Merry Christmas !

Full moon with calm and clear weather. Even though many of the old weather signs is not reliable any longer, it seems like this saying about the full moon is still so. Last night we got a lot of snow; and because the wind had dropped, the snow remained at the ground.

(12.19.2002)

On the western side of the Elgsnes peninsula, there is a small skerry pointing out from the coastline. And outside there is a shallow, so here the skippers have to be observant.

(12.14.2002)

It is still two weeks until winter solstice and the sun is far under the horizon. Nevertheless it is able to colour the sky like today. The picture was taken at approx. 02:30 PM.

(12.07.2002)

The sun is still shining at the tops of the highest mountains, although it is more than two weeks since we saw it for the last time this year here at Elgsnes. Parhaps todays reflection of the sun was the last one until january?

(11.29.2002)

During the german occupation of Norway from 1940 to 1945 they built a lot of costal batteries to make what they called "Festung Norwegen". One of these was here at Elgsnes. The heviest weapons were four 6 inches guns wich was a booty from the Maginot line in France. The guns were removed some years after the war had ended, so by now it is only the foundations that reminds us of the years of evil.

(11.25.2002)

Today it is 38 days till winter solstice. It means that this is the last day the sun is shining here at Elgsnes this year. For two more weeks we can see the sunshine at the top of the mountains around us. But from then on, the sun will be under the horizon day and night.

(11.13.2002)

On the other side of the sound Toppsundet, we have Grytoeya, or "the stone island" in english. Looking at the picture, it is easy to imagine why the island got its name. The mountain in the background is called Nona, and is 3320 feet high.

(11.01.2002)

Today the snow started to fall, and soon the landscape was white. Snow is frozen rain. When the temperature drops below freezing point, and there is percipitation, it will snow. We have snow every winter, but it is not usual to get it this early.

(10.17.2002)

This is what the nature around Elgsnes looks like tonight. Calm sea and a soft, dim light from the red coloured horizon. The Elgsnes peninsula to the left.

(10.07.2002)

Last night and this morning we had heavy wind from northwest. The Elgsnes bay is exposed for wind from this direction. Fortunately we no longer needs to go out at sea in weather like this. Until 29 years ago when we got road connection, people had to travel by boat.

(09.25.2002)

Last night the temperature dropped below freezing point for the first time this autumn. Less than one degree this time, but anyway a remind of what we can expect for the next months. The ground was covered with frost this morning, but the sun melted it away, and by noon it was all gone.

(09.22.2002)

This is how september can be at 68 degrees north. We have had one of the best summers within memory of man, and even the autumn has a promising beginning.

(09.11.2002)

An autumnal picture from the east side of the Elgsnes peninsula. In the foreground you can see the houses of the former cotter's farm Lyngmyra. The nature is preparing for the autumn, and the colors yellow, brown and red are increasingly visible.

(08.30.2002)

Early morning with fog in the mountains and dew at the fields. The sea is smooth as a mirror, and the only sounds to be heard is the seagull talking about the herring and the hum from the coastal steamer on its way up north.

(08.24.2002)

Beautiful weather with sunshine from a blue, cloudless sky. And the temperature is perfect for the grazing cows.

(08.11.2002)

At the top of the hill Kvitberget there is a big and heavy stone. It has obviously been transported here, but not by humans. No wonder that this has thrilled people's phantasy through centuries. The conclusion was that only trolls could have done this. That is why the stone is called Trollsteinen (the trollstone). Today we belive that the ice brought the stone here.

(08.05.2002)

Dark clouds comes with the wind from southwest and gives us life-giving rain. One of the main shortages in the world is fresh water. In Norway we have been blessed with unbelivable quantities of this resource, for farming and other activity, for the households and finally for electricity production wich is a nearly ever lasting money-machine.

(07.27.2002)

The combination of green cultivated areas and the wildgrowing flowers is one of the things that makes the landscape interesting even for the tourists.

(07.11.2002)

Another beautiful midnight sun evening here at Elgsnes. The sun is now rather near the horizon at midnight, and in one weeks time we will have the sunsets back again.

(07.16.2002)

The "Hurtigruten" is a system of 11 ships going south and north every day between Bergen and Kirkenes near the russian border. Many tourists takes the trip to experience the worlds most beautiful sea journey. At the picture you can see MS Trollfjord on its way southwards.

(07.09.2002)

After a long periode with strong northerly wind, there is suddenly this calm evening. The sea is smooth as a mirror, and the landscape is being reflected. This is what Elgsnes can look like in the light of the midnight sun!

(07.02.2002)

Still sunny and dry weather. Today there is fog out at sea, which makes the wind strong. The force of the wind is presumably caused by the different temperatures at sea and at land.

(06.29.2002)

Continued lack of rain, and the color of the grass is no longer dark green. In some areas the grass is so dry that it almost looks like hay. This is a very unusual situation here at Elgsnes where too much rain used to be the problem.

(06.27.2002)

Since 18th og May we have only had traces of rain. In some fields the grass is starting to wither. Therefore we have started harvesting the grass nearly one month earlier than we normally do.

(06.14.2002)

The dandelion is beautiful right now. Later, when it spreads myriads of seeds to the surrounding fields, it is less attractive from a farmers point of view.

(06.02.2002)

The wild pansy is in flower. Its beauty can be troublesom. People who comes to Elgsnes roots it up for their gardens. This is a threat to this wild growing flower. Click at the picture to see a larger version.

(05.27.2002)

Last night the clouds disappeared, and it was possible to see the midnight sun for the first time this year. Click at the picture to see a larger version.

(05.23.2002)

Today is our Constitution Day. At this day in 1814 the work for a new norwegian constitution was successfully ended. 17th of may was also Edvard Ruud senior's birthday. He hoisted the "clean" norwegian flag long before we got rid of the swedish-norwegian union in 1905.

(05.17.2002)

It is too early for the midnight sun, but the sky can be beautiful in the middle of the night even at this time of the year. Click at the picture to see a larger version.

(05.11.2002)

When the first sprouts appears, is the best time to see the ancient graves. At the picture you can see a grave mound in the foreground. There is another one a little futher away, where the juniper is growing.

(05.09.2002)

Today was this years first fishingtrip. The motive is from the shallow Hestenboen where the seagulls can tell us that here they find something to eat. Click at the picture to see a larger version.

(05.01.2002)

Today we have 52 degrees F, and the grass is starting to grow. This is more than two weeks earlier than normal and almost one month earlier than last year. But this winter we did not have more than 3 inches depth of frost, which is less than 10% of last years 33 inches.

(04.25.2002)

This afternoon there was a dead calm in the Toppsundet. The mountains of Grytøya are being reflectet in the sea, to the left is the Elgsnes peninsula and in the background you can see dimly the Andøya island. The picture gives just a little segment of the fantastic nature that reveals when you are driving over the mountain to Elgsnes.

(04.16.2002)

On the last Easter holyday we finally got nice weather. But it has been too much rain lately to have good skiing conditions.That is why many people from Harstad instead visited Elgsnes today.

(04.01.2002)

For five days now we have had rain and strong wind, and most of the snow has melted away. But it is a bit to early to assume that this is the spring.

(03.29.2002)

Exactly how we wish the Easter holydays to be. But it is not realistic to expect that this weather will last for one more week.

(03.22.2002)

With the new moon we got weather change, and today the roads are icy. At the picture Roy is spreading sand to make it possible to walk and drive.

(03.15.2002)

Beautiful weather with sunshine and 15 inches with snow. This is what we need after a long periode of darkness!

(02.27.2002)

This picture is taken from the road down from the mountain Aunfjellet, and shows the utmost part of the Elgsnes peninsula with the island Andoeya in the background. If you are clicking at the topic "Maps" in the left margin, you will get even better survey of the topography.

(02.07.2002)

28th of january is what we call "The sun day" here at Elgsnes. It means that this is the first day we can see the sun directely, not only sunshine at the mountains.

(01.28.2002)

The sun is back after nearly two months under the horizon. Living far up north, it is easy to understand why people long ago worshipped the sun as a god.

(01.19.2002)

The wether is changing rapidly in latitude 69 degrees north. Two days ago green fields and today once again winter. Wet snow at the trees makes the nature look like a painting. Click here to see more pictures from today.

(01.14.2002)

This picture is taken today. At this time of the year we should have had winter and snow! Still there are some people denying that we are changing the climate. But it is hard to belive that the changes we can see is just a coincidence.

(01.12.2002)