Rusty Aldwinckle Photographer
  • Sealed Knot Photos
    • About me.
    • Sealed Knot 2019 >
      • Donnington
      • Sutton St James
      • Deene Park Major
      • Naseby Battlefield Project Tour
      • Fernie Country Show
      • Cropredy 375
      • Kimbolton Country Fayre
      • Cheriton 370
      • Scampton Major
    • Sealed Knot 2018 >
      • Nantwich 2018
      • Donnington at Easter
      • Hammonds support Naseby Battlefield Tour
      • Newark Sconce 2018
      • Bolton Boys School
      • Thirlestane Castle
      • Ulverston -Ford Park
      • Ashby Castle Muster
      • Claydon House ABH Major
      • Colchester Castle Park
      • Thorpe Mandeville with London Brigade
      • Donnington September LH
      • Ripple - 50th Anniversary Parade and Service
    • Sealed Knot 2017 >
      • Nantwich 2017
      • Donington Le Heath Manor House
      • Wrest Park Multi Period
      • Parliament at Billing
      • Charlton Park Major Muster
      • Naseby Commemorative Event
      • Broughton Castle
      • Peterborough Festival
      • Thirlestane Castle, Lauder
      • Newark Major Muster
      • Worcester Commandery
      • Tattershall Castle
      • Helmsley Castle
      • Scampston Hall Major
      • Lancaster Castle
      • Siege of Crowland 17
      • The Battle of Edgehill
      • Donningron Le Heath end of season
    • 2016 Season >
      • Newark National Civil War Museum
      • Nantwich
      • Gordon's Hoolie
      • Newark Museum April event
      • Parliament Call to Armes
      • Newstead Major Muster
      • Newark Sconce Muster
      • Holdenby Major Muster
      • Bovington Tank Museum Muster
      • Scarborough Castle Muster
      • Catton Hall Major Muster
      • Fernhurst
      • Falkland Palace
      • Ripple
      • Buckingham Parade
    • 2015 Season >
      • Nantwich
      • Newark. National Civil War Museum Opening
      • Stanford Hall Major Muster
      • NASEBY 370
      • Speech House - Coleford
      • Skenfrith Castle
      • Sizergh Castle - Lilburnes Regimental
      • Thorpe Mandeville - Hammonds Regimental
      • Scarborough Castle
      • Chester Major Muster Aug BH
      • Holdenby Heritage Day
      • Trinity College, Oxford
      • The Siege of Crowland Abbey
      • Radway - Edgehill Exhibition
      • Hampton Court Palace
    • 2014 Season >
      • Nantwich
      • Towcester Museum
      • Parliament Training - Billing
      • Cattows (Strawberry Fields) Farm
      • Naseby 14th June
      • Coleford Parade and Battle
      • Cheriton Multi Period
      • Kelmarsh - History Live
      • Windsor with Ruperts
      • Castle Fraser Major Muster
      • Fort George
      • Sherborne Castle Major
      • Bradgate Park
      • Falkland Palace and 'Real Tennis'
      • Cleethorpes
      • Edgehill Parade & Service
      • Buckingham
      • Shelford
      • Banbury Museum
    • 2013 Season >
      • Nantwich
      • Windsor Great Park Tree Rededication
      • Rotherham
      • Blenheim Palace Major Muster
      • Broughton Castle
      • Naseby Commemorative Weekend
      • Kelmarsh, 'History Live' 2013
      • Wentworth Major Muster
      • Castle Duart, Isle of Mull
      • Fort George
      • Southam
      • Newstead Abbey Major
      • Falkland Palace
      • Bolingbroke Castle
      • Ripple
    • 2012 Season >
      • Glynde Major Muster
      • Edinburgh Castle
      • Edgehill Service and Skirmish
      • Fort Nelson
      • Tower of London
      • Nantwich 'Holly Holy Day'
      • Nantwich Holly Holy Day Banquet
      • Naseby Heritage Event
      • Parliament Training, Naseby
      • Parliament Training Beer Tent
      • Sheffield - Hillsborough
      • Newstead Abbey Major Muster
      • Naseby Commemoration Event
      • Castle Bytham
      • Wollaton Hall
      • Wolverhampton Show
      • Kelmarsh Festival of History 2012
      • Sledmere
      • Fort George
    • 2011 Season >
      • Nantwich 2011
      • Frasers Regimental Banquet
      • Parliament Banquet April 2011
      • Elvaston Major
      • Elvaston Childrens Party
      • Newbury Major
      • Corby Heritage Centre Opening
      • Sulby Hedges Commeration
      • Diseworth
      • Nottingham Castle
      • Cheriton Mini
      • Burton Agnes
      • Kelmarsh Festival of History
      • Brough Castle
      • Hampton Court House
      • Philiphaugh
      • Loseley Major
      • Worcester
      • Master at Armes, Naseby
      • Stow on the Wold
      • Newburn
      • Edinburgh Castle
      • Knebworth
      • The making of Midsommer Murders
      • Tower of London
      • 'Holly Day' at Naseby
    • 2010 Season >
      • Abbeyfield Kenilworth
      • Basing Major
      • Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich
      • Edgehill March & Skirmish
      • Hylton Castle, Sunderland
      • Long Buckby
      • Moira Furnace
      • Nantwich 2010
      • Naseby Commerative Wreath Laying in June
      • Naseby, Filming with Melvyn Bragg
      • Newark, Queen's Sconce.
      • Parliament Training at Naseby
      • Royalist Training at Naseby
      • Shaw House - March Regimental
      • Shaw House Mini Muster
      • Stirling Castle
      • Stratford Major
      • Sulby Hedges with the Battlefield Trust
      • Tower of London
      • Wollaton Hall
      • Woodford Halse
    • A nibble of 2009
    • A smidgeon of 2008
    • A trace of 2007
    • A morsel from 2006
    • A taster of 2005
    • A snippet from 2004
  • 17thC research
    • V & A Stores Feb 07
    • Stow Museum
    • Royal Armouries Fort Nelson - Hands On
    • Broughton Castle Collection
    • Tiverton Castle Collection
  • Further Galleries of Photos
    • Sealed Knot's answer to Richard Gere
    • WTFC v Norwich Vase Cup Rnd 3
    • WTFC v Woodbridge 2nd Rnd Buildbase Vase
    • WTFC v Lutterworth
    • WTFC U18 v Kempston Rovers Colts
    • WTFC v ON Chenecks
    • WTFC v Ansty
    • WTFC U18 v Biggleswade FA Cup
    • Wellingborough Town Res v Desborough Res
    • Wellingborough Town FC v Shepshed
    • Wellingborough Town FC v Pinchbeck
    • WTFC U18 v Arlesey in the FA Youth Cup
    • Wellingborough Town Res v Cogenhoe
    • Whitworths v Dons Charity Match
    • Wellingborough Town v Northampton Town 25-08-20
    • Dunbar 1650
    • Burghley Cross Country
    • Midfest 2019
    • Daks Over Duxford
    • Competition Images
    • FC Phoenix v Dynamo Cup Final
    • Wicksteed Soapbox Derby
    • Phoenix FC V Legends 2018
    • Roger Gamble Cup Final with FC Phoenix
    • Shuttleworth RAF 100 day
    • Phoenix FC v Braefield Semi Final
    • Rushden & Higham RUFC v Stockwood Park
    • Whitworth FC V Chenecks
    • Rushden & Higham RUFC v Nothampton Casals
    • Wellingbourough 'Doughboys' v Rushden and Diamonds
    • Ladies Cycle Tour 2017
    • Phoenix FC v Phoenix Old Boys
    • Captains League CUP FINAL
    • Ken Parker League Cup Final 2017
    • Thorplands v Phoenix FC
    • Captains League Cup before Abandoned
    • Parker Cup Final 2017
    • Phoenix FC v Hackleton Res
    • Eastern Eagles v Phoenix FC
    • Moto X Weedon
    • Tom's Steam Train Experience
    • Phoenix FC v Hardingstone Sun
    • Hackleton Res V Phoenix FC
    • Whitworth Res FC v Cogenhoe Utd
    • Phoenix FC v Golden Horse Res
    • Whitworths FC v Lutterworth FC
    • Phoenix FC v Spinney Hill
    • Phoenix FC v Naseby FC
    • Phoenix FC v Royals Res
    • Phoenix FC v Monks Park
    • Whitworth FC v Woodford Utd
    • VSCC Pomeroy Trophy - Silverstone
    • Exciles FC game 12th Feb
    • Phoenix FC v Lord Byrons FC 5th Feb
    • Whitworth FC v Blackstones FC
    • Phoenix FC v Spartak Res
    • Wellingborough Town V Peterborough Northern Star
    • Wellingborough Phoenix V Travis Perkins
    • Wellingborough Town v Huntingdon Town
    • VSCC Bicester Driving Tests
    • VSCC Cotswold Trial 2016
    • V.S.C.C. Lakes Trial 2016
    • FC Pheonix Football
    • Flying Scotsman over Harringworth Viaduct
    • Delapre Model Shoot
    • Fenland Grass Track - May 2016
    • Rufford Abbey Historic Baz
    • VSCC Ashover Trial 2016
    • Phoenix FC v Golden Horse Res
    • VSCC Bicester Driving Tests
    • VSCC Lake District Trial 2015
    • Stacie's Choice
    • Stacie & Aron's Wedding Day
    • V.S.C.C. Mallory Park
    • Highland Gathering - Corby
    • Cricket at Wellingborough CC
    • British Motorcycle Racing Club - Silverstone
    • Rufford Abbey Historical Baazar 2015
    • V.S.C.C. Springstart, Silverstone 2015
    • Dingley Point to Point
    • V.S.C.C.. Ashover Trial 2015
    • Hamerton Wildlife Park
    • Sizzling Senorita
    • Thrapston Livestock Market
    • Sooty's Custom Motorcycles with Clare
    • Tropical Butterflies - Lancaster
    • V.S.C.C. Honister Pass Trial
    • Camera Club Competition Entries
    • Sywell Airshow 2014
    • Axceler-8 Hovercraft Exerience
    • Colchester Military Tattoo 2014
    • Mallory Park EMRA Meeting May 18th
    • World Endurance 1st Round at Silverstone
    • Enduro - Houghton Conquest
    • Rufford Abbey Historical Baazar
    • V.S.C.C. Spring Start at Silverstone
    • Enduro - Potters Bar
    • Northants Firemen V Police - Rugby
    • Wellingborough Colts v Rushden - Rugby
    • Enduro - Deepdale
    • Wellingborough Colts v Kettering - Rugby
    • John Harris Trial - V.S.C.C. Ashover
    • Brooklands Double Twelve Press Day
    • Pomeroy Trophy - V.S.C.C. Silverstone
    • Rugby - Wellingborough 1st v Lutterworth
    • Football - Croyland Park Rangers v Pheonix Reserves
    • Enduro - Ingoldmells Beach
    • Rugby - Wellingborough v Leighton Buzzard
    • Enduro Q2 Edgehill
    • Vintage Sports Car Club Driving Test
    • Vintage Sports Car Club Trial
    • Studio Shoot Nov 2nd
    • Walter Hayes Trophy Silverstone Nov 3rd 2013
    • Rushden Hall Park and Silverstone Fireworks
    • Silverstone Oct 19th 2013
    • Props and Pistons - Sywell, Northants
    • Stoke Bruene, Village at War
    • Spartan Race - Saffron Walden
    • Mansfield Maun M.C.C. Trial 14th July 2013
    • BMX Tricks Radlands Plaza
    • Northampton Raceway June 2013
    • Chatham Historic Dockyard
    • Historic Car Racing, Silverstone
    • Rushden - Cavalcade of Transport
    • Tough Mudder - London North, 4th May 2013
    • Rufford Abbey Historical Bazaar
    • Legoland Windsor
    • Bolsover Castle 17thC Cavalry Display
    • F.O.I. Models
    • Hebden Bridge
    • Flooding around where I live.
    • The Lake District in November
    • A brief trip into the Lake District
    • You're History, Broadlands, Romsey
    • The Arctic Cruise - March 2012.
    • Tom's Tank Driving Experience
    • Woburn Safari Park
    • Sywell Airshow 2012
    • Newark & Notts County Show
    • Moto X - Long Buckby
    • Leatherat Photo Shoot
    • Burghley Cross Country
    • ECWS Whitehall March 2012
    • Stunt Fest Santa Pod, Feb 2012
    • Wicksteed Fireworks 2011
    • Cairngorms & Lin of Dee Feb 2011
    • Kelmarsh Festival of History 2010
    • Brands Hatch Motorcycle Racing
    • Sywell Airshow
    • Model Shoot
    • ECWS Whitehall March 2011
    • Weddings
  • Rusty's News
  • Links
  • Contact Page

This Gallery is slightly different to what I usually post but I'm going to give you a brief rundown of each day of the most fantastic holiday I've ever had. Hi-lites of which were in abundance from seeing the Aurora Borealis, the dramatic unpopulated landscape, the Ice Hotel and a myriad of other things that had me awe struck.

When I mentioned to hubby that I'd like to do something different to celebrate my 60th Birthday and he suggested an Arctic Cruise I never thought it would be so incredibly fulfilling, with adventure, fun and a little relaxation.

Day 1. The trials and tribulations of the M25 and planes delayed by fog meant we eventually arrived in Bergen and boarded the MS Midnatol around 8pm. Rain and low cloud didn't dampen the spirits though.

Day 2. Maloy to Alesund and beyond with our first sight of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis.   Maloy, Torvik were the typical little fishing hamlet whilst Alesund had some striking architecture and an obvious upmarket gathering of expensive yachts in the harbour. The Eider Ducks diving in the clear clean waters of the harbour did hold our attention for some time. The evening display of the Aurora was unexpected as the forecast was for rain/snow but this turned out to be one of the better displays of the holiday.


Day 3. After getting to bed at 4am it was a job to get out of bed at 8am but we managed, just.  We had docked at Trondheim and after an excellent breakfast went ashore for a brief walk.  Monk Island is just offshore and during the 1660's the fort became a prison, today its privately owned. That afternoon we passed close too a few of Norway's beautiful Lighthouses then crossed the first open stretch of water, the Folda. Rorvik is the final docking of the day and we head further north towards the Arctic Circle.

Day 4. We crossed into the Arctic Circle at 7.23am and despite the early morning we were on deck to capture the moment and King Neptune paid us a visit. I didn't take part in the 'Crossing Ceremony' as this consisted of ice cubes being poured down your back (I may be daft but not that daft).  Had a short walk round Bodo but as it was Sunday, everything was closed except for the fast food shops. Crossing the Vestfjord  we arrived that evening at Stamsund then on to Svolvaer, where not only did we see a section of the town on fire but also 'Magic Ice'. A chilled warehouse at -10C with ice carvings made by sculptors from across Norway. Not to easy to photograph though but I tried. Out on deck again until 1.30am and ominously the crew are laying salt on the deck.

Day 5.We depart early morning from Harstad  and we pass the Trondenes Church which was built in 1250. A quick stop at Finnsnes to drop of supplies and onto Tromso (known as The Capital of the Arctic) and the Planetarium. Then for something totally unexpected as we traveled back to the ship  by coach. We enter a long tunnel hewn into the rock and are confronted by a roundabout. The engineering needed to accomplish this is astounding but the Norwegians seem to be spending more or less everything they make from there oil fields on roads and bridges to unite the island communities. 

Day 6. Heavy snow showers and as we approach Honningsvag we spot Porpoises swimming about 200yds of the port side. Most of the ship disembark for various coach trips to the North Cape at 71', the most northerly point. We took a walk round the town where the shops were all decorated to welcome the 'Arctic Awakening' and when we returned to the ship a full scale lifeboat drill was being carried out. I must say this was very reassuring. ;-)  And if you want to know how to cut out a Cod's tongue, just ask when you next see me as this was one of the demo's on deck.  Dinner that night was EPIC, and if you like seafood as much as I do you'll understand why. A Seafood buffet with Lobster, King Crab, Spider Crab, Langoustines, Mussels and the largest pile of Prawns you could possibly imagine. Help yourself and then encouraged by the Crew to go back for more. Exquisite.  Northern Lights again this evening although not that strong.

Day 7. And what a day. Husky Sledging, Ice Hotel, Reindeer enclosure. Kirkenes and as close to the Russian Border that I dared to get.  I've got bruises to prove that I acted my shoe size and not my age but it was fun with a capital F, exhilarating with a capital E, cold with a capital C and oh boy would I love to do it all again. Then in the afternoon the ship stopped at Varda and we raced up the road to the Star Fort which was built in 1737.


Day 8. Awake early once again to clear blue skies and the promise of visiting the Polar Bear Museum at Hammerfest the worlds most northern town. However the blue skies didn't last and as we left Hammerfest visibility became very poor with low cloud and flurries of snow. The flurries culminated in a full scale blizzard as we crossed the Lopphavet open stretch of sea. Oh yes, nearly forgot to mention we were taught  'how to peel a prawn', and met some wonderful people on board. A couple were nearly as mad as we are as they are Morris Dancers, so we got along really well. Thanks Pam and Andy. ;-)

Day 9. Being gluttons for punishment after a late night watching the Northern Lights we had yet another early morning and boarded a coach for a trip from Harstad to Sortland and the island of Vesteralen. First stop the viking age church at Trondenes where we listened to a very brief service in a dozen different languages. A few crude stained glass windows but with a resting place for the departed that looks over the fjord. Plenty of frozen lakes and streams and a ferry across a stretch of water and then onto Sortland and as the coach goes over the bridge our ship passes underneath. Next stop is Stockmarknes where a 19thC ship is undergoing restoration in the car park. I liked the quaint frontage for the local Specsavers. Keeping a promise to myself that night I went into the Jacuzzi, under the stars inside the Arctic Circle.

Day 10. Mid-morning we cross the Arctic Circle heading south and are treated to another Norwegian delicacy of Cod Liver Oil followed by a spoonful of Cloudberry Wine. The wine was moreish then Cod Liver Oil certainly wasn't.  A quick stop in Sandnessjoen and the last chance of some retail therapy, saw the purchase of a Norwegian Jersey and a memento for the home. On south past the Seven Sisters mountains and then to view the Torghatten mountain with its 115ft high x 80ft wide x 180ft long hole caused by thousands of years of inclement weather. ;-)  Some great views of this feature as the ship sailed past, then turned and pasted again. On our final night on board we were lucky enough to see once again the Aurora Borealis.

Day 11. Time to say goodbye. ;-(  Teddy took the opportunity to fraternize with the Captain over breakfast and then onto a coach for a trip round Trondheim. The impressive architecture of the Cathedral to the unique bicycle lift and the modern sculpture representing a Viking Longboat.  Just a few final photos as we flew from Trondheim to Oslo and then a brief stop to take one final photo of the Moon in close alignment with Venus and Saturn just of the M1, and of course the children's emblem for the Hurtigruten fleet of ships just crept in.

A fantastic holiday and certainly something I would love to do again.
Special thanks must go to Tom for organising such a wonderful birthday present, thanks also to Dr John Mason, the Astronomer who gave us such an insight into the stars, planets, moons and galaxies of the Universe and thanks also to the other travellers, Pam, Andy, Caroline and many others who made this trip so very special. 

Thank you,

Rusty