WoMo, Northern Lights and -30 °

Then we fly north for a few days ... and then cloudy all week ... well then longer and with a camper ... when we have a new thing that is winterproof ...

Now we have it and it gets serious - vacation and ferries are booked. Finnlines goes from Travemünde to Helsinki. This saves us almost 700 km of travel compared to the departure from Gothenburg. Since we will be on the road for 30 hours, there was a larger A4 outside cabin, the complete meal package, WiFi on board and electricity for the Mobi, all for € 602. For the return journey with Stena Line from Gothenburg to Kiel, we took the Flexticket with terrace cabin including breakfast and key buffet for € 484, because we want to keep the return date open. The Mobi has got an auxiliary heater. The decision was made to use a Webasto Thermo Top Evo (water) to preheat the engine. In addition, these are the "braces" if the built-in Alde does not or no longer likes for some reason. We will also deliberately not pair it with the Alde to have 2 independent heating systems on board, whereby it is already clear to us that the auxiliary heating cannot replace the Alde 100%. The spikable winter tires are mounted and mounted. 400 spikes are waiting to be screwed in in Finland with a cordless screwdriver. In order to make it easier for the (male) crew, hydraulic jacks were installed for plenty of euros. Matching snow chains are also available. Underbody protection and cavity sealing are also considered before Mobi is allowed to hit the streets for the first winter. The new one is considered winterproof according to DIN, equipped with hot water heating and Arctic package. There is no entry level that can freeze, nor does AddBlue. Thermal mats inside and outside are available. Additionally on board, radiator outer cover, various gas adapters, fan heater, rubber floor mats, snow shovel, snow shovel, starting aids, tow rope, jump starter cable, battery charger, telescopic ladder, broom, generator, frost protection, spare windscreen wiper, 2nd toilet cassette, replacement water pump, bucket. Additional LED lighting (work lighting) from Hella is installed for this tour with or via a special number plate holder. Mud flaps are also attached at the front and rear and the cab doors of the Ducato have been insulated, of course not without having to swap the speakers in the doors and the tweeters in the side guides of the front draw. The floor of the rear garage was lined with 10 mm thick synthetic felt, insulating mats were ordered or sewn for the roof windows and we also bought a small electric dehumidifier. Radiator antifreeze and washer fluid are adapted to the freezing temperatures. Diesel is filled up in Finland, but a flow additive is still on board. The crew has also prepared themselves to -30 ° in terms of clothing, hats, gloves, jackets, underwear, socks, ski goggles, shoes, face protection, scarves, rags (shoe spikes) and gaiters - adapted to low temperatures. The photo equipment was completed with a tripod, remote release and additional batteries. Flashlights and headlamps that emit a few more lumens were also considered. Thicker blankets and cuddly bed linen have moved in, and food and drinks are also sufficient if you have been snowed in for a few days. Deposit-free drinks or beer and cyclists were fetched in Bavaria's southern neighboring country. The champagne to toast is not missing, just like mulled wine and the rum for the grog.
The route is roughly laid out, open campsites and accommodation options have been checked and the various winter activities in the far north have been checked and noted.
We are happy and yet do not know how cold, ice, snow and darkness affect our mood. We have plenty of 4 weeks to find out. And if the aurora borealis shows itself to us, perhaps in all its glory, the original reason why we are going on this winter trip would be fulfilled.

12/12/2019
Start at km at 8,320 km

12/12/2019
We are standing at the ferry, which will depart 3 hours late due to yesterday's storm, instead of 3:00 at 6:00 in the morning. Check in now from midnight.
The passenger service had notified us of the delay by telephone, but with the WoMo, none of this is so tragic.

We got through very well today, opting for the A9, passing Berlin and Potsdam on the left towards Hamburg, Schwerin, Travemünde, which was probably the better alternative compared to the A3 and A7. With two short breaks, we needed 7 hours and 45 minutes for the 720 km.
We had a little time to wash the car again, to look at Timmendorfer Strand, Scharbeutz and the coast northwards and would rather not be with the WoMo in high season.
Now the afternoon nap will be made up and since we are at the forefront, we are sure to be woken on time for boarding the ferry or checking in.

12/13/2019 Departure Travemünde 3:00 a.m. (2:00 a.m.), so it was planned, but after the ferry did not arrive until after midnight, we only sail on it after 2 a.m. After connecting the electricity, we take our things, take a short tour on the ferry and go to our cabin. Around 4:30 a.m. we go to bed and wake up again at 7:30 a.m. We are still in Travemünde, slept 3 hours and did not get a meter forward. The visit on deck got me a break dance because of black ice. At 9 we finally leave. We have an extensive breakfast, go to afternoon nap, visit the bar and shop, watch TV and are at dinner shortly after 6:30 p.m. We have quite rough seas, walking on the ship feels like drunk, but this typical rolling of a ship in rough seas is still somewhat limited during the day. It will be different at night. Wind on deck up to 25 m / s - 90 km / h! Sleeping becomes a challenge.

12/14/2019

12/14/2019 Arrival in Helsinki was planned for 9 a.m., now it is 3:30 p.m. The sea is rough, wind force around 20 m / s, which corresponds to Beaufort 8-9 from the direction of SSO, foam crowns dance and the waves crash into the ship. The Finnstar, traveling at 22.7 knots, has adapted its route and is not past Gotland south as usual, but via the northern variant. The land in front of it keeps the wind out and for a limited time it was a bit quieter here at sea. We have an extensive breakfast, but apparently not everyone can. It's pretty empty in the restaurant this morning. The sea becomes calmer the further we get in the Gulf of Finland. We sleep another lap, look and flee from the outside deck again and bring the time around to the arrival. It takes almost an hour to get down from the ferry, somehow take the wrong one, the truck port exit, but we don't have to go through the "X-Ray" building. Helsinki is also canceled due to the delay and we immediately head north to Lahti and Jyväskylä. On the way we fill the tank for € 1.51 per liter. Finnish diesel can withstand lower temperatures, which is why fuel was no longer used in Germany despite the cheaper price. 10 km before Jyväskylä we find designated places for motorhomes and caravans with electricity at the ABC service area. We pay our price in the market, ask for AGA composite gas bottles and find what we are looking for. Fortunately, just under € 129 including the filling and our Click on adapter, which is already available in Germany, also fits. The AGA bottles are to be exchanged in Finland, Sweden and Norway, so that the gas problem, which one might inevitably have in winter on a 4-week trip to northern Scandinavia, is resolved into air or gas. We have light snow and 1 ° plus. 10 €

15.12.2019 At 6 the little marmot wakes up, the big one still sleeps soundly. Outside, the larger snowflakes dance at 0 °, here in the Mobi it is cozy and warm. We heat with electricity and the 3 kW that the Alde can provide the connection here without any problems. SAT or Astra / Hotbird except reception area, sports show and alpine panorama. But I think we will survive ? We'll have a leisurely breakfast later and then decide to screw the spikes in today. We still have daylight and with 1 ° plus fairly warm temperatures. It works quite well thanks to the built-in hydraulic supports. The hard work - 300 spikes - is done after about 1.5 hours. Another coffee and let's go. We have an appointment tomorrow at 10 am 500 km away. The streets are still black and so it is easy to gondola at 80 - 100 km / h. More is not allowed and the speed cameras are numerous. It gets dark around 3 p.m. It was quite a ride today, but tomorrow's appointment with the Polar Explorer is coming up. We doubt at 1 ° plus. that there will be an icebreaker on the way, but have so far not been rejected. The campsite in Tornio and also in Haparanda take a winter break, only the huts are open and so we land at ABC again, pay our money for accommodation and electricity, examine the offer in the supermarket and are dreaming pretty early. It is snowing harder now. 10 €

12/16/2019 The snow plow is not exactly quiet and so we are awake around 6:30 a.m., have slept soundly, do the blue hour in the WoMo (blue light in the shower) and start towards the icebreaker terminal, which is about 40 km in Swedish Side lies. With today's price of € 1.35 / l, refueling is much cheaper on the Finnish side than in Sweden, where prices of around € 1.62 are called. It snowed lightly through the night, but the streets are pushed or solid, so we are there after about 1 hour. The first buses are already there, in the end there will be 8. We discover an outlet that is occupied by us pretty quickly, get dressed really warmly, are greeted at the check-in, assigned to the green group and get the times for ship management and ice bathing. Unfortunately, the ice is not so portable that we can walk on it. After about 20 minutes the machine stops and then the various groups scurry to their appointments. The captain greets everyone on the bridge, a maximum of 5 people are allowed into the engine room at the same time and only with hearing protection. But you can also go anywhere and visit the ship without the guide. The Greens are 10:15 with bathing, jacket and pants off, hat down and in the figure-flattering orange body suit. You get help, the fit of the suits is checked and properly closed on the neck. If possible, no water should run in. Well then, into the large tub, 4 steps and then immediately lay back. I swim and it's not cold at all. Paddling with the arms only goes backwards and you don't really see where you paddle. I try to keep my head up and look where Henry is. But this is really exhausting technically. Lay it flat and let it float best. Where are you I hear shouting, they all look the same After 10-15 'everyone tries to get out, which is almost impossible without the helping hands of the crew. We are really having fun! And when you look at each other's faces, everyone feels the same way.

December 16, 2019
After the icebreaker trip we want to continue to the Arctic Circle or Santa Claus. We take it easy and make up for the missed breakfast. Despite the really warm clothes, we are also pretty cold and so it is half past two until we start. It has been snowing all day and so a wonderful winter landscape presents itself to us.

In Rovaniemi we only stop north of the city at Santa Claus and the Arctic Circle.
I am flashed by the atmosphere, the lighting, the music, the decorations, the freshly fallen snow. The children romp and sled.
We are visiting the post office, Christmas mail will no longer be accepted for 2019, the mailbox already says 2020. So the cards in the normal. A few small souvenirs for those who stayed at home and then we look for Santa Claus. Actually, he has already finished work after 10 '(Santa Claus - after work?) But we can still be the last to the photo shoot. A few words, the photo and then he has to go. He still visits the children in the local hospital today.
The last time in 2015 we did without the photo, but now that there are grandchildren there must be a picture of Grandma and Grandpa with Santa!

12/16/2019 Right across from Santa Claus Village we find another place with a power connection at the Shell petrol station, which is still fairly quiet for petrol station conditions. We are done, both! It has stopped snowing and is slowly getting colder. 15 €

17.12.2019 Somehow no trace of senile bed escape here, we sleep deeply, firmly and completely relaxed, I until about 7 a.m., Henry until after 8. We take it easy and only start after one. Finish the Snow Village near Kittilä. It starts snowing again and the streets change lane black to completely white. We are immersed in an ever wintry landscape. Through the washboard-like frozen snow, it rattles and clatters in the closets like I've never heard before. The rumble in the fridge is eliminated on the way with the quick-grip towels as upholstery. Ice slowly forms on the windshield wipers and the windscreen, so we stop at the rest area and remove it. But meticulously prepared by paths. There is no ice scraper in the car! But we're at the gas station. Henry drives up to 60-70-80 until, yes, I suddenly cry out. CAUTION! Reindeer. Full braking with ABS insert. Phew, that was close. They are stoic and, despite the light and the horns, do not move an inch from the street. But we think all 4 have remained intact and we didn't hear any unpleasant noises from the WoMo. From now on, four eyes look hard and concentrated on the street. We arrived at the Snow Village around 4 p.m. and had been considering whether to accept the detour, but the decision was exactly the right one. What is conjured up here from snow and ice is impressive art. It is still under construction as the temperatures have simply not played along in recent weeks. Every room is different, there is a slide made of ice, a labyrinth made of ice, the chapel, the disco, the bedrooms, everyone different, the restaurant and the ice bar. And of course we treat ourselves to a drink and take 2 of the ice shot glasses with us, which are now in our freezer. Absolutely worth seeing!

12/17/2019
We are still 25 km from the Snow Village to Äkäslompolo. The trip takes you past the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park and the Ylläs Ski Resort. You can clearly feel that, apart from Rovaniemi, it is becoming more touristy. The trees along the outskirts of the road are illuminated every few 100 m, which looks fantastic due to the thick layer of snow on the branches.
We turn into the campsite in Äkäslompolo, it is not too busy, but it is open and we are pleasantly done again.
It has stopped snowing and at only -4 ° we do without mattresses again.

€ 43.50

12/18/2019 Around 7:30 a.m. we climb two out of the bunk. It snowed 10-15 cm all night long and with -9 ° it got colder too. First work pushing snow - we clear the way - from the WoMo to the sanitary building after 2 pairs of socks are wet. But you could also put on boots. We are on a winter hike to the local, really well stocked supermarket, the snow crunches under our boots and the sun on the horizon pretends to rise. But she doesn't make it. We start shortly before one after we finish breakfast and household. The first 50-60 km we have quite heavy snowfall and snow-covered roads. I take my hat off to my driver, who is not quite as relaxed as is usually behind the wheel, but copes very well. Even the snowboard-like snow that has collapsed shakes everything up again. But refrigerators and other furnishings have undergone an anti-rattle cure today. We want to fill up, but the fuel filler flap doesn't open and has to be defrosted using the handle of the newly acquired ice scraper. Later it gets better with the road conditions and we make it again with 70-80 km / h. The reindeer welcomes us again today, luckily only on the side of the road. We land at the campsite around 5, today is the first time that the ISO outer mat is placed on the cab. We're brewing coffee, I'm starting to write the blog, Henry wants to deal with the camera right now, because the sky is clear and the likelihood of northern lights is increasing, he comes in from outside. Come quickly, come quickly - that could be the first. A gray band runs across the sky, at first you think it comes from a chimney. But what looks like smoke changes color and turns green. We quickly get warm and out in the -12 °. It begins weakly, with a dancing line, others follow, it moves and changes, sometimes it becomes a little pink, the green is sometimes weak, sometimes intense, sometimes like a cloud, then again like a line. It wobbles and we are happy like the little children. Since we had not yet finished the camera and the spectacle almost surprised us, the cell phone has to serve. At -12 ° it works pretty well or in the fingers. Again and again they disappear into gloves or jacket pockets, but the sky looks different again. After about 45 'the dance in the sky subsides and we urgently need to warm up. The tingling sensation in my fingers from the cold is painful now. Later when we finally finished the camera, the sky closed again. We're going to bed. 32 €

12/19/2019
Full of impressions of the Northern Lights yesterday, we start shortly after eleven today.
At the roundabout, the signpost Murmansk shows us 303 km, but we prefer to stay in the direction of Norway.

When the diesel tank is filled up again, it is time to empty the waste water tank. Draining over gulli is difficult, everything is frozen over. Apparently we still have to play sewage taxi. We are postponing the topic for now. Refilling water is not an issue.

It accompanies us in a winter landscape, howling beautiful. The temperatures fluctuate between -6 and -15 °. The reindeers also say hello again and the sun on the horizon shows that they exist. It doesn't open, but it does bring a fantastic light, which reminds me of the Alpine glow in the Dolomites.

We cross the border to Norway, nobody controls, nobody there. Shortly thereafter traffic jam - traffic jam in the north - impossible! - and yet, we stand, wait and find out a few minutes later that a herd of reindeer will cross the street. They take their time and so we can still go through quickly.

We decide in Karasjok, where the night will be -22 °, against the local open campsite. It is just before 2 p.m. and so we drive a few km further to the campsite in Lakselv, for the first time on this trip we are at the fjord.
The nice lady welcomes us in a friendly way and remembers immediately that I had asked by email whether it was open. She cannot believe that spring temperatures are currently prevailing in Germany.

She has already ordered the snow remover, but it will take some time. So we or Henry take the snowplow in our own hands and a few minutes later we are in perfect shape.

Here, too, -18 ° are announced, so that today the sleeping pad comes on again.
With coffee and cake, we observe from the warmth how the snow remover does its job later.

Around 8:00 p.m. we are in the cold again, this time the camera is ready. Aurora is much weaker than yesterday and somewhat more diffuse, but it's there. We test with ISO, exposure time and aperture and get the best results with ISO 1600 and 8 -15 sec.

We have almost clear skies and -10 °

NOK 270

12/20/2019 It is really cold today, although it is only 13 ° minus, but the icy wind makes it feel like 23 ° minus according to the Norwegian weather report. We have light ice edges on the build-up windows, especially where the blackout was closed at night. Nevertheless supply and particularly urgent disposal must be. The display of the waste water tank flashes every now and then and the control panel starts to spin. Our mood also drops briefly below freezing, since we suspected a technical defect in the electrical system when the first beeping and blinking. How good it is that it's just a full wastewater tank. We ask ourselves at the campsite and various petrol stations and get the tip to drain the sewage with a hose in the car wash. We dispose of it and it feels a bit like urgent pee. The only alternative would really be a sewage taxi. The floor inlets are firmly in the hands of ice and snow. The sun is calling again, I'm here, I'm here. We drive along the Porsangerfjord, the memories of the North Cape summer trip of 2015 accompany us, and yet this trip is completely different. Sometimes it is really smooth and for the first time the streets are a bit scattered. We stop in Honningsvåg, the northbound Hurtigruten ship, the Richard With is about to cast off and it gets quiet in the village immediately. You go shopping here with a pedal sled - also known as a spark. I would be happy to transport you to the rear garage, but we either have strewn snow or no snow at all, so it would almost never be used. Too bad. We take a tour with the WoMo in the village and come to a stop at the tourist information. We are also hungry and so we think of the king crabs or the King Crab House. A short time later there is a good portion of King Crabs and a Mack beer in front of us for an equally "decent" price. The columns to the Nordkapp start from the Skarsvåg junction at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. for the so-called Aurora Tour. In the latter, nothing opened upstairs, the northern lights forecasts say there is nothing clever for our location with an 8% probability, but we still start.

20.12.2019 In addition to us, there are a few cars and what do we discover, despite the poor northern light forecasts, northern lights. They are getting more intense and now quickly rising. But without a snow flight in front, the barrier remains closed for the time being. There are still 15 km in column traffic and the snow flight is at a fairly fast pace. What luck, we are on the North Cape, there is no wind, there are no extreme temperatures with -6 °, it is clear sky, it does not rain and snow and Aurora shows what she can do. We cannot believe it. The tripods are lightning fast and everyone is focused. It gets under the skin and burns itself deeply on the hard disk. 9:45 p.m. the convoy returns, everyone is satisfied. We turn left at the meeting point of the column and come to our sleeping place in Skarsvåg harbor.

12/20/2019 We stand there quietly and idyllic. Tomorrow we want to go up again with the 11 o'clock column. It has only -3 ° and here on the east side of the island between the mountains it is windless. So we can go to bed without a power cut.

12/21/2019 8:10 a.m., I can't remember the last time I got up so late. It has -5 ° and clear sky, the moon shows itself as a sickle and behind the mountains it is slowly getting lighter. The fishermen are out with their boats and there is definitely no hustle and bustle here. We are on time at the column meeting point and take the 11 o'clock column with another 5 cars. Arrived at the top today, because the Nordkapphallen are also open. Shortly in front of the ticket booth, a mini slope causes us problems. So get out, wave the car back or over to start. I can still hear the comment from the driver's seat - maybe should have left a little more space. OK, we're showing our Royal North Cape Club membership cards and listening to a welcome back. We're in the cinema and we both don't really know if it's the same film as 2015. We rummage through the souvenir shop and look back at the globe. It has started to snow and the column with the Hurtigruten buses arrives at 12 o'clock. It gets full around the ball. We take back the 1 pm column and are on the way to Alta. On the way we have to pass 2 passes that deserve this name here at altitudes above 200 m above sea level. At least the signs with the height are there. It is getting colder, -15, -20, -25, and at -29 the lowest point has been reached. We decide to refuel for safety, but at -20 ° freezing without a glove the fingers on the nozzle. It is REALLY cold.

12/21/2019 An open campsite awaits us, we have been announced and are greeted in a friendly and curious manner, we quickly turn on the power, put the sleeping mat on it, extend the supports and get back into the warmth. Then my male motorhome management comes up with the idea of screwing in the remaining spikes, which he does then at -20° it does too. OK, as long as I don't have to go out with you ?250 NOK

22.12.2019 We decide to drive through to Tromsø in one go and therefore take the two ferries that shorten the route by 140 km and start a bit earlier than usual. Our kiddies are on vacation there and so we can spend a few more days together, before they fly back. It is getting warmer and we will soon see no minus in front of the number. The car is slowly defrosting. The thick chunks of ice fall off on the ferry, which we reach in a minute. At 4 ° plus we arrive in Tromsø. At the parking space we meet for coffee and cake, which I saved from Germany to here. In the Northern Lights from 7 p.m. we set out to take the mountain railway to the viewpoint high above the city. Tripod and camera are included, but the sky does not open up. We comfort ourselves with reindeer burgers, glögi and hot chocolate. No northern lights today and so we take the train at 10:30 p.m. and return to the parking space. With beers and schnapps from the depths of the rear garage, it gets very late or early.

December 23, 2019

12/23/2019

Our two have booked the tour to the Tromso Ice Dome for today and we want to join. Booked out online, I inquire by email. Unfortunately fully booked, a short time later another answer. 2 have canceled. Does that have to be the case that there is also hectic pace in the early morning on vacation?

A short time later we also sit in the modern coach, which takes us to the mountains in 1.5 hours.
We leave the WoMo on the expensive parking space. Over 24 € would be shelled out for 24 hours, the only cheaper alternative is the parking lot directly at Polaris for 395 NOK / 24h. I pay via app, it doesn't hurt so much ;-)

We arrive at the Ice Dome around 12 and are warmly welcomed. Everyone gets a yellow babberl and shortly afterwards it is shown in the Ice Kino how such a snow dome is created by inflating a balloon and snowing with artificial snow (since firmer), how the artists carve the figures and how the ice is harvested in a Finnish lake. Really interesting. What is conjured up out of the ice here is fantastic. A small welcome drink from the ice schnapps glass and then we can feed 4 young reindeer, 6 months old. Initially shy, the food lures and they actually come to the fence.

Back again, we find that the Christmas shopping stress is far less pronounced here and move to the campsite where we stay over Christmas.
So far the best equipped place with a fairly new and modern sanitary block.
NOK 325 per day

We later take the bus to the center to pay a visit to the Ølhallen (Øl = beer) today. We try different types between 4.5 and 11% in the northernmost brewery, founded by a German compatriot named Ludwig Mack. We sit comfortably, maybe a few minutes too long, and after finally knowing which direction and where the right stop is, we reach the last bus at 0:13.

12/24/2019

I need to talk to my family doctor. Found a recipe for senile bed escape and sleep disorders, nothing from Ratiopharm - a North Cape trip in winter.
I (!) Get up at 11:38 a.m.
Ok, maybe the beer was involved.

Now we have to hurry up, at 13:15 we want to meet at the Arctic Cathedral to attend the Christmas service together at 2 p.m.

It becomes very contemplative, but the sermon also laughs. We don't know why, because we don't understand it. You can read the lyrics on the screen and I'm deeply touched by Glade Jul, Hellige Jul (Silent Night, Holy Night).

On a short winter hike we return to the WoMo, where we can end the Christmas evening together.

Gud Jul

It rains at 3 ° plus.

12/25/2019

12/25/2019

In the morning we are still working on the additional light and at least the current is already inside.
Later we start the trip over to Sommarøy. Great sandy beaches await us and the typical Norwegian island world. It is a bit too fresh for bathing, so we leave it looking for shells with a headlamp and coffee in the WoMo.
The streets and especially the parking lots are as smooth as glass, only partially scattered, but the spikes are very helpful again.

We are still sitting together comfortably, Northern Lights due to cloud-covered sky nonexistent, and so we leave work early today.

We're already in bed when we hear an Ahh and Ohh - Northern Lights alarm from outside. So get out of bed again and peel on. They are not so strong today and the nearby city has a lot of extraneous light. Still, it's a fascinating moment every time.

12/26/2019

The camping site here in Tromsø is luxury, modern and clean sanitary, kitchen, common room, café, washing machine, dryer as well as sensible supply and disposal with heated floor inlet for Northern Norwegian conditions. Freshly made again, we take our two to the airport in Tromsø.

We are driving through the mountains towards Narvik, grandiose mountain panoramas like landscape paintings, kitschy beautiful, especially since the sky is clear and this crazy light shows us the way. The temperature drops to -22 ° C.

On the way we see on the display of the Duo-Control that our gas bottle bought in Finland has to be all. We stop at the fuel tank, AGA composite bottles are in stock, but our gas lock door lock is deep-frozen. Lighter does not help just like door lock deicers. We leave it with the gas for today.
Since we have heated a lot with electricity, most connections are also well secured and the 3 kW of the Alde were sufficient, the first gas bottle is used up after 12 days.

Solbakken Camping looks very closed, so on to the polar park. At -20 ° a power connection would not be bad. Those at Polarpark hibernate in mountains of snow and until we have cleared them, New Year's Eve is over. So on.

12/26/2019 Not far from the polar park we see Øse-Camping on the right. That looks pretty lit. We're already over, turn around. The building is locked, but there is space and electricity for us. You should call, I hesitate since it's Christmas and decide to wait until tomorrow morning. Before this happens, we see the light in the reception and we check in. We are greeted very friendly and asked curiously our way. Wouldn't we like to stay until New Year's Eve? 200 NOK Since we now have electricity, the hair dryer can thaw the lock of the gas box to be able to take out the bottle and swap it tomorrow. Around 6:00 p.m. both of us close our eyes and we decide - nap time. But it is clear, KP value and Aurora probability are increasing (KP = indicator of geomagnetic activity in my region). The aurora oval approaches us. Shortly after 7 p.m. I sit and watch the night sky, already worth seeing without the northern lights. Then it doesn't take long for the first gray veils to become visible. It changes constantly, sometimes weakly, sometimes intensely, sometimes deep green, sometimes with reddish edges, sometimes above us, sometimes more on the horizon. It is dancing and we are watching with fascination. After 2 hours we are frozen and disappear into the box. Good night Aurora, you seem to like us.

12/27/2019 Actually it should go to Lofoten today. We don't want to do storms and constant rain for Saturday and Sunday, so Lofoten is removed from the program. We now have time for Narvik, its war museum and its fish hall before we turn towards Sweden. It is 1 p.m. before we start. At the first tank we try to change our gas bottle, which works without problems. For 299 NOK we have 11 kg more on board. Fiskehallen lukket (closed) War museum left out. We are on our way to Kiruna via the fells. Suddenly an unpleasant squeak from one of the wheels. Braking in different variants is not enough to get rid of the stone somehow, so we stop and look. We'll get rid of him after all. On the way we reach -24 °, in Kiruna it is 10 ° warmer. We stock up in the supermarket at more reasonable prices than in Norge and reach the actually closed campsite around 6 p.m.

12/27/2019

Yesterday we asked if the campsite might be open and got a positive answer. Today again a cancellation due to the amount of snow and unoccupied parking spaces, 2-3 hours later another confirmation for 2 days. When we arrive, the check-in takes a little longer, because the person who gave the promise has to be called first and enters the reservation (actually the place is closed in winter). We are offered tea or coffee for waiting and we accept.

We are still booking the superior snowmobile tour for tomorrow and disappeared into the WoMo a short time later.

12/28/2019It's time to get up early today, the alarm goes off at 7 a.m. We will be picked up at reception at 9am. There are six of us in the minibus and we are heading west. On the way we repeatedly see moose on the side of the road, probably 20 of them on the 50 km journey. They are the first on this tour that we spot in the wild. You can see them easily through the snow. At the end of the road we come to a farm and change the vehicle(s). Not without putting another layer on top of your already warm clothes. At the end of the clothing procedure I have 2 x Merino underwear, 1 pair of ski socks, 1 pair of knitted socks, the Sorel boots suitable for temperatures down to -40° including foot warmers, fleece jacket, ski jacket and trousers, thermal overalls, fleece neck warmer, baklava, helmet with face protection, 1 Pair of thin gloves and one pair of thick ones. I feel like a Michelin man and can hardly move anymore. It's -6°. We start with a short briefing and then 3 guest snowmobiles, the guide snowmobile in front and the daddy snowmobile at the back are on the road in the Swedish winter. And what a winter, trees, paths covered in deep snow, lakes frozen and also covered in snow, mountains glaciated and white, all framed by the northern Scandinavian winter light, which I learned to love so much on this tour. Here there are only snowmobile trails with crossings indicated by signs, which are hiking trails in summer. Welcome to the Swedish winter outback. We stop at Enok's Restaurang in the middle of solitude. After warm coffee we continue out onto the lake. We leave fresh (snowmobile) tracks, stop and get the ice drill out. In no time, 4-5 holes are drilled and the mini ice fishing rods are in use. And after a short time a fish actually bites. Everyone is surprised because no one really expected it. We drive for quite a while, now at higher speeds, first on the lake, then back on the snowmobile trails and suddenly end up back at the restaurant. After delicious reindeer goulash and a little quiz about the Nordic flora and fauna, in which we unfortunately only got 3 out of 10 questions correct, we head back to the homestead. Everything, including cooking food, takes place without having electricity, because it went out in the entire valley yesterday and hasn't been running again yet. It's good that there is always a flashlight in your luggage. We thank Dad, the cook and ragpicker, and our guide Andreas takes us back to Kiruna. We arrive around 3 p.m. and are once again happy to have invested the pocket money.

12/28/2019

Now the additional LED light is on again. Cables, switches and plugs for the cigarette lighter, now everything is ready and the first test is done - tomorrow. If we now switch on the ignition, the supports retract ?.

29.12.2019 We start comfortably, it is just below 0 ° and the sky is clear. Yesterday we received a lot of information from Guide Andreas about Kiruna, the surrounding area and nature. The place, which lives from the world's largest iron ore mine, is currently being rebuilt a few kilometers to the east. The current city falls victim to the mine. Since the high-quality iron ore has a particularly high magnetite content, here in Kiruna is the second strongest magnetic anomaly on earth. Fortunately, we don't feel anything. The mountain Kebnekaise, near which we were yesterday, is the highest mountain in Sweden at around 2100 m and a popular hiking area. And what we see today when driving on country roads, the black garbage bags on the boundary posts. These are not caught by the wind, but are deliberately attached. Special care should be taken at these points due to the moose and reindeer. After yesterday we were almost irritated by the amount of animals left and right of the street, we somehow automatically take the speed out. You can always see carcasses lying on the side of the road and also animals in the forest. You should pay attention to the warning signs, the end of the partially erected moose fences, the traces of the animals in the snow and the hanging garbage bags and also take them seriously. Our daily stage is not so long today, it is bright in northern Sweden, the traffic is light and we keep looking out. We only see one moose today, but many reindeer. On the way the additional light test - perfect - but unfortunately it is still bright. Once in Gällivare, we take the branch to the Dundret Lapland ski area, where a mixture of parking and camping is to become our home today. Just somehow to find no reception and far too much space. Every WoMo driver knows the back and forth caused by this. When we finally found a place sheltered from the wind, I felt like I was looking for a reception over half of the ski mountain, sinking waist deep in the snow, standing in the way on the slopes and then asking at the yellow ski pass house. Bingo, but we are standing on a booked spot ? Then again ... Around 16:15 the lights go out - on the ski slopes. Apres ski doesn't seem to be known here, it quickly gets quiet. 250 SEK

12/30/2019

It blew us through the night with a violent icy wind. In the evening rain, later snow we get up at almost spring-like -1 °. The sun shows us again that it is behind the horizon, the colors in the sky are a spectacle and it is exactly this light that touches deeply.

We start around noon and on the way it shows itself briefly on the horizon for the first time.

I can't get enough of the winter landscape and sky. The reindeer also accompany us on this stage and, as we now know, black warning garbage bags have a decelerating effect.

Our daily stage has a comfortable 100 km today. In Jokkmokk we buy frozen fish and reindeer, the freezer is now empty. We can't stop by the kallrökt Renstek (cold-smoked reindeer ham) and the warm rökt also goes into the shopping basket this time.
We don't trust the blodpudding (yet), but according to Google it should be a kind of blood sausage.

A few km south of Jokkmokk we briefly cross the Arctic Circle, but the place to sleep is less idyllic in winter, since only the path directly on the street is cleared of snow and the electricity columns are also taped.

Then better go back to the campsite in Jokkmokk, so that we can cross the Arctic Circle again tomorrow.

With us there is a pickup with an add-on cabin far behind, otherwise we have the space to ourselves. The sauna is running and I sit a few minutes later sweating alone in the Sani-Saunahaus. Then it's all alone, but somehow not fun.

Later there is a motorhome and a caravan team with whom we start talking. Some go on a winter vacation with the children and the caravaner wants to go all the way up to the North Cape. They have a lot of time and are happy that the barrier is open and a few power columns are running. The reception has been closed since 4 p.m.

I ask the places that are in question, 2-3 days in advance by email to whether they are open or not. You shouldn't rely on what is in apps and catalogs regarding opening times. We are also relatively little free on this trip. Many idyllic places are not accessible due to the snow and the existing power connection saves us having to swap gas bottles all the time. Has not been checked in terms of costs, but it is simply convenient. In addition, the spaces are so empty that you often have space and sanitary facilities to yourself. And we don't have the moisture from the shower in the hut. It has proven itself so well for this trip.

Now after Christmas and further south there are more campers on the road, all types. From the VW bus with pop-up roof in Kiruna at -14 °, panel vans, drop-down cabins, partially and fully integrated, alcoves, with and without raised floors. Everything is possible, is probably only a question of comfort.

SEK 270

31/12/2019

The getting up has now settled between half past and around 8. We take it easy again.

The caravanners, who were so happy to have electricity last night, have 8 gas bottles on board. They bought four or five here in Sweden. Unfortunately, I didn't get a suitable adapter. The roof air conditioning system that they have on board also heats, but not sufficiently at -12 ° and certainly not comfortably warm. Now we also know why they were so happy with the current. He didn't get a suitable adapter in the hardware store this morning and everything is closed this afternoon.
We think for a moment and check our adapters brought with us for all eventualities. And lo and behold, the required one is included and we can help you. They are very happy to say thank you.

We find a floor drain on the square and do the camping work. When we start it is half past eleven.

Today we only implement in Arvidsjaur, 160 km away, known for the winter car test centers. But now nothing happens between the years, the local airport, which is probably completely deserted in the summer, only starts operating in mid-January.

On the way we cross the Arctic Circle for the last time, stop again for the obligatory photo, but otherwise there is nothing, in contrast to the E6 in Norway and the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, nothing at all except the sign.
The reindeer are still numerous and only shortly before Arvidsjaur do you see no garbage bags and hardly any traces.

The sky spoils us with rainbow colors in constantly changing "sky holes". A new spectacle for us that you just can't get enough of.

In Arvidsjaur we land at Camp Gielas, where there is actually a bit more going on. The campers here have plenty of their snowmobiles with them and have fun on their rounds, just like we do on a motorcycle in summer.
They often switch completely from car to snowmobile in winter, or they have it on the trailer, which then stands somewhere on the roadside when they make their laps.

I lie down for an afternoon nap at four, somehow have the feeling that a cold could creep up on me and enjoy my warm trap.

We'll have a good time later with roulades, potatoes and red cabbage and then switch to mulled wine.
We are on the phone with our loved ones and about an hour later I am lying in bed chubby with chills. Super ?
And since it is no fun toasting with myself, my love comes with me.

Happy new year and have fun!

01/01/2020

Yesterday's chills have turned into headache and sore throat and I feel like mud. We think about staying one more night, but then we start. I sleep through most of the way. Only the reindeer braking maneuvers startle me.
The route is a bit of a jog today, something is clattering in the fridge again, but due to my poor health I don't have to go looking for anything today. Thank you.

The snow gets the further south we get less and it has 6 ° plus. The campsite here has a large ice surface, it has snowed, thawed, frozen, rained. We are considering whether we will go down the small slope to the lake shore or whether we will come back up there tomorrow. We leave it at first, but when we hear that Cheffe has a tractor if necessary, we stand directly on the water or the frozen lake and watch the snowmobiles having fun out there.

It freezes me violently, even though the display has 22 ° in here and I see that it only helps the bed.

A short time later, Cheffe arrives, cashed in with a reader directly on the motorhome. The men toast a glass, I can still hear something from the “moose” (moose) that are out here on the lake at dusk - and fell asleep.

280 SEK

01/02/2020

No "mosses" to be seen on the lake today.

We made it backwards from our current water property without the promised Bulldog of the boss. A bit difficult, but we're up there. Now a little run-up to get on the road, and then we are heading south again.

An even worse rumble slope than yesterday awaits us for the first 80-90 km. It has plus degrees and some of the ice sheets on the street are gone, some are not. Some are scattered, some are not. Only after Strömsund is the ice almost entirely off the street. But only from the main street. All side streets, parking lots and sidewalks are suitable for ice skating.

In Östersund we stop at the Tvättautomat, a washing facility that also has washing places for vehicles up to 3.40m high. Only the machine does not want the Swedish coins, which later reveal themselves to be Norwegian. In Sweden you want to get rid of cash and that's the way it is here. It is only a card with which you then get a washing card. A nice Swede helps us with the translation and operation. We washed the WoMo thoroughly for 45 SEK (approx. 4.30 €!), Now we have a Swedish washing card with a value of 55 SEK. Booking back is of course not possible. At this place there is also a dog washing facility with a basin and shower, which works on the same principle. We have not tested whether shampoo is coming.

We check in at the campsite in the south of the city for 2 days and park with the vehicle so that the door opens wherever it is scattered. All other reasons in which direction and whether right or left of the parking space are absolutely irrelevant.

The city tour and the visit to the Woolpower outlet will probably take place tomorrow with spikes on your shoes.

01/03/2020

I'm feeling better again and so we take the bus to the center around half past eleven.
In Sweden, the only way to pay in buses is by card. We haven't used a Krone cash so far and were happy to get rid of the 500 SEK we still had here at the campsite.

A nice town with a cozy pedestrian zone awaits us, hike a little along the lake Storsjön, which is icy and almost deserted. Every step needs to be carefully considered, although there has been a lot of scattering, but it is always mirror-smooth.
It is quiet in the city and you can feel that the Christmas holidays are not over here. We take a look everywhere and later we'll be back on the bus to the Woolpower factory outlet. Unfortunately, my arms are too short for everything I try. Doesn't seem to be my brand. The WoMo Chef finds what he is looking for and the second choice with small errors means that the price is perfectly reasonable.

In the Woolpower outlet there is a corner with Gränsfors axes, of which we always have a copy on board. A visit to the Gränsfors Bruk smithy was actually planned, but since there are company holidays until January 7th, we will save this easy detour.

The bus drivers also struggle with the black ice, it was only cm that prevented the impact, but we arrive safely at the campsite stop. Before we swing into the motorhome, we start a visit to the supermarket a few meters away and cover ourselves for the next 2-3
Days with fresh one. At the meat counter we inspect a piece of meat, I generously translate reindeer innards, apparently smoked. We ask and we are right. When asked if we want to taste, the seller hears Nej Nej from both of us at the same time and with a smile we say goodbye to her. We get the same smile back.

When we got back around 4 p.m. we were somehow exhausted, so after coffee and cake it's time for an afternoon nap.

04.01.2020

Again, we don't stress early in the morning, sit around 8 for coffee, have breakfast around half past 10, start around 11, not without tipping warm water over the driver's side leg supports that stand in the ice.
We are still considering whether we can drive the 300 km to Mora in one go or whether we will spend the night halfway there.

The streets are ice-free and, apart from a few km, are in relatively good condition. So to Lake Siljan.

12 km after Östersund stop at the Fiskebutik. Inevitable and very positive for the mood of the WoMo crew ?
After about an hour we have a complete range of ice fish on board, ice fishing, ice ladle, ice drill, foot and hand warmers and nice orange glubber fish. Fortunately not real, but the worms that were there are real and now in the fridge.
Only that we are traveling in the wrong direction. The ice is getting thinner and the snow less. Not too bad, we'll be back in the next winter. Definitely.
We have a long and pleasant conversation there, we are asked about where and from where and curious, the shop owner listens to us. He scolds the weather and cannot remember when it was so warm in January. Trondheim had to give the days 19 ° plus. Usually it is around 10-15 ° minus around the time and everything is covered in deep snow and the lakes are frozen over. Then on Saturday, like today, there will be at least 3 snowmobiles at the door and people will buy from him. Today we are probably the first and he seems to be seriously worried about his sales.

When we roll down the mountain just before Lake Siljan, the snow is past and ice on the lakes is history.

We still want to go to the MoraKniv outlet, but somehow we no longer have a feeling for the day of the week and time. We arrive in Nusnäs at half past three, it is Saturday, since 2:00 p.m., tomorrow it is Monday, Monday, when there is a holiday in Sweden (closed). Also in Mora the concept store only opens again on Tuesday at 10. So no knives. This is how you save money.

At the small harbor in Nusnäs you can stand idyllically with the WoMo, right on the lake and when we arrive with a top-class sunset. We are alone here, but at 0 ° ne we have quite icy stiff breezes that subside later in the evening.

0 €

05/01/2020

It is slightly below freezing, there is no wind and the sun is rising, which conjures up light effects in the sky again.

Since the snow left us, the spikes come out today. This works pretty well on the front axle, the rear axle doesn't like to let the little titanium things out. They are now sitting quite deep and there is also dirt on the tire, which makes gripping with the special tool difficult. But at some point they are all out and we haven't lost any either.

When we start the wind is refreshing again. On the way, it starts to snow and it is vacationer return travel from the snow areas in the north. Accordingly, we are making slow progress and will only land in Kristinehamn after 5 p.m. We head for the parking space there at the harbor and are warmly greeted by Tommy here in German. The snow has turned into rain and so we first make ourselves comfortable in our hut.

230 SEK

01/06/2020

01/06/2020

It is eight again before someone crawls out of bed here. Rain and wind have said goodbye and at 4 ° it looks quite friendly.
We start an extensive visit to the nearby Coop before breakfast. At first we wanted to stay one more night, but until we are done with everything, an unpleasant drizzle has spread, which will make our planned walk invalid. We start around two.

We stop in Sjötorp on the Göta Canal. We know the locks from previous visits. In winter there is no lock, the canal museum is closed, all restaurants around and so there is nothing going on here except a lot of parking space and quiet.

In Mariestad we come to the parking space - in winter more a parking lot - at the port to the stop. We are alone in the huge square except for a few parked boats.

Our smartphone calendar reminds us - wedding day. Let's see if we can find a nice place for dinner here.


0 SEK (parking lot in winter)

07/01/2020

It's slowly going home and I'm awake at 6 point. All right, I get up. When I look out of the Mobi, 2 (Easter) bunnies greet me. They play and jump and tell me - you see - it's good that you're already awake.

We are slowly coming to the end of our trip and starting to review the days.

We are deeply relaxed and well rested, as we haven't done for years. How we can get back into the normal routine is still a mystery to me at the moment.

We were very lucky with the weather. In the north, deepest glorious winter, snow that couldn't be whiter, clear skies and no extreme temperatures below 30 ° minus. In the middle there was a lot of black ice and an abnormal winter like the locals haven't had for years. Almost spring-like weather in the south.

We have learned that the polar night is not completely dark and has given us plays of light in the sky that cannot be more beautiful.
We were able to enjoy the aurora borealis enchanted five times on our trip. Images that are burned deeply on the hard drive. Most intense the first time in Ivalo, green with red and white borders. The whole sky danced above us, moved like a fairy throwing a veil over you. Crazy - enchanting - fascinating - mystical - until the fairy says, that's enough, you're already completely frozen.
To catch a clear starry sky at the North Cape is really lucky and then to have northern lights there too - madness.

The lowest temperature we had was -29 ° C. It's cold, really cold. Gloves are mandatory when refueling! How might -40 ° feel, which we could well have had.
The side windows of the Ducato slowly freeze at below -25 ° and the clutch becomes very stiff. Otherwise the technology has done its job just fine.
In our opinion, spikes are essential, the outdoor thermal mat would have been enough for this trip.
The snow shovel was used more often and the metal footstep is super helpful when knocking off the boots, which were also still swept away in order to drag in as little moisture as possible.
The humidity wasn't a problem at all, but we didn't cook or shower very much in the RV and were happy to use the amenities of a campsite. You can simply warm up longer in the shower or sauna if you are frozen deep. You can use the kitchen and lounge. You have electricity. In our case, this saved us from having to swap gas bottles for 2-3 days, as we can heat with electricity.
We bought a composite bottle in Finland on the first day - luckily we also got the right adapter - and so far we have exchanged this bottle in Norway. The DuoControl is still green.
The Webasto Thermo Top parking heater has proven itself very well when preheating the engine and the jacks are a huge gain in comfort - for screwing in and unscrewing the spikes and the limited choice of parking spaces. Compensation wedges are useless for such a trip, at some point they will be frozen or broken. The places are often icy and not always pushed.

We actually wanted to go back to the sea today, possibly Marstrand parking space. But since there should be wind peaks of 8-9 Bft during the night, we stay a little further inside the fjord and have found a nice campsite. We stand super sheltered from the wind and still have a view of the sea. A worthy place for the end of our trip.

270 SEK

01/08/2020

At 7:30 a.m. 9 ° plus. The night the stormy wind blew from the Skagerak over the coast. But the nice girl at the reception yesterday picked us out from the wind, where we still have a view of the fjord. Did it well.
We have been looking at the Alpine panorama for a long time and are in the mood for at home.

Somehow clothes are too much on board.
Closed garden crogs, sneakers, crogs or flip-flops for showering and 2 pairs of boots - normal cold and extremely cold. We did not use the spikes, but should be on board for such trips. We had the ski suits with and also a down jacket, down vest and windproof breathable rain jacket. Thermal or wind / water-repellent pants and underwear in 2-3 different heat levels, thick (knitted) socks, different hats, gloves, neck warmer. As a mid-layer fleece jacket or sweater. Foot and hand warmers are also helpful.

Flashlights and headlamps are indispensable, as is the additional light on the car.

Refueling water is not an issue even in the icy north, nor do you dispose of the toilet cassette. It is difficult with the drainage of the waste water tank over gutter or gully, since these are almost always frozen. Only a sewage taxi or the tip we got, hose and drain in the car wash helps. You may also find something at a bus company.

The people are all nice, friendly and helpful, whether in Finland, Norway or Sweden. Of course, exceptions also confirm the rule here.
It is driven considerately and patiently.
The road conditions were changing, from black, snowy, icy to a mixture of everything. Often you have stuck snow-like snow, which creates noises in the WoMo that you never knew before.
Wind is an issue and should not be underestimated when driving, either because of gusts or the snow drifts.

We are on time at 2pm at the Tyskland terminal and besides a few trucks we are the first. Check in begins shortly after 4 p.m. and we are on the steamer about 1 hour later. We are forced into a gap so that I get out and instruct. Henry doesn't trust the Stena briefer an inch. He is somehow distraught why I take over, but accepts my somewhat definitive answer. After a few times back and forth we finally stand undamaged and we don't go a meter from the spot until not all vehicles are around us.
From experience, I take a photo of the staircase and the deck where we stand. Not that we have to look for our vehicle again tomorrow morning. Good friends of us know the G'schicht - 2 women in a panic ?

We received the room cards at the check-in so that we march purposefully on deck 11 and a short time later sit on the terrace of our cabin with red wine. We rummage through the on-board shop later and since there are so few guests on board, the 8:30 pm buffet visitors are allowed to come an hour earlier. Exactly at the originally planned time, I am full of mussels, salmon, sill, and what else there is of marine life. Tested the meat briefly and then again to the mussels. We give up after an hour and a half.

At first, the trip gets a bit more rocking, the further we get into the catwalk and Denmark gives us protection. Good night.

01/09/2020

We are awake around 6 and sit at 7 at breakfast, which is included in the room price.
Germany welcomes us with rain, fog and low-hanging clouds. The banks of the Kiel Fjord are hard to make out.

We land on time at 09:15 a.m. at the Schwedenkai in Kiel and this time we're off the ferry relatively quickly.
We are heading towards Lübeck and Berlin. We think the A21 / A24 / A10 / A9 station wagon is the better alternative to drive than the Elbe tunnel in Hamburg / A7 and A3. And we are actually making good progress. At 1:00 p.m. we turn onto the A10 Berliner Ring.

09.01.2020 Shortly before 7 p.m. we come back in at home and are greeted first of all by our cat Paule. A fantastic journey comes to an end that was one of the very special.

End mileage 14677 km
total driven 6357 km

Since we are traveling with over 3.5 t, we registered with AutoPass in advance. The toll chip is tiny compared to the Austrian GoBox and when used with the WoMo> 3.5t you are classified as a car.

We drove twice the new Haalogalandsbrua on the E6 at Narvik, each 90.40 NOK and once the E6 / E10 Leirvik 33.60 NOK.
The original fee <3.5 t is 42 NOK for Leirvik and 113 NOK for the bridge. Truck tariff would be NOK 99 for Leirvik and NOK 280 for the bridge.

A 20% discount will be deducted from the fee for <3.5 t on the invoice. But why don't I know exactly.
This means that despite our 4.4 t, we paid the tariff for cars or <3.5 t minus 20%.

Without AutoPass registration we would have paid NOK 659 around 66 €, we actually paid NOK 214.40, around 21.50 €. So it's worth it.

With the first settlement, the chip costs 200 NOK, which you get back when you return it.

Some ferries offer discounts with a chip or tag.

We also registered with AutoPass for Ferje. You pay in advance for our weight class 3600 NOK and receive a card, which is then used for payment on the ferry. The advantage is a price reduction of 50% for selected ferries, which would have been around € 118 less using the example of the ferry from Moskenes to Bodø.
Since we had taken the Lofoten out of the program due to bad weather, the card was sent back. The credit will be refunded after 30 days.

We could have used it for further trips, but since there is a lot going on with the payment on ferries, we decided to return it.