May 20th: Muinio to Alta - into Norway

First an apology - this blog day will be late as I had a computer problem in Alta and only got it sorted out at 0545 Saturday morning so time is short before our departure. Also the really good news is that Reza and Ahmad caught up with us her in Alta last night in time for dinner so the group is back up to 5 cars again. Eric's window did not make it however so will now be  sent somewhere further south to be collected in a week or so! Anyway his perspex substitute  is so good he really seems quite happy with  the situation.

 As promised the day dawned dry and bright - there had been precious little night time anyway this far north and we were awakened by the sound of the 400 huskies at the resort. In the winter these dogs do sledge rides etc but in the off season they just  rest - and bark. We were not allowed to visit them but they sounded happy and healthy.
Overnight Tim had added the stickers I bought for him to the car.........

.......................an Arctic Circle one ..........

...and you might just make out the reindeer/moose warning sign below the number plate!

We paid our bills and set out to take breakfast  at the filling station in the town  this was pretty average but as we left we saw a party starting with free soup and music  from an accordionist. No idea what it was about but  they all looked to be having fun.

We set off back along the route in to divert into the National park. A small road but well made and no traffic. Soon we saw another single reindeer.................

and a little further on we turned  up a side road to the Visitor Centre. There we found one lady in a shop and great info centre with maps and stuffed animals etc and heaps of great information;  she was charming and we bought some souvenirs (another sticker for the car).
Back on the "main road" we saw this beautiful frozen lake ........

Down at the water's edge we could see there was a small open pool but the rest was pretty solid

Beautiful reflections

Further on we had another stop for  a breathtaking view across the valley

Finally I think I am getting the hang of the panorama function on the Olympus camera!

In another area we stopped to look at the reindeer moss that carpeted the forest floor

.................really delicate material but apparently very nutritious!

 We left the park and were in Sami lands but saw no more reindeer  for while  and few birds. 

 We stopped to look at a church

 ...which had a neat little war grave section in the cemetry

  Then we came across this herd of deer wandering down the road

The leader had a bell

The countryside changed to  a real wash out  tundra plain with few trees and  a lot of water and some reindeer corrals

Then we were into Norway

 Still with reindeer................

.....and apparently more snow!

The countryside remained  bleak but beautiful , with little traffic

A temporary bridge  where the road had washed out

Arrival at the hotel in Alta

My room with the fabulous view of the fjord through the windows

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