Hugging wolves in the Polar Zoo

In the Polar Zoo, about three hours ride from Harstad, it is possible to go into the domain of the wolves, and get close to them. Douglas' team did this as a teambuilding activity, but since Douglas was not able to go then, we grabbed the opportunity to go together when Klaus (a colleague of Douglas) wanted to go again with a friend.

The wolves are sociallised, but are still wild too, and you enter their domain, so have to watch them carefully. Their way of greeting you is licking your face. The wolves are huge animals!

After this cool experience we had a tour of the zoo, where we also saw other animals like the lynx, the wolverine and brown bear, all animals that live in the wild in Norway, just before it became dark at 2 in the afternoon. Then we had lunch at Gard's place, another collegue that lives very close to the zoo.

It was a great day!

Claartje & Douglas

The beautiful colours of Autumn (Høst) 2

 

 

As they do in many places in the autumn, the trees were turning more and more yellow red and brown. In both the first two weekends of September weekends we spent one day climbing tops in the area. First we went up the Steinåsen. A cloud had creept up on us while we were walking to the top so it was a challenging trip with a little rain over a large swampy plain. When we finaly reached the top, the view was completely gone due to the fog. Only when the cloud broke for a second did we get to see the lakes below. The second trip a week later was up the Toskevassfjellet, again a fantastic trip, this time over smal steap forest paths.

By now (November) the daylight is almost gone and the first snow has presented itself (and melted again unfortunately). But winter is here!!!

The beautiful colours of Autumn (Høst) 1

A couple of warm days in autumn gave us the chance to go on a large tour up the Jonsheimtinden. Spectacular views and breath taking scenery. Leaving from Kongsvikdalen we walked up over stretching plateaus and never melting snow. Past wonderful water falls and steep cliffs of rock to be stunned by the all inspiring views at the top of the mountain on the sea below. On the way down we met an elg(moose) with two kalfs.

More visitors in August

 

 

 

 

In August more family came to visit. They stayed a little longer so we had time to go out on multiple trips into the area. On these trips we picked blue berries during the walks and enjoyed them on pancakes for breakfast in the sun the next morning. We went fishing near Kvaeoya and caught two fish, (Sei, Coalfish, Koolvis) which were prepared in the oven. We also spent some lazy days in the sun at the beach. Then the parents of Claartje arrived by car and stayed two weekends. Although we had a day of rain at the end of August it was a fantastic summer!

Super Summer,

 

 

  

 

 

In the middle of July, Douglas Parents came to visit. With soaring temperatures of even 25 degrees and clear sky’s it was full summer. Barbequing, walking, swimming and a trip to the Lofoten and the Vesterålen, we try to take the best of both the surroundings and the good weather had to offer. We took our car for a great tour from Hartsad to Svolvær, and then on to a place called Stø. In Stø we walked to Nyksund and then drove back to Harstad. 700 km of stunning views and wildlife. Douglas caught three cods, (Kabeljauw/Torsk) which we cleaned in the midnight sun and ate for breakfast. A briljant week!