Hunting the Light and Chasing the Dream

On Sunday we boarded the cruise ship HMS Lofoten at Trondheim Harbour.

It is the oldest and most charming of the working tour boats that travel North and South, servicing the towns along the coast. Our destination..Tromso the largest town in the Nordland.

Our cabin is in the bowels of the ship but comfortable and very warm. The whole interior is very traditional, lots of brass and wood and plush furniture. The crew are friendly and helpful.

We settled in for the afternoon, watching the scenery elongated shadows and low level golden sunlight lit the fjords and the sea.

 And then .....Sunset

Sadly my camera was not the best and Fraser's was not playing the game. But there was a sun pillar in the sky which was such a deep crimson that it looked like something out of Mordor in the Lord of the Rings! 

 

A rare sight apparently and a good omen for us.

We saw nothing more before turning in at about 11pm.We were then woken at 1am with a call that the northern light was coming.

We couldn't believe our luck. The narrow arc of pale green light in the sky rose up slowly from the northern horizon dissipated and separated. Fraser managed to get this shot despite the movement of the ship.

It was minus 5 outside with a chill factor minus 12 degrees so once it seemed to have faded we went into the salon to warm up and wait. Just before we headed back to bed at around 2.30 took a final look outside and the arc condensed for just a few minutes and then began to fold into horizontal lengths of green. Sadly not a shot of that but it was just wonderful to see. Got to bed just after 3 am feeling that at least we had seen the elusive light.

Up at 6.30am to see the sunrise and to be outside for the moment when we crossed the Arctic Circle just after 7am leaving the North Sea and entering the Arctic Ocean.  

There is a lit beacon in the shape of a wired hollow globe marking the point. It was an epic moment.

Later at the crossing ceremony we were all invited to celebrate by having iced water poured down our necks and a shot of snaps! Had to comply of course.  

We have a certificate too to prove we crossed the Arctic Circle into the Arctic Ocean.

We spent a relaxing day enjoying being in open water further north than we had ever been.But then...around 8pm while we were docked at Stamsund we got THE CALL and went out to see the most incredible aurora. Having left the lights of the dock to head on, the display intensified into an hour's lightshow. Speechless so here are a few shots to whet the appetite. We both felt so moved and thankful.

We feel we have been luckier than some but are still hoping for more once we reach Tromso. 

But first....when we arrive we are going Dog Sledding and to cuddle the huskies.....................! Watch this space!