It's easy to see now that having spent just a matter of a few summers weeks in 2014 in Norway we might have had fanciful optimistic ideals of what living aboard the same small boat in one of the harshest winter climates would be like.
We had visions of cruising throughout the winter, of barbecues on snowy beaches, northern lights reflecting on the frozen waters beside the boat. In these idealistic fantasies never once had we really considered the logistics.
And here it is the end of February, tucked up in our own little corner of paradise in the Norwegian Arctic. We admit we have through pure dumb luck found ourselves in an amazing position. The marina we chose to spend the majority of winter in has provided the most sheltered winter stay we could imagine and with plenty of areas to explore just a short walk or cruise away. We have been able to get all we ever wanted out of this winter and more.
Today on another one of those “I can't believe that it's so calm,it's supposed to be winter” moments, we stood high above our little floating home, the sun's rays hitting our icy cheeks and knee deep in snow we completed yet another of our winter hopes, a very norwegian wintery bbq!
These past few weeks have been a huge mixture of all sorts. We both left Quickstep for about a week,with the marina manager kindly keeping an eye on her with a shovel at the ready in case of heavy snow fall. Thankfully during this time there was little snow,a rarity in February.
Daniel then returned to Quickstep and for the first time since we reached Norway the boat was left short handed as Amanda headed to Orkney. Unfortunately for Daniel this time also brought some of the heaviest snow fall we have been around in Norway and so regularly daniel could be spotted with shovel and brush in hand… Amanda meanwhile was in a different world,no snow in sight and temperatures well above freezing.
During Amanda's absence Daniel also got stuck into some maintenance aboard with the help of some very friendly and helpful locals. He also went exploring by foot,without Amanda there to guide him (or drag her heels) one walk saw him return to the boat having covered around 50km!!
It's been a fun few weeks but it's also great to be back aboard together and a special treat of being able to get out and about. Last night saw us at the buoy in Kjøtta, a peaceful stop under the northern lights. This morning we motored further north again to Helloya where we have had a lovely day. The weather is set to deteriorate a little for a couple of days,before we will make our way back south to our winter berth in Hagan, hopefully stopping for some time in Bjarkøy on route.
Photos will follow when we have better signal
