Day 7 Thursday March 5th Tromso



view from boat

It had been overcast during

Finnsnes

the previous evening with no chance of seeing the northern lights - we live in hope.  We crossed into the Arctic circle in the early hours of the morning but we did not get up to mark the milestone.  By the time we had got ourselves together the weather had 

further lovely views

improved a bit but it was cold.  We breakfasted and 

bridge with mountains

then went on deck to look at a place we were calling at named Finnsnes.  A few people went ashore but we stayed on board and enjoyed the spectacular setting of the small town.  We were soon on our way with the next stop being Tromso at 1415.  We had lunch and got kitted out in everything except our thermals as we were going on a dog sledding expedition as soon as we landed.  It was warm in the clothes as we left the boat and climbed into a coach for the 30 minute journey to another island.  We went through a long tunnel which had a four way roundabout in it before we arrived on the island. 




sled convoy

When we arrived at the dog 

our "musher"

sledding operation we were offered extra clothes and gloves but we felt warm enough as we were.  We went to the sleds and were introduced to the dogs who were going to pull us.  They seemed a nice friendly team.  We were soon away going fairly quickly over the 

us in situ

fairly rough countryside.  

meeting dogs at the kennels

Our "musher" told us they were using common land which was also used for a variety of purposes.  It was not over a predefined course and there were quite often leaps and bumps.  After about 2km we stopped for a break and a photo opportunity.  There 

a friendly dog

were several sleds following our route and 

meeting a puppy

everyone seemed to be enjoying it.  It was snowing at times with a fair breeze and were grateful now for all our clothes.  I tried a bit of videoing but it was difficult to keep steady and in focus.  We were soon back at the finish and after 

the fire with coffee

saying goodbye to the dogs it was time to walk back to the kennel area.  Here there were the dogs which were not being used today for various reasons and in one large section were some newly born puppies.  We said hello to several of the dogs in their kennels and spent some time meeting some of the young puppies.  They all seemed to be very well treated.  After this we were taken to a café area where we enjoyed coffee and cake round an open fire with the equally enjoyable aroma of wood smoke present. 
 








It was soon time to catch the coach back to the boat.  It was still snowing and roundabouts 



roundabout like a pancake

looked like large pancakes, it was by now getting dark. We arrived at the boat and soon removed layers of clothes before getting ready for our dinner.  The boat left Tromso at this time (1830) and it was atmospheric leaving the city with all the lights on the shore.  Our menu was not quite as unrecognisable as the previous day's and we enjoyed the local fish main course.

After dinner we had coffee in the observation lounge and spoke to some people from Devon.  Eventually we retired to our cabin and read etc.  Tomorrow we look forward to going to the North Cape.