We spent most of today (Weds 28 December) at the iMac...scanning Booking.com and AirBnb for places to stay during our Norway trip.
We debated whether to get the ferry over to the Lofoten islands from Bodø and drive back round over the ten days. Or whether to stay on the mainland and aim for Tromsø and back again. The ferry - probably not the best option for someone who feels queasy even on a canal. But Stu reckons he has endured worse when he went sea fishing (many moons ago) with his Dad. 'I might be moody, sick for the entire crossing and not want you near me - but it's only for three hours". So anyway - the other way only involves a one-hour ferry. But hardly any places to stay for miles and miles. By dinner time I was feeling very frustrated - having spent a day achieving nothing more than the hire car online book-in. Whereas Stu (whose glass was very clearly brimmeth over) decided we had achieved loads. "We've done a whole day of learning how hard it is to book this holiday. At least we can start tomorrow already knowing that". What the f*ck did he have to drink today? So anyway. Stu has been in bed since about 10.30. It is now 00:04 on Thursday morning. And I think I have found the answer - on a completely different booking site. One week stay in a cabin. With one hell of a view. Easy driving distance to some beautiful places. Do I book it? Or wait until the morning and risk either losing it or changing my mind again. I got as far as the Pay Now bit. And decided the obvious thing to do was to go write some blog. I might even go and make myself a decaf cappuccino too. I might get the courage and the inspiration to MAKE A BLOODY DECISION. (here's the cabin in question)
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Yesterday was hectic. It feels like we didn't stop until about 10pm.
Today? I have hardly moved. I've either been on the sofa or back in bed. Just before Christmas I came down with a virus - that makes me cough like a horse. It's not very attractive once I get going. And it kept me (and Stu) awake most of last night. I have no idea why it seemed to be better for Christmas day and then come back with a vengeance once the last guest had left - but I'm very grateful. The bonus of needing a lazy day today meant I was able to lounge around in one of two new pairs of PJs. With new slippers on. And some new thermal socks. Rock and bloody roll. I would have eaten lots of chocolate - but that sets me off wheezing and choking (is that a thing - chocolate brings on coughing fits?). I did manage to take my new Apple pencil out of its lovely white packaging (the ONLY packaging I seem to open with any care). I read the instructions - which involves four images and about ten words in total. Ok. So it is charged. Connected. And ready for use. To do what precisely? In the end I Googled it. "Best apps for Apple Pencil?". I downloaded two apps - one for photo / image editing and a colouring book. After half an hour I had no clue how to use the editing app but I had managed to colour in half a Christmas tree (before I started getting fidgety legs and feet - my body's way of letting me know I am either bored or need a pee). But the pencil is nice. Very nice. I have decided that for now...I am best using it for notes - once I get back to work. And I will be deleting the colouring book. I crave snow. I need it in my life.
I am constantly checking the weather in Iceland. And the ISK/GBP exchange rate. And it's not looking good. Right now they are 'enjoying' a mild winter. So mild they are even missing the snow themselves. And the ISK/GBP exchange rate? Pah. In a bid to find some slightly more affordable snow I have decided to try somewhere new. In an north easterly direction (or it could be NNE...I wish I had paid more attention at school). Anway - I have booked flights to Bodø, Norway. I chose there so that I get to use the special ø on my iMac - that and it is above the arctic circle. I've also booked the car - a big jeep thing (that better have studs). Next step was to look at places to stay - starting with night 1. And the final night. Booked. When I started to look at potential stops further north - Lofoten and Tromsø - I noticed that the road disappears. And is replaced by a ferry. So I decided against booking anything else until I have done more Googling homework. I have visions of tipping up for a quick ferry trip that has been cancelled due to bad weather. Meaning we can't get to our Norwegian cabin in spectacular surroundings. Looks like we might have to book as we go. Risky possibly. But as Stu says ' the worst thing that can happen is we have to sleep in the car a couple of nights'. Yep - that's the worst thing I can think of ever. Oh - old age has definitely kicked in. I popped into Waterstones in the Arndale the other day for some Norway guidebooks. I headed straight to the travel section - I'd been there before and knew where it was. I picked up a couple of books and a map. It wasn't until I got home that I realised that the reason I knew where the travel section was - was due to the fact that I had already done that exact same shopping trip. For Norway guidebooks. Knob. Head. Anyway - after a third trip to the same Waterstones to return a couple of duplicates - we now own everything on Norway that Waterstones stock. |
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November 2022
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