We had another great dinner last night, a set meal again. Starters was a smoked duck breast fillet with peara, pecans and a berry sauce. Mains was coalfish with pickled onions, potatoes and cabbage and crisp ha. Crisp what you ask? What on earth is ‘ha’ – well we didnt have a clue, it was sliced in paper thin slivers and crisp, so could not recognise it by sight. We asked our waiter and he also had no clue. So he read the the Norwegian menu….and lo and behold a simple typo. It was ham….someone did not do a spell check! He was really amused as well and when he cleared our plates we said it was delicioua and he retorted with a “In spite of the ha!”

Licorice and caramel ice cream

Coalfish with potato and cabbage

Smoked duck breasr

We went to bed earliesh last night, but at around 10pm we got the announcement that the lights were visible. So same drill and onto deck. A bit clearer last night, but still no colour. But definitely some dancing around. Also did not as long as the previous night. But I am sure the universe is just doing a dress rehearsal for the big show.

we crossed the Arctic circle just after 7.20am this morning. So again full kit on over the PJs and onto the deck. It was still quite dark so although we could see the globe marker on the little island, the pictures do not do it justice, but we saw it none the less. Back to the cabins for showers and then off to breakfast. I confess that our chef is the soft boiled egg king of the world! 3 days in a row and they are perfect. Had the culutred milk as well as some crumpets this morning.

Then it was back on deck 7 for the arrival of King Neptune and the traditional Arctic baptism. Again, hilarious what people will do to themselves in the name of tradition. This crew were particularly eager to baptise us well. We each got two full ladles of ice water, including ice cubes down our backs. I have some good video material of this. I had light jeans on and seem to have got more water than ice…so I was drenched and it looked like I had pee’d in my pants. The only ice block I got seemed to have wedged itself in my my butt cheeks! Yep completely ladylike….  We then got our passports stamped with the Artic cirlce stamps.

I would love to read the mind of Hayley the Cleaner as she sees my jeans hanging behind my door today! We are now chilling in the lounge, waiting for the boat to dock in Bodo, where we will go for a walk in Bodo. Dawn has just advised that it is minus 1  only. So perhaps I will just go out in my tshirt and slops!!!!!

Dwan with the Article. Ircle marker glowing behind her

The Arctic circle marker

Sunrise this morning

With King Neptune

King Neptune

My pants after the baptism ceremony, hanging in bathroom

Got the passport stamp

We headed off to Bodo just after 12pm ina small bus offered by the noat company, for a fee. About an 8 minute trip. But the city was bland and not much to see or do. We walked up to the Church built in the 1950’s and back into town. The city was completely destroyed by bombing and the scorched earth policy of the Nazi’s who were trying to get to control all lands bordering Russia. Much credit is given ti the Red Cross for the rebuilding of the town. Many same shaped prefabricated wooden homes. Really not much to see or do in the short time,  we had not booked any of the excursions as they did not appeal to us. We missed lunch on the boat so the only decent spot we found was Peppe’s Pizza. After a mediocre pizza, we caught the bus back to the boat.

We watched the departure from the open deck and it was freezing cold with an icy wind blowing. Sunset tonight was ar 2.54pm and it was simply spectacular. The colours started out light pink and blue, became orange and purple. I just could not stop taking pics and videos, it was icy, my fingers were aching from the cold. I managed to stay out for abot 45 minutes, eventually my cheeks and lips were numb, my feet frozen and my fingers felt one step away from frost bite. But I am sure that you will agree from the pics that it was worth it. It was pitch dark by 4pm

Today’s treat was one scoop of cheese ice cream. We tested the fish ice cream, but it was a bit too fishy to be ice cream.Dawn had the cheese ice cream and the beer icecream. The beer one tastes just like beer too. I also had a Skillingsboller…a cinnamon roll. Like a chelsea bun but with no icing. Very yummy.

Right now just defrosting in the room. We walkednly 8000 steps today, about 6km. But I think we must stop measuring steps and start measuring the number of times we change per day.  We were called ar sparrow fart to see the arctic circle crossing. So straight out of bed in PJs into snw pants and jacket. Then showered and change into normal clothes for the dsy. But at 10am, we had the  arctic circle baptising ceremony, so changed shirts and jackets cos I knew we would get wet.

Which we did…sopping wet. So then changed back into normal jeans. Then changed back into snow pants for trip onto town. Now I am in a tracksuit and will change again for dinner shortly. Eish!!!!