Day 11: Sunday 30th June

Coming home

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An early start...

LYR - OSL 07:20 - 10:15

OSL - LHR 13.15 - 14.35

Hopefully that will get us back home at a reasonable hour.

Day 10: Saturday 29th June

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On board MS Quest sailing around Spitsbergen

Day 9: Friday 28th June

On board MS Quest sailing around Spitsbergen

I'm running out of adjectives... yet another great day, this time after a fairly rough night in heavy seas.

This morning exploring on land, admiring a forest of polar willows, watching a Svalbard reindeer wander past us only to be mobbed first by a pair of Skuas and then by Arctic Terns.

We saw some King Eider ducks in the fjord so joined the Zodiacs to go and get a close view.

Then in the afternoon we cruised to a nearby glacier and spent 2 hours meandering slowly around in a Zodiac watching the birds, a seal and the creaking glacier... just fabulous

Day 8: Thursday 27th June

On board MS Quest sailing around Spitsbergen

A fascinating day in the pack ice well north of Spitsbergen.

We met the ice at about 8.00am and trundled steadily north through it. When the sea opened out a bit we boarded Zodiacs and went to explore the ice in more detail. Having selected a suitable looking patch we "beached" the Zodiac, climbed out and had 20 minutes or so to enjoy the vast remote area in peace in quiet.

In the afternoon a few brave souls took part in the Polar Plunge, not for us even with the ship's doctor on standby.

Not much wildlife around today, a selection of birds but none of the mammals we were hoping for.

Day 7: Wednesday 26th June

 On board MS Quest sailing around Spitsbergen

Just another stunning day, the misty weather made it rather atmospheric and prevented us from doing any landings.

But... we had extensive and fantastic views of three different polar bears and then, after dinner, a zodiac trip out to a large "pile" of walruses.

Back up north tomorrow, looking for the pack ice.

Day 6: Tuesday 25th June

On board MS Quest sailing around Spitsbergen

Another stunning and very varied day.

First a zodiac trip to a Guillemot colony of more than 100,000 birds on steep cliffs.

Then a walk along the beach to get close up with some Walrus swimming just a short distance from us.

Then a barbecue supper on board whilst the ship was parked just off an enormous glacier, the sea edge of the glacier extends for more than 100 miles