Bodo - sea eagles - Trollfjiord

Sat 25 Jan: No Northern lights last night despite a good forecast. Probably a good thing, as we needed the sleep after 12k steps yesterday. Late breakfast, the usual 3 or 4 courses, then entry to the very beautiful port of Ornes, for a ten minute stop. The icy mountains around were layered into the distance, dark against the occasional splash of gold sunlight. As we left, we passed a small island nearby where several people were waving madly. It is such a simple thing, strangers waving at strangers, such a small but lovely connection. Then on past more towering mountains, in these deep icy waters, until the ceremony of crossing the arctic circle was held outside. A member of crew dressed as Neptune in beard, crown and furry robe, and iced water was poured down the necks of anyone who volunteered- not including us, who watched from an upper deck, dry and warm. Early lunch to make way for the next two hour stop at Bodo.

We put on more layers than ever and as we looked out from the boat, we saw white tailed sea eagles over the island to the left of Bodo. Soon after we ventured out into the fiercely windy exterior, walking over to the middle of the small town. Straight into the Red Cross shop, where Nic found a lovely brandy glass with a Faering Norwegian boat on it. The lady on the till said she sails one of those traditional boats. We also bought four sharp steak knives, to match the two bought in Denmark years ago when on Sirena IV. All for £3. We saw the outside of the big, modern church, and made towards the waterside where we scanned the sky again for white tailed eagles, but no luck.

Back to the ship, where we sat on deck and watched again for eagles, and saw one distantly over the island. In the room we had tea and biscuits.
We had a nap, given it would be a late night and then had a tasty dinner at our usual table. L talked to the hotel manager for a possible BBC piece about the ship. Played Scrabble, which Lesley won. Then the ship docked again and we had a late and cold 50 minute trip out to Svolvaer, to the Magic Ice Bar for a drink, in an ice glass, and a gaze at giant ice sculptures.



Last thing, we ventured out for fishcakes at 1115 and a look at the narrow Troll Fjord, lit up specially for us to see. Fell into beds at 0015.


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