Authentic Arctic Thrillers
I built this dog house for Simba, the bitch with the boy’s name. Yes, that really doesn’t sound good, but … back on topic. I scavenged all kinds of wood to build this, and I was so very, very proud of myself.
It was heavy.
I was less proud and a little pissed off when I had to carry the damn thing up the rocks to where Simba lived.
And then it was in place.
Proud again!
The boys looked at it like they wanted to christen it.
Simba moved in.
To be continued…
Chris
Title says it all, really!
It’s getting closer!
I fell in love with Northern Lights when I was studying in Glasgow. I discovered that children’s paperbacks were cheaper than more adult reading material, and splashed out a bit of student loan on Philip Pullman’s book. Well, I’m pretty sure I missed an assignment deadline because of it. I know I spent my student loan on a trip to Alta, Norway, to work at a sledge dog kennel because of it. And, damn it, it’s highly probable that I married Jane because… well… all the Danish words in it! 🙂
Okay, there might be more to our marriage than that …
However, I know for a fact that I was inspired to move to Greenland in search of the places Pullman describes in Northern Lights. Several years later, I even wrote my homage to Northern Lights about a certain ice master called Captain Erroneous Smith!
However, this photo is a random find from the hard drive when I was stuck in Ilulissat one winter.
Happily stuck with a fabulous book!
Chris
Jane and I left Scotland in December 2000. I returned in the middle of September 2022 – yep, just got back – for a gentle stroll along the West Highland Way. There are lots of ways to do the Way, such as shuttling your bags with a company who drops your gear off at a B&B or even a hotel.
Or you can carry it.
There might be other ways. I did say lots, but, honestly, after day three days carrying a whole heap o’ crap I didn’t care anymore. Apparently, I’m not 20 anymore! Also, I’m thinking my Scarpa leather boots that I bought when I was 19, might have needed breaking in again! I love and hate those boots!
Six blisters on both feet, blisters under blisters. Yeah… I wasn’t a happy bunny. Cousin Stu on the other hand… Yeah, we don’t talk about the “warm toasty feeling” in his feet at the end of each day. But then, after about twenty years of no alcohol, I rediscovered cider and things got a little better from there.
The best days were when we climbed, although coming down was a tad hard on the toes – black toenail waiting to fall off… I’m looking at you! 🙂
Anyway, just thought I’d share a few photos from the Way, all 96 miles of it!
Thanks, Stu!
Chris
Some days were just spiritual!