During their different journeys of the MEMORIA Norway project, SpringerParker will update the Logbook on a regular basis.
It documents their route and events in forms of on location photos and descriptions sent directly via the mobile phone to this website.
Clicking at the geographical data to the left of the entries lets you follow their route on the map.
EXPLORATION SUMMER (September 2009)

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The wind that shakes the ...


When we woke up this morning, the car was shaking heavily. Concerning the climate, locals keep talking in superlatives. It seems like at the moment it is unusually warm and very stormy. Today, only a few kilometers from here, a caravan and a camping car were blown off the road from the strong storm. We decided to keep outside activities low.


Stabbursnes Naturhus and Museum


Today we visited the Stabbursnes Naturhus inside the National Park Center. They are running the Nasjonal Park Senter museum covering the nature life of this huge region and also offer a variety of literature for people interested in nature. We met Gry Ingebretsen, the manager and Almar Paulsen, the board leader. Amongst other interesting things, Almar told us that this year, the region experienced the hottest summer and autumn he can remember.


The obligatory reindeer


Just a few minutes before our arrival at Stabbursdalen, the obligatory reeindeer crosses the road, totally unimpressed, to continue with its reindeer business on the other side.


Lavvus


Next to road there are three lavvus, Sámi tents, braving all storms, used for selling handcrafted things and souvenirs.


The Porsanger Fjord


We are approaching the Porsanger Fjord, some scary things are happening in the sky.


The Kven Institute


Kven are a Norwegian ethnic minority descended from Finnish peasants and fisherman who emigrated to Northern Norway in the 18th and 19th century. The Kainun institutti is the Norwegian center for its culture and language, it is located in Børselv near the Porsanger Fjord. Based on the criteria that at least one of their grandparents spoke Finnish, studies have estimated the number of Kven today to be up to 60.000, altough many of these people don't consider themselves as Kven. Geir Aarskog from Stabbursdalen was one of the project leaders in building the institute.


Scars from the winter


As far as you can see, there are huge field of birches, some lakes inbetween. The road started to get very bumpy, you will notice the scars from the winter periods, some of them poorly repaired, when your car jumps like three times in a row.


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