Day 29 – to Rovaniemi

The mystery of the red truck was solved for me this morning.

I posted a photograph of it a couple of days ago, doubting its economy and dreading its emissions.

It arrived here with a German guy driving four years ago, and hasn’t moved since. The guy liked the area, so found a job and settled. He lived in it for a year, but has moved villages and now just uses it as a holiday home.

I’ve begun to seriously doubt the value of my E in Physics A-level, 42 years ago now..

This course I’ve set my mind on understanding the Victron Connect Solar system in the van. It’s tremendous, but if ever it doesn’t function as it should it’s been my error that’s led to that.

A week or so ago after a couple of days of cloud and rain the power dropped lower than I expected, to 50% of capacity. The app on my iPad has all the details you could want. After several hours going round in circles I managed to find that it was the Firmware that needed updating.

Yesterday it was low again. So low that it cuts out and shuts off, then restarts. I managed to work out the reason. In the rainy weather I’ve been watching more sport on TV than usual, partly because I have an unlimited internet deal. The TV drains the system much more quickly than anything else.

Today I decided to hook up and get the batteries fully charged before reaching the Arctic, which means paying for a campsite. But, it’s a good site, on the river overlooking Rovaniemi town.

Then I had the problem of hooking up, with a series of socket adapters. It took me an hour to get it running, and that was with Jack’s help, from GV conversions, who did all the work on the vehicle.

Interestingly, Lithium batteries have more than halved in price, so I think when I get chance, I will upgrade. These current batteries can get damaged by running them at anything lower than 50%, with Lithium they can run as low as 10%, and last longer and generally more efficient.

Anyway – the rain from yesterday cleared in the early hours. I know this well, as the dog needed to go out just after it was light.

I contacted the Migration Service, hoping that the visa would be delivered by post today, or tomorrow. Unfortunately they are short-staffed, and it will take between 5 days and 2 weeks.

Luckily, the owner, Martin, enjoyed the beer I gave him. Keen for another, he offered to mail it up to me when it arrives.

With that sorted, I walked the dog, tidied up and filled up with water, and readied to leave.

A stop in Haparanda for Co-Op and lunch, then into Finland, and an hour or so north to Rovaniemi, where I’m currently at.

I’ve actually been here before, when I was 27.. on my journey between Liverpool and the MCG (Melbourne) without using trains. I had taken the ferry from Newcastle to Bergen, hitched up to North Cape, then here.

I remember staying here well, on a campsite just out of town. It was September and the guys and I was camping with and I got an incredible view of the Northern Lights – which I’m hoping to see again.