Nordkapp, the end of the road, the end of our journey?

  

This was not the day we expected it to be. It had started well, the weather as we exited the tunnel was perfect and the views dramatic, it really does feel as if you are driving to the top of the world. The road is steep and winding, the sky is huge and the reindeer well fed.

As the road twists and turns we spotted the Horn of Nordkapp, one of the places many walkers trek to and then there it was, in the distance, the white globe above visitors centre appears.

The steep cliff of the North Cape is located at 71°10′21″N 25°47′04″E, about 2,102.3 km (1,306.3 miles) from the North Pole. Nordkapp is often inaccurately referred to as the northernmost point of Europe. However, the neighbouring Knivskjellodden Cape actually extends 1,450 m (4,760 ft) further north. The northernmost point of Europe including islands, is hundreds of kilometers further north, in Norway's Svalbard archipelago.

E69 motorway has its northern terminus at Nordkapp (North Cape),it is the northernmost point in Europe that can be accessed by car and makes the E69 the northernmost public road in Europe. The cape includes a 307-metre-high cliff (1,007 ft) with a large flat plateau on top, where you can look out to the Barents Sea to the north. North Cape Hall, that houses the visitors centre, was built in 1988 on the plateau. It includes a  fabulous restaurant with a stunning view , a souvenir shop, chapel and a small video about the Cape.

We were so lucky, we had a glorious day, cold, windy, but as clear as it could be. Th Globe ( the monument anyone who visits needs a photo beside) was busy, but we took our turn. It felt like a big step on our journey, from here on, we would be heading south and home ( although our plan was to visit a lot of places on the way and take another 2 months).

Just along the plateau from the Globe is the  Children of the Earth monument, in fact it is seven monuments made by seven children from all parts of the world, symbolising cooperation, friendship, hope and joy across all boundaries. The project was initiated in 1989 and every year in the beginning of June, local children join to celebrate the very same values, and a humanitarian award is given in support of children around the world.

To warm up we headed inside for lunch at the restaurant, courtesy of my fabulous friends and colleagues at Versus Arthritis as  my leaving gift, the view was stunning! We took out time enjoyed all the exhibitions and films, made a small purchase in the shop and headed back to Agy. We had a campsite to get to.

This is where it all went a little bit (!) wrong. Getting in, the wind was so strong I struggled to hold the door and clamber in, but once in, Ian started her up…. A warning light came up on the dashboard and a terrible sound ensued.  Agy must have heard us saying “we are driving to Nordkapp” and decided I have got you here, so I’m going no further!