The watercolour is painted from a small tourist cabin in the mountains above the town. There is a bridge crossing the Sortland strait. The ship is Hurtigruten leaving Sortland on its South bound voyage. It is easy.
Bridges connect the many islands.
The bridges have a great gradient forcing the bicyclists to dismount and walk to the top. Here is a 1600 meter long tunnel going through the mountain. It is unpleasant to bike in the tunnel. It is humid, cold and dark, and there is a terrible noise and pollution from the cars. But at the end of the tunnel you are out in the sunshine with a beautiful view and a free ride downhill.