02.07.12 Monday
Noon and we are embarked. The HertiGruten ferry, MS Polarlys, has absorbed us on board and it's a lads delight to watch the handling of the thing. We've begun our voyage north then south to Trondheim via mainland Europe's most northerly point. With this plate flat sea our passage ought to be most pleasant. The survivors of the arctic winter convoys would have a different tale to tell of these deceptive waters at the tail of the Gulf Stream.

We've time now to reflect on our passage through Russia and the welcome offered by the Murmansk Rotary Club. Contacted by Roger with the expectation they might perhaps meet us and offer a little local advice and guidence they have hosted us in manner far and beyond anything we could have anticipated. Our constant guide, their executive secretary Valentina, was outstandingly good. She well deserves praise for her preparation and presentation. We can speak as we have found and tell it as it is. For us Russia has been a splendid experience. Perhaps in an idle moment it may be they may discover our blog and take pride in what they did for us. We thank them for it. Were this a meeting it would merit a prolonged round of applause.

This now is Viking territory, a place a place made familiar by the Sunday supplement travelogues. Our amateur offering can thus add but little to that already on record. We shall see.