So to round off our Monday we had a blast of swirling green. Followed by a storm. We got up this morning to the same storm. Very strong winds and driving rain. One of those days when you'd rather snuggle up on the sofa with Netflix. However, we set off and after ten minutes of driving to the other side of the mountain behind us....no storm. Today was all about culture. A trip to the Alta museum (World Heritage Rock Art Centre) to see ancient rock carvings and to learn a little about Sami. Nb: It is worth mentioning that on entering the museum, after paying our entrance fee, we were told that the rock carvings were outside (obvious) and that they didn't recommend we walk down as it was slippy. Of course we were going. We'd just paid - in real money. So she provided studs for our shoes. Which prevented us from slipping. Genius eh? I didn't mention that our boots had their own studs that we could use. You know..use theirs and get our pennies worth. Of course the same storm that blighted us at the cabin was also battering Alta fjord. So we got wet. The storm is dying down here at the cabin now - but the skies are very heavy and I don't think there is a hope in hell of anyone turning on the big light. So we're doing the Netflix thing and binging on The Sinner. Tomorrow the weather forecast is far better inland. So, provided we get out of bed early, we'll probably head towards Kautokeino or Karasjok. Land of the Sami. It'll be a long day (I say day....the majority of the driving will be done in the dark). But there's a chance we can get close to reindeer. So it's got to be worth it...right? Today's photos: Some of the rock carvings that we could actually make out
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Even though we woke early and were dressed and ready to head off out before 8am - we decided against the ferry ride to Sørøya. Instead we decided to head back in the direction of Tromsø to the little island Skjervøya. As Google had reliably informed us that this is the area that the whales are hanging out this year. Two and a half hours later we pulled in to admire a view of the fjord. We ended up staying there for over two hours - as the water was literally teeming with Orcas and Humpbacks. Though they were some distance from the roadside we had a good wide view. You literally didn't know where to look. Whales everywhere. All feeding together. We then headed to the island - pausing to take in another view and to watch another group of orcas. Further on to the island, two tunnels and a bridge later, we came across some reindeer. And a sea eagle. It's 15: 20 (dark), we're back at the cabin and the skies are clear. All we need is the lights to come on tonight to round off a great day. On a completely different note: I can't quite understand sleep. Every night I struggle to doze off. Fidgety, hot and restless. But stick me behind the wheel of a car with the heater on, warmed up seat and my huge coat and I could fall asleep in a second. Obviously that is dangerous. So we always break up long drives with pitstops and Stu twitters away to keep my mind active. Anyway. I've decided that when I get home I'm going to buy myself a fake steering wheel, wrap up warm, propped up in bed and pretend to drive. I should fall asleep right away.... Today's photos....views and some over-zoomed whale pics as evidence we saw them (none of the reindeer or eagle I'm afraid...) We arrived in Tromsø around 7pm on Friday night - picked up the car and drove the five minutes to our first night's stop. Up bright on early on Saturday morning - a quick stop at the supermarket - then off in the direction of North. Our route took us on a couple of ferries - which we were lucky to have timed to perfection. And by the time we got to the area that the cabin is located it was pitch black (around 3.30pm). After half an hour of bickering we finally found the right spot. Marked by absolutely nothing. Pure chance that we came across it. The cabin (house) is pretty nice. Plenty of room and, as we discovered this morning, a fantastic view across the fjord to the glacier. Last night we saw some flickers of green - but as the prediction was low (around 0.33kp) we didn't stay up past midnight. So for me, bed at midnight, and four wake-ups in the night to check if the prediction was wrong. Our provisional plans for today were to catch the 8.20am ferry to Sørøya and spend the daylight hours taking in the scenery there. Failed at the first post as we overslept and woke at 9am. So instead we set off to try and reach Øksfjordjøkelen glacier. There are a few possible routes - a couple involving a ferry trip. So we chose the route from a little town called Saltnes - within easy driving distance. It's a 2.8km stumble from the car park through mud, slippy rocks and streams. And we got pretty close. Foiled this time by a rather large and fast flowing stream that cut across the route. We could have done a Bear Grylls and taken our boots off, rolled trousers up and waded across. But it looked a little hairy and bloody cold. So we turned back. To be honest it's probably a good job we did as by the time we turned back (12.30) the sun was already going down. In summary - a short but lovely day. And we managed to spot a tiny owl sitting on a telegraph pole. And tomorrow we might just try that ferry trip - weather dependent (it's one and a half hours each way - and as Stu is sea sick on a narrow boat, we need a still day). Oh...and I have just discovered that I've left the cable for the Canon 5D at home. So any photos I upload while we're here will be iPhone X and the small Canon bridge camera. Did you all just breathe a sigh of relief - now that you know you won't be bombarded with photos of green? On that note - today's iPhone photos... Every time I agree to photograph a friend's wedding I forget just how damned hard it is.
The lighting, the location, the guests, the weather and in this case...the interval of a show. It seems that a lot of guests at weddings take a dislike to the photographer. You'd think we were doing our job just to piss them off and delay them getting a glass of fizz...just for the fun of it. And not so that the bride and groom have as many memories as possible captured from their special day. "So if we can all get into position for the groups shots..." I say to myself as everyone completes blanks me, continues mingling or snaffles the bride and groom as they rush past to take their place. Ten minutes later, with the event manager warning me it's two minutes until the interval, we're no further on. It's those moments when I could cry. Give up. And join them drinking bubbles. I get it. It's exciting. They are dying to congratulate the happy couple. But for the love of God. Can you not wait for half an hour? You know I like a good plan. Well not as much as yesterday's groom. The two best men had a copy each - with one organised chap having highlighted the best bits (I actually have no clue what he had highlighted so I'm just guessing). Of course that plan isn't worth the paper it is printed on once you get past the arrival of the bride. The timings have already gone to fuck. Anyway...given the shit lighting, no flash allowed (always the rule...so this place wasn't unique) and the rather dramatic colours in the venue I didn't sleep last night as I was completely crapping myself about today's 'upload from camera'.
Though for all the stress associated with photographing such an important event - these two were absolute stars. The guests were treated to the most moving and funny vows and lots of giggles throughout the ceremony. One of my faves...."I take thee, [...] to be my awful wedded husband". Here's to you both - wishing you a long and happy life together filled with laughs and love. Stu is frantically plastering the attic bedroom / office / dressing room - he's determined we'll be in that room by Christmas.
I've helped a little - stripping paint from loft doors and architrave. Such a frustrating job as every bit of woodwork in this house has an undercoat of brown gunk. Beneath layers of badly applied paint. But it will be worth it in the end. He keeps reminding me that I need to decide on paint colours. But there is so much choice! And I've forgotten what colour the bed is - we ordered it that long ago. My current favourite, one I can't get out of my mind, is Hague Blue (Farrow and Ball) for the bedroom. It will be a bold choice if we decide to use it. And bloody expensive (unless I colour-match with Valspar). And then we need to choose carpet. I need to get that right - I want the same in every room upstairs. I want the space to flow. Years ago we might have sanded the boards and gone with rugs instead. But I am so sick of the dark brown wood floor and just know that sanding will be a nightmare - so carpet is the only option. All the doors in this house are stripped back - they were like that when we bought it. So Stu was slightly perturbed last night when I said I want them all painted. We have a lot of dark pockets in this house - I want to bring in as much light as possible (which goes against the idea of using a dark blue paint in the bedroom - but let's just go with it). Mind you - cover the grotty dark brown wood floors with a decent carpet and that will immediately lighten things up. In other news:
And finally, finally: I've not bought a single Christmas present. So now, having just realised that, I'm starting to hyperventilate. Today's photo: Ready for the trip - cabin and nearest shop marked up. |
DebbieMe, my life, my family and my travels Archives
November 2022
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