found myself having Burger King for breakfast.
Brian met me for a coffee in Melkebaren which is recommended if you are ever in Bodø. And I sat for some time to write my blog and postcards.
In the evening I met Cathrine and she took me for coffee and a short walk to catch up. We were to go to a top where you could see Saltstrumen but we never made it to the top because there was an Elk standing in the footpath. Now that was a reminder I was in Northern Norway.
Brian had some French travellers also staying so I enjoyed a home cooked meal with them.
Day 37 08/08/2018
I got on the water at the clubhouse in Bodø. Wind was forecast easterly but when I got on the water it was headwinds all day.
I paddled between small islands and channels for a break from the wind and found a lovely sandy beach for lunch, the sun was shining so it was nice to relax.
I pushed on further north against the wind to be surprised by a sea eagle swooping over me, luckily he must not have been too hungry.
I found a nice camp spot just over the water on an island from Kjerringøy. But now in the land of flies so I quickly got into my tent. The forecast was rain and it rained!
Day 38 09/08/2018
There had been a weather warning so I woke up and double checked. The winds were going to pick up to a storm from 13:00-20:00 from the south. With a 15km crossing ahead I decided to stay on land.
The island I camped on was about twenty meters from the mainland. So I paddled across before the wind picked up. I enjoyed the luxury of the guest Marina and watched out the window to make sure my tent didn't blow away.
First official bad weather day. Not bad.
Day 39 10/08/2018
The winds had been generally less in the light and winds were forecast southerly until 07:00. So I managed to get on the water for 04:30 and finish the crossing by 07:00. Not much boat traffic at this time either.
I stopped for lunch at Norskotvika and started chatting to a lady who lived there. Water sports enthusiast herself she had paddled over to Svolvær on A Stand Up Paddle board! 11 hrs that's impressive. She had now invested in a pedalo to perhaps take on the same challenge.
Winds had turned north as expected but I carried on to Holkestad where I found a lovely camp spot on the beach looking north west with a view of Lofoten in the background.
Day 40 11/08/2018
Southerly winds were forecast with a storm coming in at 18:00. I took a look over the water and it looked fine so I head out.
What was forecast southerly winds turned out to be northerly for the first part of the day. I didn't think I was going to be getting far. But I push on.
I was paddling into a fjord, taking the sheltered route so hoping for less winds as I got further I. And yes it dropped off.
I made a long diagonal crossing of the fjord to Skutvik with the wind in the back. It was foggy and the rain was bouncing off the water. But I hadn't seen a boat in hours so I thought I would be safe enough.
I get to Skutvik and where I wanted to camp looked private, so I just paddled on. Now going out of the fjord. Being aware the wind was to pick up at 18:00. This section was quite exposed and the first camp spot I found was wet and had no phone signal which I handy for checking the weather.
I look on the map and it was 10km to a small jetty so I carried on to Buvåg where there was a small hamlet. I passed a group of kayakers camping but being aware of the wind and not feeling too social I didn't stop to say hi.
Lucky enough j got to land and tent up before the wind started.
But when the wind picked up it was howling and the rain was crashing down. I needed to move my tent to a more sheltered spot, so I managed to drag it with the wind between two boathouses. Shame I forgot to take a picture.
Day 41 12/08/2018
Another bad weather day. There was heavy rainfall and wind to pick up from the north later in the day. So I decided not to take the chance and stay on land.
I went for a walk in the morning after the rain had stopped. It was possible to walk to the next headland so I did so to see what was ahead.
I then spent the rest of the day relaxing and reading a book. Bit boring really.
Day 42 13/08/2018
The wind was still northerly but it had dropped a little. The rain had stopped. So I thought worst case I could turn back. So I packed up my kayak and got on the water.
The first part of the morning the wind and waves were hitting me from the side. My body was starting to feel tired and sore.
My helmet went in the water off my back deck; tied on it almost pulled me over with the waves crashing into it. But a quick reaction with a low brace and I was fine.
On the next headland was a big lighthouse and small village where I stopped for lunch. Being only 12:00 I decided to carry on and complete the other 25km to Bognes where I was going to take the ferry to Lødingen.
It was a 20km crossing against a northerly wind which didn't sound like too much fun. So I decided to get on the ferry.
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