Californian Arctic

[ArcticMatt]

It's been a while since I've updated this thread since the covid years.

Shocks were an update. Went from crappy ones to Sachs HD which were amazing on these bumpy Norwegian roads!

 

[ArcticMatt]

I re-hashed the short-shift too. The previous attempt was too short and made it a little difficult. This way is loads better now. With the longer gear arm, it makes it a lot more comfortable.

 

[ArcticMatt]

Always the cheeky northern lights shots too!

 

[ArcticMatt]

Spot the smurf

 

[ArcticMatt]

Finally, the surf rack came in handy. We got into paddleboards over the summer just like the rest of the world has. Great little things and handy where we are with the amount of little lakes to play around in.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Always the cheeky northern lights shots too!

Great shot.

 

[ArcticMatt]

Still an all-season vehicle too. It's still used as a mobile refuge when the Northern Lights are out. I'm learning slowly not to always take pictures of the van though

 

[ArcticMatt]

Ever since owning the van. I've been running a set of hand-me-down studded tyres from my father-in-law who warned me they were so bad that they were just for emergencies! Anyhoo 6 years later, I finally got around to fitting a new set of studs!

The Steelies have been better days but the rattle can keeps them fresh enough for the winter roads

Handy still having weekend access to the garage too. Lots of man toys!

 

[ArcticMatt]

Great shot.

Cheers. One of the few shots before the snow makes life difficult

 

[The Merle]

Cheers. One of the few shots before the snow makes life difficult

Managed to see a very quick glimpse of the northern lights Saturday in the cairngorms

 

[ArcticMatt]

Managed to see a very quick glimpse of the northern lights Saturday in the cairngorms

Aye, the activity that night was mental! I'd seen some folk get shots as far south as Norfolk! A few folk got some good shots where I'm from too. We had the first snow of the season which ruined any sightings for me.

 

[The Merle]

Aye, the activity that night was mental! I'd seen some folk get shots as far south as Norfolk! A few folk got some good shots where I'm from too. We had the first snow of the season which ruined any sightings for me.

Was my first ever view, driving over lecht ski centre and it was still pretty light as it was 6ish.
Have an app on phone to give me any warnings.
Nothing like your pics, they look amazing!
Making me not want to sell my joker

 

[sidepod]

Whilst at the Motorhome show at the weekend, we listened to a talky bit about travelling around Norway. It looks and sounds fabulous. I can’t wait.

 

[ArcticMatt]

Was my first ever view, driving over lecht ski centre and it was still pretty light as it was 6ish.
Have an app on phone to give me any warnings.
Nothing like your pics, they look amazing!
Making me not want to sell my joker

Why on earth would you sell a Joker!

 

[ArcticMatt]

Whilst at the Motorhome show at the weekend, we listened to a talky bit about travelling around Norway. It looks and sounds fabulous. I can’t wait.

It's well worth the effort of getting here for sure. There are even plans to restart the ferry from South Sheilds too. That's a long way off as they haven't got funding to build it yet. The Norwegian tourist routes are really well set out too. Worth a look.
https://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en/

 

[The Merle]

Why on earth would you sell a Joker!

To renovate a cottage in the cairngorm mountains.
Great vans as I’ve had two now over 4 1/2yrs

 

[ArcticMatt]

To renovate a cottage in the cairngorm mountains.
Great vans as I’ve had two now over 4 1/2yrs

Nice! Awesome place to be. I’ve got friends who live in Strathdon. I used to live in Aberdeen many years ago. Was always a pleasure heading out that way.


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[sidepod]

I used to live in Aberdeen many years ago. Was always a pleasure heading out


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Yup. Thoroughly depressing place. Lived there for five years. Grey sky. Grey buildings. It’s was almost better being offshore.

 

[ArcticMatt]

Yup. Thoroughly depressing place. Lived there for five years. Grey sky. Grey buildings. It’s was almost better being offshore.

Haha, tell me about it! Where about were you offshore? I've been on Britannia 16 years and a few others before that.

 

[sidepod]

Haha, tell me about it! Where about were you offshore? I've been on Britannia 16 years and a few others before that.

All of my stuff was post Cullen upgrades.
Claymore/Forties/Brent/Shell central platforms.

Claymore was grim, identical to Piper A.

Mostly choppered in/out of Kirkwall then fixed wing back to Dyce.

 

[ArcticMatt]

All of my stuff was post Cullen upgrades.
Claymore/Forties/Brent/Shell central platforms.

Claymore was grim, identical to Piper A.

Mostly choppered in/out of Kirkwall then fixed wing back to Dyce.

Aye, they were big old beasts. Seems weird most of the Brents are gone. Amazingly the Forties are all still there. We can see them on the horizon from us. I'm always grateful it's only a short direct flight back to the beach for us.

 

[ArcticMatt]

We were up at the arctic circle centre again the other month. We head south over here. Its a couple of hours to here due to all the mountain roads to get this far. We spent a few days around Mo-i-rana which is quite beautiful.

This is the Glomådeltaet on the inlet to Langvatnet near Mo. This is the glacial run-off from the massive Svartisen Glacier than cuts of Beiarn where we live to the north.

The is the Marmorslottet (Marble Castle) where the glacial waters have carved these awsome shapes.

The older brother / sister to the Angel of the North

 

[ArcticMatt]

I've been able to capture footage of the Nordlys recently with my new camera. He're a little bit from the other month.

This was another one from earlier in the year when it was quite nippy outside!

 

[ArcticMatt]

There's a California in there somewhere

 

[sidepod]

Truly spectacular