Between December 5th and 9th 2013, I spent four days in Tromsø, Norway, with friends Sue and Simon, hoping to see the Northern Lights. This is a photo album of our trip. This is the first 100 photos in the gallery. To see the other 36, go to the Flickr page here. Related articles Everything you need to know about visiting the Arctic
2013 was a year that will always by in my memory, thanks to the wedding of my eldest son Jamie, to his long-time partner Alice, and four amazing holidays. My trips this year took me to the Outer Hebrides, along the railways of North Wales and return visits to Tromsø and Herm. Jamie’s and Alice’s Wedding The wedding took place on June 8th and was a day to remember. The ceremony took place in the Booking Office of the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley and was followed by lunch on a steam train, which made several journeys along the line [Read more]
At this time of year, I often reflect on what I have done in the past year, and I think ahead to what I want to do, and where I want to visit, in the coming year. In the last five years, I have had some memorable holidays abroad. I have seen a total eclipse in China, an annular eclipse in Kenya, been on safari in the Masai Mara, toured Switzerland by rail, visiting the highest railway station in Europe, seen the Northern Lights, Polar Night and Midnight Sun in Norway, seen volcanoes in Iceland, and watched the jet-set in [Read more]
Following a very enjoyable early December holiday in Alta last year, where I saw a wonderful display of the Aurora Borealis, I decided to visit Norway again this year. Having visited the city of Tromsø in July 2012, I decided that I would return to the city to see the Polar Night, as well as attempting to view the Northern Lights. I booked a holiday, with my friends Sue and Simon, arriving in Tromsø on Thursday December 5th 2013, and returning on Monday 9th. Our holiday was arranged by Taber Holidays, who arranged my previous visit to Tromsø, as well as my Alta [Read more]
It is now three weeks since my 60th birthday and during a quiet moment, I was thinking how much I had changed in the approach to this landmark in my life. Only a couple of years ago, I was really into cricket and having a few jars at the weekend, but now, all that has changed. I lost all interest in cricket when my lads finished playing. As press officer for Langley Mill United, I used to spend all my Summer weekends, and a few hours during the week, supporting my club. All that changed last season. I resigned my [Read more]
Today was the day I had set out to see the Midnight Sun. The weather forecast was good, and the rain clouds were likely to disperse around midday. I wasn’t disappointed. After breakfast from the cold buffet, I took the bus to the Botanic Gardens. These were quite impressive and included hardy plants from all over the World. There were separate sections dedicated to different areas and I had a pleasant two hours there. When I returned to the city, I freshened up and headed out for a meal at the Fiskekompani restaurant next door to my hotel. Although very [Read more]
After a 13 hour journey, I finally arrived at my hotel in Tromsø. I am staying at the Clarion Collection With Hotel – pronounced with a silent ‘h’, as in wit. The hotel is right on the harbour, with great views of the Tromsø Bridge, or there would be if it wasn’t so misty. It has poured with rain since I arrived in the town, and it looks set for the night. No Midnight Sun today. I left home this morning at 05:15 and arrived at Heathrow at 08:30, an hour later than planned due to the traffic. After checking [Read more]