14-18 March - A 4-night visit to Nellim in Finnish Lapland, at 69 deg N well above the Arctic Circle - a wintry wilderness, with lakes deep-frozen and plenty of snow lying. The primary reason was the Aurora borealis, which did not disappoint, and gave us a stunning display right across the sky at this latitude, with bright loops turning and dancing in the sky..... the full-on supporting cast of activities included a 20-km husky dog sledge ride, snowmobiling, and a 3 hr walk with snowshoes. The abiding memory is of the silence of the freezing landscape, starkly beautiful with the pine forests illuminated in winter sunlight. The silence of the landscape was enhanced by the paucity of wildlife, apart from the semi-domesticated Reindeer. Birds totalled just 11 species, quality not quantity - including Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit, Willow Tit, Pine Grosbeak and Capercaillie. Overall, a truly memorable holiday, ans an awe-inspiring Northern Lights experience.
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