On remote mountains far beyond the Arctic Circle, there live a whole bunch of specialised butterflies, species that are, to me, almost mystical. About 16 species in all, the names alone are mouthwatering enough - Arctic Blue, Polar Fritillary, Dewy Ringlet, Norse Grayling and more.
However, with the world blighted by Coronavirus and its associated travel restrictions, and with myself suffering the consequences of tick-borne encephalitis, it might not seem the most apt time to ponder global travel.
However, it was exactly what I felt I needed, so I decided on a 2500 km drive from Lithuania to the extreme north of Scandinavia to try and locate a number of these highly localised butterflies.
For the best chances of seeing the widest range of them, the ideal scenario would be to visit northern localities in both Sweden and Norway, plus several in Finland whilst on route. However, in the current era, that was not going to be possible and, in many ways, this trip had potential to not quite go as planned. Of particular concern:
1. Borders! Due to Coronavirus restrictions, the Swedish land borders are absolutely closed with near zero chance of opening any time soon. As I depart, the Finland-Norway border is also closed to non-residents, though the Norwegian government is talking of relaxing this rule to residents of certain countries on 15 July, though it has not specified which countries. Without Norway, the trip is doomed.
2. My health state. None too good - a month on, the after-effects of tick-borne encephalitis still result in considerable pain in my neck, back and right arm, plus I have some paralysis/weakness in my right arm and hand. Also issues with my right leg - the knee sometimes buckling. I hope I am able to both drive the required distance and climb the mountains at the end.
3. Weather. All the key butterflies occur on high mountain tops and all require sunshine to fly, a rare commodity in such areas. Real possibility exists that adverse weather scuppers my chances.
4. Flight season. Many of the key butterflies fly from June to "mid-July". Arriving in the best areas only after the 15th, there is possibility that some of the species will no longer be flying. It wouldn't have been possible to visit earlier due to Coronavirus restrictions and my encephalitis.
However, with the world blighted by Coronavirus and its associated travel restrictions, and with myself suffering the consequences of tick-borne encephalitis, it might not seem the most apt time to ponder global travel.
However, it was exactly what I felt I needed, so I decided on a 2500 km drive from Lithuania to the extreme north of Scandinavia to try and locate a number of these highly localised butterflies.
For the best chances of seeing the widest range of them, the ideal scenario would be to visit northern localities in both Sweden and Norway, plus several in Finland whilst on route. However, in the current era, that was not going to be possible and, in many ways, this trip had potential to not quite go as planned. Of particular concern:
1. Borders! Due to Coronavirus restrictions, the Swedish land borders are absolutely closed with near zero chance of opening any time soon. As I depart, the Finland-Norway border is also closed to non-residents, though the Norwegian government is talking of relaxing this rule to residents of certain countries on 15 July, though it has not specified which countries. Without Norway, the trip is doomed.
2. My health state. None too good - a month on, the after-effects of tick-borne encephalitis still result in considerable pain in my neck, back and right arm, plus I have some paralysis/weakness in my right arm and hand. Also issues with my right leg - the knee sometimes buckling. I hope I am able to both drive the required distance and climb the mountains at the end.
3. Weather. All the key butterflies occur on high mountain tops and all require sunshine to fly, a rare commodity in such areas. Real possibility exists that adverse weather scuppers my chances.
4. Flight season. Many of the key butterflies fly from June to "mid-July". Arriving in the best areas only after the 15th, there is possibility that some of the species will no longer be flying. It wouldn't have been possible to visit earlier due to Coronavirus restrictions and my encephalitis.
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