... for the Northern Lights and a bit late for the spectacular show the trees put on in early Autumn.

With Janecki z Krakowa, my fellow magneteer, I was posted at the last minute back to Rognan, north of the Arctic Circle, arriving as the last glimmer of sunlight climbed the wall of the Saltdalsfjorden, plunging the town into shadow.

But I can't think of many vistas to wake up to which might better this one.

We had a couple of hours free before we were due at the factory so we took a single track road as far as it went up the side of the fjord to take in the scenery. The air is so fresh and invigorating, if you could somehow bag it, someone would buy it.

On our return, as the midday sun started again to lower in the sky, we were treated to more spectacular views.

To lighten the mood, here's a 'Buddy', an all-electric 'motorised quadricycle' made in Norway and capable of up to 50mph, even without the 'go-faster' stripes. It's essentially a city car that in some jurisdictions can be parked sideways (although you'd be ill-advised to complete that manoeuvre on wheelie-bin day).

With a few hours of daylight to spare on the last day of our trip, I explored the road to Tverrik. The 813 took me up into the hills where the trees become stunted and wind-blown...

... and higher still to where the emerald-green lakes, seen on the approach to Bodø, reside.

And there at Tverrik, the road stopped. That's something to get used to in the more remote parts of Norway - you can travel for a couple of hours, but you're still going down a cul-de-sac. If you're thinking of going 'round the block', check the map first.

From my hotel room, a new addition to the dock was observed, the Nordlandsjekta 'Brodrene'. It looked a bit odd without its mast - it could be in for a re-fit - but for hearty types, bracing trips in and around Northern Norway can be had in the summer months. I found pictures of the boat on the internet - it's a fine sight in full rig.

Looking in the opposite direction, the 'Heidi', was busy with its crane, loading itself with logs as the evening drew on, hinting that it was time for supper and an early night before the rigours of the journey home. It was about 3:00am when I was woken up by a deep throbbing coming through the hotel walls. It was the 'Heidi'; she'd started her engines and by the time I went down to breakfast, she'd slipped away into the night. We caught up with her later in the morning about 40 miles away as we crossed the Tverlandsbrua, the bridge over the famous Saltstraumen maelstrom, on our way to the airport.

Back home, I had to fit all these gears and selector rods into...

... this hole here. I remember the last time I attempted this, it took almost a day until suddenly and for no particular reason, everything decided to fall into place.

I'd better make an early start then.