Verrafjord and Grip, Coastal Norway
The Endeavour continued her southbound probing of the undulating fjords and scattered islands of scenic coastal Norway. With delicate navigation our officers brought us in to a narrow intimate place the Endeavour had never visited before. At the head of beautiful Verrafjord we anchored and went ashore to explore. We set out in different directions on unimproved roads, people walking at their own pace to take in the countryside.
Under clearing skies, we walked by cascading streams and above the fjord where our kayakers paddled. Fireweed, eyebrights, St. John’s wort, vetches and violets were in flower. Raspberries and blueberries were in fruit to our palates’ delight. White lichens coated pine branches like snow, evergreen lichens enhancing birch bark aspects. Puffballs, boletus, and other troll-inspired toadstools hid in the understory. The find of a four-leaf clover today indicated fortuitous times ahead.
The Endeavour was soon slaloming gracefully again through the isles and skerries of Norway’s jagged coast, heading for our next destination. With more seafaring dramatic ocean conditions we Zodiac’ed in behind a breakwall to the absolutely picturesque island town of Grip. This small low-lying offshore island is completely covered in colorful cottages and small summer homes, the intimate 15th century church a focal point. The buildings are awash in bold primary colors of red, yellow and blue. The historic fishing nature of this community was obvious by the boats, floats, traps and drying fish. We thoroughly enjoyed strolling through this charming painted island fishing hamlet. Turnstones and oystercatchers flitted around the isle and gannets glided overhead as we returned to the comfort of our ship.
And so the Endeavour continued southward on her journey from Norway’s icy archipelago Svalbard where we started the voyage, now through fjords and islands of mainland Norway’s famous jagged coast.
