It was utter bliss last night getting into a lovely, comfy bed. Slept in fits and starts dreaming on and off all night. Kept waking up trying to get out of a deep hole but it wasn't snow at all only the white duvet !!!

Spent ages enjoying the hot water of the shower so come out of the shower looking like a lobster. Karen shows off all her bruises - she is black and blue, has some humongous ones at least 4 which are 8" long and 4" wide across her stomach and legs. I managed to get away with only having a big one across the back of my knee where a runaway sled ploughed into me and a small one across my hip bone.

We go down to the dining room and enjoyed a delicious continental breakfast. Everyone comments how strange it seems not going to see our dogs. We swapped stories with Alan, Peter, Jeremy and Laurie, they had stayed in the bar last night until the early hours and are all looking a little fragile. After breakfast we're able to go and take a quick walk around Tromso before we have to meet up again to be taken to the airport.

We stayed at the Clarion Collection Hotel (very nice) which was right on the waterfront

Walking around the habrour we came across a little square with the memorial statue of Roal Amundsen, famous Norwegian polar explorer

We really liked Tromso with its quaint little streets and mix of old and new buildings. I would love to go back some time with my hubby to explore the surrounding countryside, I know he would love it and it.

Tore drove us back to the airport in the centre minibus and just before we went inside he gave us all a little husky key ring as a memento!

The day ahead was flight from Tromso to Oslo, Oslo to London and 5 of us would then catch a flight from London to Manchester (the others would be driving, catching trains or a coach to their various destinations). There was a slight delay with the flight from Tromso but the rest of the day went fairly smoothly. We arrived at London extremely weary and once through customs and the baggage collection point we hurriedly said our goodbyes as some had to get away for their transfers. Andy, Brian, Jeremy, Lauri and myself had an hour and half wait before our connection, it was a relief when we finally touched down in Manchester and saw our members of our families waiting to give us big hugs!!!