It was another early start, the alarm went off at 7.15 for an 8 o’clock breakfast as our first activity was booked for 9.

It had snowed overnight and was still snowing when we walked to breakfast. It was so dark this morning and when we returned to our cabin after breakfast our footprints going had already been completely covered over.

At 9 we were bussed to the Northern Lights Village where we were going to go on a husky sleigh ride. First we met two puppies and somehow one ended up on my lap! We also had some hot juice in the wooden cabin with a fire going. 

Then it was onto the husky ride, the dogs were going mental waiting to pull the sleighs and the noise from them was quite deafening.  Dave and I got settled in our sleigh and we were off on a three mile circuit. It was still snowing and at times very painful with the freezing ice falling straight into our faces. Our guide was very informative, giving lots of info about the dogs on the way round. It was a lot smoother journey than we had imagined and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Heading back to the resort the snow stopped and the sun began to rise and we saw the most spectacular sunrise (11.30) As soon as we arrived we headed down to the frozen river to get a stunning view of it, our pictures just didn’t do it justice. 

With our hands freezing due to taking so many pictures we headed back to our cabin for a hot drink. 

At 12.30, we headed over for lunch, the sky the most blue and bright we have seen it since arriving. The temperature just under freezing but with feel of -13 today. Lunch was Dad and Anabs favourite – shepherds pie. 

With a quick change into all our layers we met at the rendezvous point for this afternoon’s activity – cross country skiing. 

There were 10 of us (the danish family, the two guys from Italy, the German couple and us) for the skiing and the two instructors had our skis and poles ready and taught us how to put them on and the basics of how to cross country ski.  

The sky was still lovely and bright with the sun slowly setting over the next hour and the moon coming up. The sky was incredibly clear of clouds and we were all hopeful we would finally see the northern lights tonight. 

The skiing was fun but very physical, so a stop was called for around half way, a temporary bar set up and the glogi and cookies handed out. By now the sun had virtually set and we skiied back by moonlight. 

A quick stop in reception to save Strava and we went quickly back to the cabin to get the sauna warmed up as it was maybe our last opportunity to use it as tomorrow for Dave’s final surprise is to move to the Aurora cabin (glass igloo) for our final night. 

With some time to kill, it only seemed right to tuck into some more chocolate cake and champagne! 

Managed a whole 10mins in the sauna’s today, definitely not my thing, Dave enjoyed it though. 

We showered and got dressed for dinner at 7. On the way over, the sky was as clear as anything and you could clearly see the moon and lots of stars, so fingers crossed for later tonight. 

Almost at the end of dinner and announcement went out that the Aurora was visible, there was a stampede to the side door of the restaurant and we all clambered out to see it. This time the photos were definitely better than the naked eye. 

At 8.30 we met at the usual place for the evening activity – Aurora Camp.  A different mix of 10 people, this time we were pulled in a sleigh by a snowmobile to a place about 10mins away that had a better vantage point of the sky. We were given a reindeer hide, found a space and lay down waiting for the show to start. Unfortunately the cold got the better of us, so we warmed up in the wooden hut which had a fire burning. 

Luckily one of our guides kept watch and called when the Aurora was visible for us to go outside.  Luck was on our side and we saw it a few times in-between warming up in the hut with more glogi and cookies. 

Before we knew it, it was time to return to the hotel so as was our custom, into the bar for a few nightcaps, purely to warm up of course with a game of Rummikub.