Hamarøy through 5000 years

 June 6th Nordskot - Skutvik

With a breeze blowing the boat towards the dock I needed quite a bit of engine power against the forward spring line to get the bow out enough for me to be able to clear the dock. To ad to that the wind came in the direction I wanted to travel so it became a day of motoring.

Both the islands and mainland have a fair amount of strandflat here so people has made homes (or rather farms) along the waterline all along the route. with the historical mixed economy between fishing and farming that was the norm all along the coast it was natural that small maintenance slipways was established when boat size increased - such as this quaint one at Engeløya.

After tying the boat up for the day I decided on a whim to bike to Ness and got a surplice visit to a area with a long and rich history. The Ness area has been inhabited since the bronze age. It is located at one of the most powerful tidal currents in Europe and the area on the inside have quite an early spring, offering a long growing season and for the latitude rich farming. Together with a portage over the low Uteide it was possible to sail or row through the current and avoid passing the open waters needed to get to and from the Ofoten area otherwise.

In the viking age and in medieval time there Ness was the main base for cheiftains. Most famous is Håkon Raud. During the late Norwegian civil war era duke Skule Bårdsson had sent a war-party of varbelger northwards to get control over the important export of fish. Håkon Raud got message of the war-party ravaging at Leines in Steigen. In very quick order he mobilized a force of seven ships (probably 200 - 500 men) and set sail toward Leines. They arrived at dawn to an unprepared war-party that had stowed their weapons onto one of their ships.   The war-party was killed and by that the main force supporting duke Skule in his quest to replace king Håkon Håkonsson and thus in effect ending the civil war era.

The importance of Ness has since dwindled into a very nice but remote place. With wetlands, tidal basins and small lakes and relative warm climate the area is also of significant location for wildlife (mostly birds) and flora.

And on top you get a nice view of the backside of Hamarøyskaftet - with is quite a characteristic landmark. And a challenge for people inclined to ascend mountains not suited for ascending.