On our last morning in Tromsø I had coffee again at Kaffebønna Stortorget. The Hermes II is moored just a across the street, so a sketch seemed natural. It took me back to summer days a couple years ago when I was sketching at the Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle.
Then at 12H00 we boarded the Norwegian Star, well it was more like 13H00 since there was quite a crowd. But as Rick Steves says on his cruise show, “When cruising pack some extra patience.” Our first stop was be Harstad.
Our next stop was Hammerfest. It was quite blustery day. Yet I headed out, leaving Tricia to enjoy some quiet and warmer time. Around the bay I found a picnic table in a gas station that was right next to the water. So with the temperature at 5C and the winds at 20 mph gusts I did a sketch.
Arttoolkit is my go to pallet, it is perfect for the travel sketcher. If you have never read Maria’s story check out her pages, and for goodness sake get one of her pallets. (No, this is not a paid endorsement, it is just good advice.) On this trip I will get as close as I ever will to the North Pole where she has done some of her paintings.
Our next port-of-call was Alta. Another sketch on the forward deck of the ship.
That afternoon the clouds settled on the mountains.
Today we are in Honningsvag, the northernmost city in Europe. We took a tour to the North Cape, the actual most northern point.
Tomorrow, well at 02H30, we leave here for Longyearbyen, even further north. As of today I have still been further north than this, when I was in Barrow, Alaska. However that will change tomorrow.
If you have known me for a long time you know that I have a fascination for Antarctic and Arctic exploration, so this is quite a treat. I doubt I will ever walk the ice of either pole but this is quite a treat.
Tricia with her camera, and me with my sketchpad, are blessed to have experienced all of these places. Yet anyone who takes a journey, around the block or around the world is also blessed. Keep on traveling and sketching. Send sketches along, I would love to see them,
theTravelsketcher 
It’s been a lovely time here in Norway. I’m amazed at how friendly the people are here. It’s also a nice break from the summer heat at home in France. Nice post and sketches!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It has been nice. Not what I expected but a lot of fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having worked in the Northwest Territories for six years, I understand the attractions of the arctic and subarctic. Beautiful sketches.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does have its own beauty
LikeLiked by 1 person
While it’s true that even a journey around the block can result in new sights and experiences, but WOW–both of you are truly traveling in and out and over and under and around the world . New sights and sounds seem to be around every corner . Thank you for capturing them in your lovely sketches–and Tricia through her lens. Keep sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are having fun, that is for sure.
LikeLike
What a joy it is to see you enjoying your dream of being SUPER FAR north! Travel Sketcher, I am so impressed with your ability to make black, white, and gray pop like color. The gray sky, merging with the gray half snow covered hills, atop the gray water. When you sketch, what you are seeing is all gray, but you are so skillful at making it look interesting and colorful. That’s a tough thing to do, and you succeed very well. Your sketches are a pleasure to study.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lisa,
LikeLike