The idea for this walk emerged during the weeks of chemotherapy back in 2008, in which I was quite unwell. I had read two books, ‘A woman in the Polarnight’, by Christiane Ritter and ‘Tage- und Nächtebücher aus Lappland’ von Siegrid Damm (sadly this is not translated into English). Both had a profound impact on me. I was lying in my bed, imagining to be on a long walk in Lappland. I was yearning for the vast expanses of wilderness in the North, the mountains, the glaciers, the forests and the freedom to roam in that environment.

This yearning has never left me and now I’m heading there. I’m looking forward to getting there slowly, to see the landscape changing as I’m continuing further and further North.

The last two days I had blazing sunshine, which I had wished for for my first two days. I see that as a very good omen that my wish was granted. Today was a little more overcast and colder, but very nice to walk in. Long may it continue….