Day 8 - Into the Arctic Circle.

After leaving Trondheim behind us we headed north and at approximately 5.30 this morning we crossed the Arctic Circle. I had always thought that this was a line of latitude much like the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn but was surprised to find out its true meaning. The Arctic Circle is the area of the world that has 24 hours of daylight on the summer solstice but more of that later.
As I mentioned yesterday we ate last night in the Crown Grill, a steak and seafood speciality restaurant that was well worth the treat. We both started with seafood appetisers, Sylvia with a Lobster Cake and me with Black Tiger Prawns, an excellent choice. The soups came next Shrimp Bisque for Sylvia while I chose French Onion Soup. Sylvia continued the fish theme into the main course with the Sea Bass but I fancied a steak. I did toy with the 22oz Porterhouse but went instead for the muck lighter Kansas City Strip at a mere 16ozs. Cooked medium rare it melted in my mouth. The choice for sweet was equally difficult so I decided on the sampling plate of the four available desserts.

The chocolate shouffle was a little heavy but the other three were superb. When I told the waiter that having sampled the desserts I was ready to choose the one I wanted he was ready to bring me one. I was only joking!!

Although we are not at the solstice yet the sun had not set last night until well after midnight, as this photo taken at 12.15 shows.

Tonight it probably wont set at all, we’ll see how late we can stay up to witness the event.
The temperature outside today was very cold with a strong head wind adding to the chill factor. We tracked the coast throughout the day with his high snowcapped peaks.

Sylvia like many others wrapped up well in the morning trying to capture that perfect photograph.

The sun came out in the afternoon and in the shelter of the balcony it was warm enough for a spot of sunbathing.

We have just been told that tomorrow morning at 6.30 we will reach the most Northern point of our journey so an early night is called for. We’ll get the midnight sun photo tomorrow!!!