Minus 11C

Positively balmy here in Kiruna airport in Sweden inside the Arctic Circle.  We had been told to be prepared for temperatures down to -40C, so this is very mild, and the forecast for the next few days is for temperatures to stay at or above -17C.  I might not need all the layers of clothing I have brought to wear beneath the snow suit, which was provided when we arrived at our hotel, a couple of hours drive further north in Karesuvanto, just over the border in Finland.

Given the snow covered roads, I was a little surprised that none of the vehicles was fitted with chains or studded tyres;  all seemed to manage very happily on Winter M&S tyres, and our transport moved very smartly and securely over the frozen surface.

We have several activities planned over the next couple of days and, with a bit of luck and a clear sky, we may see the Northern Lights.

[Back-blipped after our return because the internet speeds at our hotel were far to slow to support uploading a photograph.]