Whilst not quite the comedy Marshmallow men of a few days ago, we're all togged up and ready to go. In all honesty, I think I overdid it a little .... So much so that I had to lose several layers by the time we'd crossed the road to the Ishavshotel, the other side. Here I am now though: woolly tights, ski socks, two long sleeve base layers, t-shirt, Haglofs (down ... Hmmm toastie warm) mid-layer barrier vest, salopettes, waterproof jacket, insulated gloves and wo...

Thought we'd give it the whole nine yards of the "Arctic Explorer" meal deal tonight, complete with hip flasks/mini bottles of brandy, flask of hot water, dried packet food (lamb casserole for J and vegetable soup for me) ... and even dried reindeer meat snacks pepperami-style (yuk!!!) for J. Whilst we're setting off at 2000 hours, we may not be back til 2am, for the expected amount of aurora chasing we'll be doing around the Arctic Circle. NB. Mum, we may need t...

Well what do you know? Good old Terence Conran's first Habitat shop eventually made it all the way from London's sixties Fulham Road store in Chelsea to the Arctic Circle, who'd have thought it possible back then huh?!

Here's a little look at the port of Tromsø, largest town north of the Arctic Circle and city with apparently the greatest number of old wooden houses in Northern Norway, the oldest one dating to 1789. Glad we were able to take a few photos before it started getting dark again; incredible again as it's only 13:26.

Tromsø is located in the heart of Northern Lights territory and supposedly among the best places on the planet to observe the phenomenon; even Nasa say the conditions needed to induce them have reached a peak this winter making them a relatively common sight in Tromsø. However, we've just heard from Morten at Lyngsfjord Adventure who has advised that we change to Polaria Aurora Hunting as it's overcast from around 20:00 this evening, with the promise of rain. S...