Northern Lights over Utakleiv Beach, Lofoten Islands

Saturday was completed with a fabulous display of Northern Lights. We photographed these first from Utakleiv Beach and then moved to Haukland for a second shoot (images to follow). There was a near full moon lighting the mountains and reflecting off the crest of the waves.

Nusfjord Fishing Village Lofoten Islands

The day remained clear with golden winter light for a visit to Nusfjord, a heritage site retaining all the features of a Lofoten fishing village. As well as drying the cod in traditional racks, there is also a cod-liver oil refinery. The sunset proved to be not as good as we hoped but I loved the colours in the fjord with the ochre rocks and red algae echoing the colours of the Rorbu cabins

Pink Sunrise on Lofoten Islands

Saturday morning gave us a beautiful pink and orange sunset over an icy fjord landscape. There were ice flowers on a small island of ice - out of reach of most of us but a few waded in.

Second Visit to Haukland Beach, Lofoten Islands

As the sky was very grey and no real sunset, I concentrated on the various ice and water shapes until the moon rose and provided a blue end to the day

Cambridge United versus Manchester United - Change of Venue

Just heard that they have decided to replay the FA Cup tie on neutral ground at Henninsvaer on the Lofoten Islands. All-weather pitch so no problem with snow. It might be a bit smelly as it is surrounded by cod drying racks. Home team facilities in corner; away team shelter under the rock face. Long-drop toilet over the sea provides all the facilities needed.

Anyway good luck Cambridge for tomorrow evening

Henningsvaer, Lofoten Islands

Very windy morning spent one of the most exposed parts of the island but still lots to see including the drying of the cod for stock fish. The climate in the Lofoten Islands is suited to this method of drying with strong saline-laden winds and cold temperatures. They are hung between January and April and brought into store in June. We sampled dishes made with this dried fish while here - a bit rubbery compared with fresh fish but very edible.

Snowy Day in Leknes, Lofoten Islands

Thursday (29th) saw strong winds and snow so most of the group spent the rest of the day in the Hotel in Leknes once we had transferred in the morning from Reine. Jane and I decided on a local outing, so bundled up in waterproofs and poncho we headed off along the snowy roads on a circular walk around the outskirts of the town. The various trees and building looked wonderful in the soft light and falling snow. The kids were heading home from school carrying skis.As with all images on this trip, there is quite a bit of tidying up of edges etc that I will do when back home with access to Photoshop.

Textures from Flakstad

We only had a short while in fading light to capture the sand patterns on this beach. Enough time to find a few faces, including this owl, flowers, trees etc but not enough to do it justice.