29.04.12 The day started out well woke up early as usual to find that overnight there had been snow, and in fact was still snowing away quite happily. Everything was covered and the van completely. Should not be surprised really as the thaw as such has not set in properly. Anyway after bring all of the water reserves etc., up to level before setting off on what was planned as two easy stages to Andenes on Andøya. This is where I spent my time tying to get Aurora photographs couple of years ago. Planned to have a coffee break at N 68°54'58.44" E 17°35'7.26" which is where we camped last year, after which we were going on a few kilometres to where we had noticed a better camping (wild) spot last time. Had hardly made a couple of hundred metres before the pneumatic suspension warning lights started flashing away like crazy. Oh Hum! First couple of stops did not show me too much but the vehicle started moving along like a three legged tortoise. This prompted another stop and then it was evident what the, or rather where the problem was, what came as a later discovery. The passenger side back wheel was raised to its maximum height and this was producing our rather strange motion.
This caused yet another change in plans and pushed on straight through to Andenes. Here at least we know the folks where we intended to camp and we had all of the likely facilities that we might need. Where we were along the way was middle of no where. Check the coordinates of the coffee break.
Two ferries and a torturously slow drive found us back at N 69°18'16.30" E16° 4'8.78" again N 69° 18'16.30" E 16°4'8.78". For me the third time, the second had been with HiC jr.,I. Check his photos from the place at http://hairyworm.weebly.com/beautiful-bugs.html.
Anyway to continue, I had texted the lady from the Whale Safari joint to check if it was okay as we are well out of season here and got her clearance and a contact number.
Fairly late when we got there so all I did was crawl under the back of the wagon, in a howling gale, there has been a massive storm blowing over the place for three days now and it is icy cold. There I was greeted by the loose end of the connecting rod between the chassis and the level sensor. Five very rude words, at least.
After that sent off SOS e-mail to the suspension system manufacturer and went to bed. The gale was so strong it was truly like being in a cockle shell on the high seas. It was bouncing the van around like a feather weight instead of its three and a half tons. Rather disturbed night but sleep came at some time or other.
This caused yet another change in plans and pushed on straight through to Andenes. Here at least we know the folks where we intended to camp and we had all of the likely facilities that we might need. Where we were along the way was middle of no where. Check the coordinates of the coffee break.
Two ferries and a torturously slow drive found us back at N 69°18'16.30" E16° 4'8.78" again N 69° 18'16.30" E 16°4'8.78". For me the third time, the second had been with HiC jr.,I. Check his photos from the place at http://hairyworm.weebly.com/beautiful-bugs.html.
Anyway to continue, I had texted the lady from the Whale Safari joint to check if it was okay as we are well out of season here and got her clearance and a contact number.
Fairly late when we got there so all I did was crawl under the back of the wagon, in a howling gale, there has been a massive storm blowing over the place for three days now and it is icy cold. There I was greeted by the loose end of the connecting rod between the chassis and the level sensor. Five very rude words, at least.
After that sent off SOS e-mail to the suspension system manufacturer and went to bed. The gale was so strong it was truly like being in a cockle shell on the high seas. It was bouncing the van around like a feather weight instead of its three and a half tons. Rather disturbed night but sleep came at some time or other.
