*8 September 2025* Another long day of driving today, crossing the Arctic Circle, but at the end of which we are still only on a latitude with the top of the Baltic! ![[27-GNT - Map.jpeg]] The lakes were reflecting their neighbours as we started our journey. ![[27-GNT - 1.jpeg]]![[27-GNT - 2.jpeg]] Soon we were back on roads winding interminably but magnificently around the fjords. ![[27-GNT - 3.jpeg]]![[27-GNT - 4.jpeg]] Near Botn we visited two war cemeteries located in a tranquil forest clearing. One is the Yugoslav war cemetery, containing the remains of 1,657 Yugoslav prisoners of war—many unnamed—who perished during forced labor on the “Blood Road.” ![[27-GNT - 5.jpeg]] The Blood Road was the name given to a 23-kilometre stretch of the road between Rognan and Langset, constructed between 1942–45 as part of the German effort to extend the Nordland railway and improve military transport routes. Thousands of Yugoslav, Soviet, and Polish prisoners of war, guarded by German soldiers and Norwegian collaborators, were forced to build it under inhumane conditions. ![[27-GNT - 6.jpeg]] Nearby lies the German war cemetery, established in 1960, honoring 2,742 German soldiers with granite crosses, name-marked slabs, and a central natural-stone cross—an equally reverent tribute. ![[27-GNT - 7.jpeg]] ![[27-GNT - 8.jpeg]] We found ourselves moved to tears to think of the cost in human suffering from wars - and mankind does not seem to have learned lessons from the past. Soon after this stop there was an abrupt change in the landscape. More or less since arriving at Alta 16 days ago, the fjords and mountains have been our constant companions. Now we left the sea and ventured inland over the vast Saltfjellet plateau. The road winds through open tundra, framed by distant mountains and scattered lakes. This is our favourite type of country and always tempts us to long hikes - which sadly we had no time for now. ![[27-GNT - 13.jpeg]] ![[27-GNT - 9.jpeg]]![[27-GNT - 11.jpeg]] We stopped for lunch at a large empty parking lot. Beyond our caravan is the E6 and just beyond that is the railway line built by the POWs. ![[27-GNT - 12.jpeg]] We also crossed the Arctic Circle again. ![[27-GNT - 14.jpeg]] In the facilities at this 'Arctic Centre' I found the following notice above the men's urinals. Loved it! ![[27-GNT - 15.jpeg]] We stopped in Mo i Rana to charge the car, take in some groceries, and to admire the wonderful sculpture 'Havmannen' (the Sea Man) in the sea by one of our favourite artists, Anthony Gormley. ![[27-GNT - 16.jpeg]] Eventually we stopped for the night at a little campsite just north of Mosjøen, having done about 340 kms in five and a half hours driving. ![[27-GNT - 17.jpeg]] << [[The GNT, Day 26 - Flakstad to Mørsvikbotn]] | [[The GNT, Day 28 - Mosjøen to Levanger]] >>