Oi Mush, know any dentists

 

Haven't experienced too many illnesses whilst travelling over the years but I guess that is the risk the more you do, and been blind sided a little on this one with that deadly combo of an illness (well significant toothache and exposed nerve) and a bank holiday weekend.

Only came to the fore late yesterday but made for an unpleasant night as painkillers not making an impact and of course it stops you a little fully enjoying the experiences on offer, whilst trying to resolve the issue at hand.  Made a bit of a call over breakfast; we had prebooked a Husky experience and with only an A&E kind of service available today was going to have to soldier on and hope we can resolve tomorrow when life gets back to normal.

Needless to say breakfast for me was light and squishy and we were soon meeting our tour company across the road from where we were staying. All went like clockwork, bus had Husky tours on the side, a guide did a roll call before we boarded, nothing like Iceland where we had to find an unmarked bus across a half a mile radius drop zone!

Was about 30 minutes drive out in the 'wilds' toward the snowier hills where sledges still very much the transport of choice.  Chrissi and I had chosen to go for the chauffeured husky ride as opposed to drive our own. We had our very own personal musher, love the word mush, takes me back to Swansea banter, and reflects a lot of my current dietary options.

Around 10 huskies took our particular heave and was an undulating course and we were out in the wilds for about 45 minutes. Not quite Call of the Wild or White Fang territory but it was these childhood books that conjured my interest in the husky breed. Great working dogs and very purposeful and sociable. Not a dog to be particularly playful, they have a job to do, but they are more than happy to engage with you and show no irritation at being petted if not bouncing up and down at the prospect.

Some of the nonsense I've seen on Strava this year I was almost tempted to clock it as an activity but refrained!

Had some time with the huskys as they cooled down and then taken into a nearby yurt kind of building where I was served reindeer stew and hot chocolate. Couldn't quite appreciate the food and drink as much as normal but took it slowly so maybe I did appreciate it more than normal!

The drive back to the hotel was a bit hot and bothery but was pleased that we have ticked this one off the bucket list and Chrissi probably even more bowled over by it than I as her expectations were perhaps a little lower.

Looked for some home toothache remedies (compressed ice, covering the cavity etc) and then took a stroll down the side of the fjord / harbour we are based upon taking in a few more local landmarks and sights.  Bryn keeping us up to speed on the football back home. #uppajacks

So many expeditions appear to have launched from this part of the world,every wharf seems to have its own story.  And whilst there are no bears this far south there are monuments to bears everywhere.  In fact there are monuments to just about everything everywhere. Loads of pubs too, highest number per head in Norway I am told, shame I can't get much value out of them today.

We did take in a bit of an institution in this part of the world, the famous hot dog stands, where I had a reindeer and beef hot dog and one glass of hot wine. Anyone would think its Xmas, maybe a bit like Narnia, its always a bit like Xmas here?  2 Reindeers less for next year though, Dasher and Dancer bit the dust today.