Then Julie arrived

 Julie became a tourist after she didn't reach Riddu (that's Tromsø in the background)

 So we took the cable car up the mountain (because we were lazy and tired) and down again

 Then had dinner with the media girls, here Ida and Cathrine

 Here, me with slightly tired and bloodshot eyes

And Julie is happy about the midnight sun again (this is about 00:15)

We also went to a midnight concert in the Arctic Cathedral (which is not a cathedral but oh well), Julie came to visit me at work and bought books and a hat in the second hand shop, she claims to have visited several museums while I was working, and we had some good meals with my family as well. We went out to Verdensteatret and Blårock, saw the midnight sun and the midnight clouds (when the sun was missing), and I believe a good time was had by all.

Here, people, visit me. Look, it's pretty, and we have nature and stuff.

Sunshine and beer and rain

 Friday night at 9:20

 Sunday morning at 6:30

 Sunday morning at 6:30

Sunday afternoon, 2:30

At the moment, Tromsø Weather is in the fantastic mood of  "rain all day, sun all night", which happens a lot more than you would think, during summer. On Saturday night I had predrinks at my place, while other people were running the Midnight Sun Marathon. Obviously, the midnight sun never comes out during the Midnight Sun Marathon, which is every June. We walked into town in the drizzle, at midnight, cheering the runners on (the main path is past where I live now) while we sauntered tipsily along, taking water from the refreshment spots and generally having a good time. As I was walking home at six in the morning, the weather changed to sunny and warm, and Tromsø felt like a pretty perfect place.

(We've now had rain/drizzle all afternoon, until the clock struck nine and the sun came forth, as usual. I like this pattern).

Boats'n'things

 Went on a trip to Kvaløya the other day, which is the island outside the Tromsø island (ø/øy=island)

 Looked at old boat houses that are still in use

 New dried fish (stockfish)

 Beautiful sunshine, around 9 p.m.

Walked out on an islet where the seagulls were shrieking loudly,

turned to my right and realised I was almost standing in their nest.

Didn't take the eggs since I wanted to come home without a clawed-open head.

We've had a lot of grey weather this week. But when the sun comes out in the evening, or at midnight, and everything is green (because of all the rain) and everyone is outside and happy, you realise why people settled here, and why they are staying. Why you yourself is staying. All the patriotism stems from these three, short summer months.