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Sunshine crossing the Arctic Circle on the Polarlys

I felt fully rested when I woke up on Day 10 of my coastal journey along Norway's coast on Hurtigruten.  

And I was greeted with this!!  

Blue skies and sunshine!!!  




My mood was as happy as this weather as finally, after ten days I tested negative for covid.  Yay!!  

And here we are crossing back over the Arctic Circle. 

I was so happy to find out there was another ceremony to celebrate this as I had missed the last one. 


This involved getting a dose of cod liver oil from the Captain.  Yuck, I know. I have no idea where the tradition came from or whether it's just something Hurtigruten dreamed up. However if we took part in this we got a free souvenir spoon. I'm all about free things  - if it's something I want that is and I wanted a souvenir spoon.   It was totally worth it despite the rank taste of the cod liver oil.  


I had to swallow the stuff not once but twice as the person I asked to take a photo didn't take it in time.  Still worth it for my nice spoon that I use most days.  

Champagne at 9 a.m?  Why not!!  Champagne was for sale so I had to have some to toast being covid free and crossing the Arctic Circle. (again) 

I had a chat with a couple from California (the husband was a doctor) who were wearing N95 masks (as I had done) and told me they had covid and had gotten it on the ship.  I  had been so careful however there was a lot of coughing on board and people not taking any precautions so I knew it wasn't from me.  I know covid is a controversial subject so I won't say much but I just did not want to pass it on to anyone.  Even if it's "just a cold" (sarcasm) it is an inconvenience.  

Very interesting looking mountain!!!  

Our next stop was Bronnoysund which has a population of about 5,000.  There was a line to take a photo of this rock and yes I was in it.  I didn't find much of interest but that doesn't mean there wasn't.  I never judge a place as "boring" as there is always something somewhere that is special in every place - I truly believe that.  I just didn't find it!!  It had pretty harbour views though! 




This was my mood today.  I stopped into the grocery store behind this adorable sculpture (I guess that's the "something special" for me) to pick up a few snacks.  


There's the Polarlys in the distance waiting for me to come back.  I grew to love this ship so much.  


And then we were off again. 



Shortly after we left Bronnoysund we were treated to something very unique. 


A mountain with a hole in it!  This is Torghatten.  Scientists say that the sea washed against a weak part of the mountain when the land was lower than it is now.  Legend has it an arrow was shot through. 

That evening was a sit-down dinner at our assigned tables.  I sat with Sally again and we had a pleasant long chat. Her husband was still sick.  I noted in my diary that I had carrot soup, haddock with potato and carrots (going for the healthy option - good girl!) and caramel and fudge ice cream. (okay I really was trying to balance bad and good out)  I only took a picture of the ice cream as let's face it fish with veggies isn't the most exciting picture. (fish and chips are a different story) 


The ice cream was delicious!!!  

I went to bed that night tired but happy.  What a great day!!! 


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