1. The night prior to departure decide (after much deliberation) to go out for a couple of quiet ones.

2. Drink two roadies on the walk in to town.

3. Drink half a dozen more beers at the bar. Take your time. At 50 NOK* a drink you can't afford to drink quickly.

4. At closing time be asked by the bartender if you want to continue drinking with her and a friend. Give the incorrect answer.

5. Far too much bourbon and gin later head back to the car to sleep. Be sure to leave your camera behind. Say "She'll be right" and be supremely confident of
making your flight.

6. Wake up in a cemetary at 3pm with a headache.

Congratulations! You have now successfully missed your flight.

I am now happily reunited with my camera, but still stuck in Tromsø, the northernmost university town in the world, with the northernmost brewery in the world, spending the northernmost ridiculous amounts of money.

Other things I've learned in Norway:

- Don't get caught speeding. I copped a 4200 NOK* fine. Hooray for a change of budget. They complement the large fines by having bad roads and nonsensical give way rules.

- If the weather is good, a great time to be outdoors and go hiking in the north is between about 7pm and 2am. Lack of light is not an issue.

- Bonnen can be exchanged for goods and services, as can pants. You get pants by drinking beer.

- Å makes up for it's small name by having the best scenery I've ever seen.

- Norway is a ridiculously beautiful and photogenic country.

I hope all is well at home and abroad.

Wally

P.S.

* About 5 NOK to 1 AUD, so beer is about 10 dollars a pop.

Pete: It's turning into a bit of "choose your own adventure" story. No huskies so far, but some alsations the size of a small car. Will that do?

Maria: I'm beginning to like this town, which is lucky because I'm still here.