(Written 23rd July published 24th July due to lack of 3G or Wifi)

You will recall three days ago we decided to stay in the same place for two nights – something we haven’t done often as we’ve dashed from Southern Greece to Northern Norway. Now we’ve gone and done it again!

Since entering Finland, because of the completely unreasonable price of alcohol, Team Basil’s consumption of the hard stuff has been severely rationed. Last night, because the day had a “d” in it, as Captain I authorised the breaking out of the grog.

Our position at the head of Steinfjord was perfect. Not a cloud in the sky or a breath of wind. We sat looking out over the fjord and the mountains drinking a little something from the grog chest, as the sun sank slowly to the horizon, but not actually making it, because we are still in the land of the midnight sun. It was one of the loveliest evenings of our travels.

The Midnight Sun Steinfjord (actually 11.15pm)

When we awoke this morning, the sun was already shining and the clouds appeared to have been banished for the foreseeable future. Team Basil discussed whether to move on to explore the remaining 30 miles of the Senja Tourist Route or stay put. We quickly decided that Steinfjord on a beautiful summer’s day was about as nice a place as anyone could wish to be, so we would stay put.

Sarah and the Dogs – Steinfjord

That was before muesli wars, which threatened to shatter our domestic harmony. Sarah has a nasty habit of snacking on raisins. Well, the habit itself is not nasty, but when she runs out of raisins and raids the muesli bag, it is beyond the pale. Yesterday’s muesli incursion was all too obvious this morning when I sat down to a plate of sawdust. Yes sawdust. I suppose it helped soak up the grog. Action must be taken and I’m thinking of Tim’s special padlocked muesli bag.

The beach – Steinfjord

The rest of the day was spent sitting in our t-shirts and shorts soaking up the sun and admiring the scenery. We’ve had a walk into the village, with the vague thought of eating at the only restaurant amongst the 30 houses, but it did not look very inviting and that was not just because of the prices.

Boathouse – Steinfjord

We’ve also had a gentle amble along the lovely beach. A few hardy children have splashed in the water’s edge, but not for long. A few hardy souls have had a brief swim. I felt particularly sorry for a young lad who came to the beach with his girlfriend. She immediatel dived in an swum purposefully, what choice did he have? None whatsoever. He had to follow, but he looked none to happy and was out again in double quick time.

Steinfjord

Last night we were joined on our little spot by five other motorhomers. They have all gone now and at 7pm we are all on our own except for a couple of cars.

Steinfjord

One thing has become apparent during our short stay here, and that is the movement of the sun at this latitude. It describes an elipse in the sky. At midnight the sun is just above the horizon in the west. During the night it climbs in the sky, circling to the north and by the morning it is fairly high to the east. During the day it circle slowly from east around the south and by late evening is is falling towards the midnight lowest point in the west again. It is amazing to witness, because in the latitudes where we live the sun, of course, just rises in the east, passes across the sky to the south and sets in the west.

Basil at Steinfjord

The weather forecast is reasonably good for the next seven days and so we hope we will see the rest of these northern islands at their best and that we won’t run out of grog!