I’ll bet some of you imagined I had retired at last. Well, here I am again after having had a most wonderful vacation.
The Old Fellow and I spent 11 days aboard the Midnatsol in Norway waters from Bergen to the most northerly point of Europe.
It is surprising to see so many good-sized towns and cities so far north. There were apartments, condos and, of course, many wooden homes.
It was also a surprise to learn the climate there is much warmer than in northern Canada. They tell me this is because of the Gulf Stream.
Halfway through the voyage, we crossed the Arctic Circle. Imagine that! There was a special ceremony on the top deck and formalities to be observed.
First of all, Neptune appeared with his trident. In front of him stood a huge vat. We were informed we all had to be re-christened. The first brave soul volunteered and knelt down, whereupon Neptune dipped a ladle into the vat, pulled out at least six ice cubes, lifted the collar of the unsuspecting volunteer and dumped them down his back.
I gather it was all worth the agony as people were lined up to be tortured. It was a really wonderful time when so many people from so many countries were all laughing together. It didn’t matter they could not converse.
Of course, the Old Fellow lined up for this (without me, you can be sure). He wanted to be qualified for the certificate we were issued. He likes things official.
This documentation will be stashed away with other papers, like our certificate of kissing the Blarney Stone.
Every time we travel, we swear it will be the last time. It takes up almost two weeks before we have recuperated. It was not the cruise itself we found exhausting, but visiting Oslo and Bergen, the other smaller towns and the airports.
We travelled through Amsterdam, which I figure has the largest airport in the world. We landed at one end and flew to Oslo from the other end. It is like a small city. By the time you find your connecting flight and gate, you are not only worn out physically, but also from worry.
Now that we are home it is time for the Old Fellow to fill his albums with photographs and for me to write to new friends. We are weary, but contented to see our children, grandchildren, two beagles and the Fur Person.
No matter where you travel, the wonders you see, the people you meet and the experiences you have, it is wonderful to be home again, to our wonderful country, house and friends.
Everywhere I go people are always very solicitous, but it reminds me of what I am trying to forget. I am an old lady.
Rita Butt is a York Region resident and self-published author.