Day 14 (23 March): Voyage South Day 4

In 33 days, we’ll be continuing our journey down the coast of Norway, and on this day, we will be crossing the arctic circle! Not the last time we’ll on the arctic circle this trip - but that’s for a future post.

The arctic circle (blue line).

The arctic circle is the northernmost major circles of latitude, but is really defined by it being the southernmost point reached by the midnight sun or polar night. This means that for at least one day each year, the sun doesn’t set (midnight sun, summer) or doesn’t rise (polar night, winter). The arctic circle currently sits at 66º 33’ 50.33”, but this is not a fixed location; the exact location changes a few metres each year because of the fluctuation in the earth’s axial tilt, which can vary up to 2º over 41,000 years. The change in tilt is caused by tidal forces from the moon’s gravitational pull on the earth. Currently the circle is moving northwards 14.5m per year.

As far as I can tell, we will be crossing the Arctic circle somewhere between Ørnes and Nesna, which will be between 6.30 and 10.30 - so we can be awake to experience it.

The ports the Capella will sail into on this day include:

• Bodø

• Ørnes

• Nesna

• Sandnessjøen

• Brønnøysund

• Rørvik

Our excursion for this day will be from the port of Brønnøysund where we will disembark for a twilight walk to Torghatten.

The iconic Torghatten mountain with its distinctive hole, surrounded by the tranquil waters and rugged islets of Norway's coastline.

Torghatten is a famous mountain on the island of Torget in Norway, known for its distinctive hole that runs straight through it. This natural tunnel, about 35 meters high, 20 meters wide, and 160 meters long, was created during the Ice Age as softer rock eroded away.

According to local legend, the hole was formed when a troll, Hestmannen, shot an arrow at a fleeing maiden. The troll-king of Sømna threw his hat to stop the arrow, and the hat turned into the mountain with a hole in it when the sun rose.

Torghatten is a popular hiking destination, offering stunning views of the Norwegian coastline. The hike to the hole is relatively short but steep, and visitors can walk through the tunnel to take in panoramas of the surrounding islands.