On our way North

We have been told we’re on a flight and to be at the airport by 11am.

We had a few hours this morning – no need for an early rise. I snuggled up to Mum.

I like these quiet moments – rather than those confusing moments of where we’re going next.

We eventually got up and got ready to get on the Airport Bus – and try again to see if we can take off.

We were checked in and went to the same gate … Mum said we should take a photo with this poster …

We went through immigration, and finally … we were boarding.

Goodbye Tromso!

And soon the announcement came that we will soon be landing in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.

Svalbard – here we come!

And we have landed!

We got off the plane and walked the short distance to the terminal …

We needed to go to the Service Desk to register my arrival. It wasn’t difficult as we had all our papers in place. Anyone bringing an animal to Svalbard has to apply for permission from the Mattilsynet (the Norwegian Food Safety Authority). The rules are even stricter than us returning to the UK – because they are trying to prevent any spread of rabies. Because we had done the rabies titre test in anticipation of Brexit, we were well prepared for what they required.

We got on the Airport Bus to the town centre … and as this is our first AirBnB experience, Mum was a little unsure of where to go. Always ask and someone will point us in the right direction.

Nicely surprised – Mum was pleased. But we’re missing room service and a restaurant downstairs so we had to go to the supermarket to get some food – especially for me! Mum remembered where it was from the last time she was here – eight years ago. We walked along the Main Street of Longyearbyen.

And then Mum spotted this guy …

Mum went inside the store and asked his owner.

We were happy to go back to our apartment and stay warm till we had to go out again for my last toilet walk.

May’s comment: I was in Longyearbyen eight years ago (pre-Darcy) and had quite an adventure – crossing the Spitbergen island on the back of a Snowmobile (I couldn’t drive one) and staying overnight at Radio Isfjord and husky sledding. As we were already in Sweden, I just had this crazy idea to re-visit with Darcy. I knew there is no way I could repeat any of those crazy, fun adventures. This time I just wanted to be away for a few days – just me and D. – to catch up on things I can’t seem to find the time to do. Do I really have to go so far away? Well, it’s always an adventure that calls my name!

Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, midway between Norway and the North Pole … from 74° to 81° north latitude, so really quite up North!

Though not part of any Norwegian County, it is administered by the Governor appointed by the Government of Norway.

I love the wildness of the place. I seem to like cold places to visit.