I was wondering what to write about this Sledge Dog Sunday. And then I had the brilliant idea of going down into the vault. Okay, that would be the basement, but vault sounds much cooler. In said vault, I happen to have about a metre in length of diaries and journals, and some truly depressing poems. One of the diaries was a sledge dog diary from December 1996 into January 1997 when I was in Alta, Norway. I’ve mentioned this trip before as my first experience with sledge dogs and sledging. And, well, here’s a page from the vault!
I’m just going to pluck the highlights from Day 1, and, conveniently, my twenty-three-year-old self arranged them with headings!
Thoughts
All in a jumble I’m afraid! “Feel the fear and do it anyway!” Stomach in knots, many trips to the toilet. Loneliness, afraid, unexpected, wanted to be mothered, but also happy that in order to be actually doing what I’m doing, I can’t be all that wimpy, can I?
Love the wanting to be mothered and concerns about being a wimp!
Travel
Newcastle to Stavanger (9°C) to Oslo (-6°C) to Tromso (-8°C) to Alta (-20°C). 4 planes, 16 hours, and a drop in temperature of 28° once in Norway. Mountains in Stavanger were beautiful, snow everywhere, saw the last of the sun in flight.
It was my first time seeing the sun set in the Arctic.
Roger
Once we started talking everything swell. He is taller than me. About 6’4″, smells of dog food!! But seems really genuine, gave his kennel helper time off – I’m replacing her.
Dogs
35 in all, about 24 adults. I will clean up their shit and talk to ’em.
Cabin
It’s cosy with large bed and couch, all wood, small kitchen area. Keep lights on all the time, keep heating on. Flush loo with bucket full of hot water, let hot water run before using anything else. Shower in the big house.
I love that I was using words like swell. And now you know if someone smells of dog food, then they must be genuine!
Also, had to smile at the cabin details and especially the use of the toilet! Which brings us nicely to the last entry of the first day.
Responsibilities
So far – clean shit up with two spades, place in a bag or in wheel barrow. It all goes on to the trailer. (Qu. on trailer loose or in bag?)
I’m thinking that last question was an important one!
Chris
😄😄 You were already sounding like a terse young Maratse before you even knew him! 😁 That first entry could have been written by ME on my first day of Army boot camp! 😮
Ah, boot camp. I’ve never tried it – no national service for my generation. I’m not sure I would have survived the army, and it was touch and go with the huskies! I was reading “Interview with a Vampire” and the lack of sunlight was suddenly quite atmospheric! 😉