Tuesday September 1st, Setsa to Bodo

A wild sea and a grey day...again!

Today has been one of sorting out issues and we have been so impressed with the service and help that everyone has given us.

First stop was in Fauske to the motorhome sales company, who had all the information we needed. They suggested we go directly to Mercedes who have a big base in Bodo, 50 minutes away, and the same place we caught the ferry to the Lofoten Islands 10 days ago. He also checked out our gas issue and discovered that both hoses were perished, one worse than the other. So pleased that we didn’t have a disaster.  He gave us the address of a place in Fauske who would replace the hoses, and also where we could get the empty bottle refilled. Many thanks to Stian for such helpful service.

Got the bottle refilled without any hassles, then as we drove down the road to the hose company, which was on the outskirts of town we couldn’t believe our eyes to see a moose walk across the road and into the bushes and disappeared. And where was my camera…not handy enough.

The hose company had new hoses fitted within 30 minutes, again such excellent service. Stopped in town to get some bread and milk and then onto Bodo with a lunch stop on the way. The sun even came out for a while and with some odd showers. Everyone we have talked to have said what a really wet summer Norway has had, and from the time we have been here I can well understand.

Jilly got us to Mercedes without any issues, and once again a really friendly guy was out checking Ruakiwi within 5 minutes. Found that a spring on the automatic selector had just come off and was jamming the gear lever. He removed the spring and said that we could use it without and get it fixed at the end of our trip. We decided for peace of mind to get it fixed here as they were able to do it in the morning and it would be less than two hour’s work.

We chatted to the guy about a good place to overnight and he suggested to come out on the coast about 10 minutes from town where there were plenty of camping spots overlooking the ocean. The rain had come in again and it was quite windy, and when I spotted a camping ground decided to check it out and see if they had a laundry, which they did. We were certainly long overdue to do some washing! Found a sheltered spot in quite a deserted campground, and only a short walk out to the ocean which is really wild today. Noticed the ferry going over to the Lofoten’s, very pleased we weren’t going today with this wind.

Found the washing machines needed 10kr pieces, and of course, Murphy’s Law, I didn’t have any, but a nice chap in the camp gave me some to get started and said he would pick some more up for me as he was popping up to the local store. Got talking to him about taking the coast road south from here but hadn’t been able to get any parking at the downtown information centre this afternoon to pick up the ferry schedules etc. As he was popping into town later, he said he had one at his office and would bring it back for us. What friendly and helpful people the Norwegians are…and they all speak English as a second language!

Ken Andrassen arrived back early this evening and brought us the information regarding the road down the coast and we invited him over this evening for a drink. He shared so much valuable information about Norway – nothing like speaking to a local. Thanks Ken. 

Stian, from the motorhome showroom was a huge help.

Water thundering down the rocky hillsides.

Spotted this mum bringing her children home from school.
Loved the girl sitting on the back in her tutu!

Bodo is full of apartments, but not dull and dreary, but painted different colours.

Walked down to the ocean from the campground, and the sea was pretty choppy.