Captain's Log #Star Date 2: Thursday 6th February 2014

I am sure Southampton is an interesting city to visit, but not on a February day in a steady downpour. We were not best pleased to discover that a medical emergency near the Azores had delayed the arrival of the Good Ship Boudicca which was due to take us on a long awaited Norwegian Oddessy.  Initially, it was to be a short 5 hour delay.

A hurriedly organised spot of retail therapy amply filled the time until we could drop off our luggage. As we sat in the warmth of West Quay Centre, finishing a leisurely lunch, we were disturbed by the trill of Michael's mobile.  It was not good news.

The text told us that the bad weather had lengthened the delay. Boudicca would now arrive in the early hours of Friday morning and embarkation would be mid morning.

Our initial annoyance was partially mollified when we discovered that Fred Olsen's had booked us into a plush suite in the Marriott Meon Valley, dinner, bed & breakfast included.  The only downside is that Michael will miss his trip to the  Aviation Museum in Bodo and some of the other trips may change. All part of the adventure of cruising. One never knows what will come along to heighten the excitement.

Hey Ho! Nothing is set in stone!  We travel in hope!  An early breakfast at 6.30 am is still preferable to the 3.30 am start we had this morning.

Morning Call

The strident call awakens me from slumber.
My sleep-filled eyes beheld the ghostly glow.
The digits said the hour was very early.
With weary feet we made our way below.

The taxi horn told us that time was pressing.
The luggage filled the hall behind the door.
Alarms all set, we locked the door behind us
Intent on being adventurous once more.

Captain's Log. #Star Date 1: 19th January 2014

I have been so stoked about my trip to Norway that I have posted entries haphazardly. This is my attempt to put things into chronological order. 

My Christmas present from Hubby was a cruise in search of the Northern Lights up the coast of Norway at the beginning of February 2014.  This was something that I had hankered to do for some time so my excitement was epic.  I wrote this poem in January in anticipation of this event.  I am sure the trip will not disappoint. 

Northern Lights

My love and I are sailing North 
into the twilight zone.
Where chill winds blow, no sun shines 
endless night winds moan. 

Nor dawn nor dusk marks  passing time;
nor sunset stains the sky. 
The pale moon wanes and waxes 
as the Milky Way floats by. 

Oft the heavenly firmament 
pulsates with rainbow hues 
as solar flares bombard the earth 
her surface to abuse. 

They beat with burning energy 
upon Von Allen's belt.
This shields and dissipates the wrath,
which would be harshly felt. 

The Aurora Borealis 
lights up the Arctic  skies 
with undulating curtains 
before our ravenous eyes. 

The beauteous spectacle we see 
serves to remind us all 
that God the father does protect 
and will not let us fall. 

(C) 2014 Terri Richardson 

Our final day in Norway

After two weeks of cruising up the coast of Norway into the Arctic Circle we did question the sanity of the fast cruiser we had booked to go round the Hjorundfjord at Alesund.  It was soon obvious that the money was well spent. 

The rising sun silhouetted the mountains in some places and added sharp contrasts in others. 

The spectacular mountains were covered by a fresh covering of snow. 

The cold of the air was heightened by the speed of the boat, but it was worth it to see the beauty of this wonderful country.

Soul-song of the lights

Soul-song of the Lights

Life is rich and varied on the Good Ship Boudicca,
so many things to occupy our days.
While we cruise along the fjords the sun lights up our stern;
snow-capped mountains mirrored in the millpond bays.

The midnight hour approaches, the Aurora comes to call,
a stampede to pay homage swamps the decks.
Shimmering drapes waft and waver with the soul-song of the lights,
with wonder in our hearts we crane our necks.

The full moon salutes Venus, but no-one seems to see.
They are pale against the Aurora curtained skies
which lights the Northern skies with pulsing rainbow hues
reflecting in the skyward gazing eyes.

Our Odyssey successful, we settle to enjoy
the wonders of this chilly Arctic land,
to learn about the Sami and the reindeer that they herd
as they fight the battle that these lands demands.

(C) 2014 Terri Richardson

14th Feb

The sheltered life

Cruise ship passengers have a cosseted existence.  Our every need is catered for.   Pleasant smiling faces surround us ready to do our bidding.

It amazes me to see the lengths the staff go to to make sure we have a good experience.  Our comfort is of paramount importance to these willing workers, who frequently go beyond what is required, with genuine good spirit.

Last night we stayed up beyond midnight and on entering one of the lounges we discovered a diminutive uniformed young lady, sitting at a table with her shoes kicked off, making strings of paper hearts which her male co-worker was festooning around the room. Both were humming away and looked happy and relaxed.  It was Valentine's Day and they were doing their bit to make it memorable.

The adventure continues

After the unavoidable delays we finally boarded our ship, the Boudicca, just before noon on Friday 7th February, duly setting sail for points north at about 3pm. Despite the delays the atmosphere on board was generally relaxed and jolly, with the exception of the usual professional complainers who seem to take their only pleasure in finding fault. I tend to steer clear of these misery mongers.

The day was set fair as we sailed into the North Sea. Settled in a comfortable cabin, we set off to explore the extensive facilities of our home for the next two weeks. There was a good programme of activities to amuse us, from classical music to light entertainment, wonderful talks, dance classes and other physical pursuits, craft, quizzes and many more too numerous to mention.

In the early evening we met our four dining companions, who proved, over the course of the next few days to be very agreeable and good fun to be with. We found we had innumerable areas of common interest.  We retired around 10.30 pm and were soon fast asleep in our comfortable berths.

Nearly ten hours later we awoke refreshed and hurried to dress to avoid missing breakfast. Strict vital hygiene measures were the order of the day for the first 72 hours as the Captain was determined that none of his passengers were going to be inconvenienced by ill health brought on board.

Captain Sten Ronny Jensen's broadcast of his Master's Report amuses us each day at noon, prefaced with a cheery "It's me again!"  He regaled us with details of where we were, our speed, bearings, etc, liberally sprinkled with anecdotes. From time to time he would point out landmarks and places of interest as we passed them.

So here we are steaming north through the Arctic Circle having already achieved our objective. After several false calls of "the lights are showing" we finally were rewarded at around 10.30 pm by a dazzling display above us as we sailed under a clear star-lit sky. The Aurora was visible for a full 25 minutes!  Success!  Anything more will be a massive bonus. Still lots to enjoy on this journey.

Chill

Foul Winter stalks the autumn wood,
rips molten hues from branch and stem.
Chill zephyrs cloud the evening mood 
crowned with a stellar diadem.

An icy touch turns all to white
beneath a crystal sprinkled sky.
Before my face a ghostly sprite
hangs in the air as I walk by.

A chilling stillness seeps into
the marrow in my shiv'ring bones.
Where, once, the north wind, raging, blew
it creeps among the trees and moans.


Hunched up against such freezing might
I wander through the depth of night.

(C) 2014 Terri Richardson 

A Sonnet onWinter