Tromso, Norway Day 2

This morning we wandered across the road to meet our tour.  We were delayed setting off as a gorup turned up with extra people that weren't booked on and some who were but weren't on the list.  They didn't have boots for them, there weren't enough seats in the minibus for them and one of the guides did not look pleased.  When we finally got on our way, we drove up to the park at the top of the city.

Thankfully there were two guides so the rowdy group went with one, the rest of us stuck with the other.  We'd been cross country skiing in Finland but that time we were in the premade tracks that ran through the forest.  This time we were actually going cross country, making our own route qand tracks through the trees and landscape.  We did a bit of downhill, I was very glad that the tree I went either side of was very short and very bendy!  Survived without falling over though, which can't be said for a lot of our group.  Toward the end, we stopped for hot blackcurrant juice and local biscuits.

Once back to town we had a few hours to look around, get some lunch and generally relax before our evening adventures.  Whilst looking out of our hotel window, we were lucky enough to see a sea otter in the harbour below!

At 5pm we boarded a bus for a drive out of the city to Camp Tamok.  Once we arrived, we were kitted out in thermal boots, suits, and everything we'd need for an evening of dog sledding.  We headed out and met our dogs, having sled before, we were put on the sled at the back and before long, we were out in to the forests and the wilderness, head torches lighting the way.  It was beautiful.  At the half way point we switched drivers.  Because of where we'd had to stop for her to tie up the dogs, we were on a corner and close to the trees.  Our guide warned us that we'd need to go slowly and that we might hit the trees. Nervously I lifted my weight forward, we skimmed along the trees and then came to a stop, wedged against two trees and unable to move.  The guide came back and freed us and then we were on our way.

When we got back to the camp we found out that the faint glimmer of green we thought we might have seen as we were heading throught he forest was the Northern Lights.

After we'd derobbed we headed in to a toasty warm Lavvu to warm up, and enjoy a hot drink and some local reindeer soup and a delicious bread.  The staff were really friendly and it made for a nice evening.  After dinner I set the tripod up and pointed it at all parts of the sky but no joy.  Home in time for bed at midnight!