We arrived in Tromsø at 08:45 with little daylight, little wind and a temperature of -5ºC. At home we would call this dawn, but work places are already open. Having passed the Arctic Circle and because of the tilt of the Earth away from the sun at this time of year we experience more darkness …
Early this morning was the first time we experienced bright and clear light on the voyage. This light can play tricks on the eyes according to the Inuit and today there was a snow covered peak on the horizon which just looked like an iceberg. At 08:30 it was 0ºC and was expected to rise …
We departed Ålesund at 09:30 with light snow showers and a temperature of 2ºC. We are heading north but because of the storm we will not be stopping at Brønnøysund. The storm is massive and we have seen it on BBC World Weather. By lunchtime, when we were in the open ocean there were high waves and …
We were awakened today by the Captain, who announced that it was 6ºC, the pressure was falling and following our overnight journey through the Inner Passage we would dock in Ålesund about 11:30. He did say that a storm was expected later with Force 9 or 10 winds which would make the next part of …
Since last night’s posting we have been informed that 3 crew members had tested positive for Covid. At the beginning of the day this does not seem to be changing anything. We awoke at 9:00 a.m. with the sun only just rising as we had moved one hour forward into European Time. During the night …
Storm! At 08:00 we were heading NE in the middle of the North Sea, more or less opposite the Humber Estuary, with a moderate swell and cloud that was clearing. At 09:15 the Captain announced, “that currently the temperature was 9.5 C with winds from the west at Force 6 and a 3 metre sea. …
Yesterday, having travelled from Manchester by train, we stayed at the Dover Spa Hotel which is housed within a crescent of 17th century buildings. It overlooks the Dover Beach between the car ferry port (Eastern Docks and the former Dover Marine Station and the nearby Western Docks). This area is being ‘reinvented’ as the …
January 2022 In 1911 whilst on the ill-fated British Antarctic Expedition, Captain R. F. Scott noted in his diary an extraordinary display of the Aurora Australis – the Southern Lights. He wrote, “It is impossible to witness such a beautiful phenomenon without a sense of awe and yet this sentiment is not inspired by its …
We returned home via the crossing of the River Lune by the Lancaster Canal. Thought, by many, to be the highlight of the canal, the Lune Aqueduct can today be seen below on the riverside and from the towpath. Designed by John Rennie, it is 600ft long, 50ft high and has five 70ft diameter arches. …
Today we explored the Kendal area of the South Lakes by double decker bus. The 755 Heysham to Windermere and Bowness Pier via Carnforth and Kendal was our chosen transport and the brilliant thing was, for us, it was all for free!! Clinging to Morecambe Bay at first the route eventually turns inland to reach …