After the excitement of the night time aurora still fresh, another unseasonally warm day awaited us (2C). Still feels chilly outside tbh.

Our guide for the day, this time an Italian called Margarita, was again ultra punctual. Our fellow passengers for the day were 3 other Italians and an American. Short side trip to the office to get into the warm onesies and into the minibus for the 1hour drive out to the dog sled farm. This tour is the only one where you are allowed to self-drive the sleds and also it is the longest ride (most are akin to the kiddie pony ride as opposed to the trail ride). The image of Ali being dragged along by a horse circa 1985 still in my mind, imagining a similar scenario (karma) with me clinging on...as they say "seemed a great idea at the time until I got close to actually needing to do it."

Not being accustomed to snow, skiing etc...somewhat vulnerable I felt.

On arrival, with temp of minus 5C outside of town, we hopped out and saw the dogs all set on their harnesses. Margarita had said not to pat them before the trip, but we were allowed afterall. They are a mix of Siberian and Canadian huskies, but not at all like Malamutes etc. Evidently, humans are thought not to have been able to have survived away from the coast in the Arctic without the dogs' ability to drag sleds with goods, food and medicines. They were used right up until late last century for these purposes, only recently replaced by snowmobiles, so they are exclusively used in tourism now.

After a brief explanation of how to corner, how to slow and stop the sled, some hand signals and being clearly told that once we moved back to where the dogs were that it is really not possible to stop and wait for someone to wee/take photos etc, and the nerves were high. Bronnie hopped down into the sled onto a reindeer hide blanket, and to my surprise we were soon off along the trail. As the front sled it was absolutely exhilirating. Our guide stayed well in front on a snowmobile so we could see where the trail went and when to stop to wait for the other sleds to catch up, but otherwise it felt we were all alone on the trail.

We got into a good rhythm with Bronnie helping steering around corners by leaning towards the apex of each corner and I got the hang of how to minimise the friction and trying to keep the sled as light feeling as possible. When going uphills, the "driver" who's feet are on the rails behind the seat needs to push up the hill. It's quite fast!

The dogs' temperaments determine where in the 5 dog team they are placed. The front 2 are the leaders (front right in our photos was ours). As we were coming to hills etc, he would turn around to see what we were doing, as if to remind me to assist, but also to check on us I think. The orange dog (front left) was very calm and I think was ready to step in to lead when the other was tired (sub alpha). When we stopped at one stage, the lead dog had a roll in the snow and you can see the orange dog much more alert in those photos!

The black middle dog (muscly hind like a greyhound) would swap from side to side depending on cornering and balance. Obviously an intuitive mutley.

The back 2 dogs they said are usually the strongest dogs. The one on the left was slightly smaller and appeared to be the "brain" for the back right dog who we described as being a bit special. Big strong dog, but just uber keen to get going again every time we stopped and not at all interested in being patted/would not make eye contact/interact with people much at all.

After an absolutely thrilling time we came back to the kennel area for a traditional sausage in a yurt (plus fire) for lunch, along with hot juice. We did get a chance to meet more dogs for pats at cuddles. Apparently, they have been so heavily selected for friendly temperament, reliability, and desire for work, that they will literally keep running until they die and rely totally on humans to tell them when to stop for the day. They do only live about 5 years and once they've stopped working, they do put them down as there is no market/process here for them to be rehomed. It is what it is, and we respectfully appreciated the opportunity to see these glorious creatures working. They are really very "cuddly" and liked to "lean and rub" on my legs a lot which was very nice.

Back home for the afternoon after the long return drive! Shock...it rained!!!! Very unusual for January in Rovaniemi. We are learning that unlike Australia where 20% chance of rain means it probably wont rain, and/or there will be rain on 20% of Canberra at that time. Here, 20% precipitation seems to mean that it will snow etc at about 20% of the amount of a total whiteout blizzard. We are yet to experience when it says say 30% chance of precipitation that it hasn't :)

Quiet night recovering included a go in our apartment's sauna...good to experience! Then, just at bedtime, I looked out the window (oh, and my aurora app had said a chance if there was no cloud) and could see the aurora from there. So, sprinting ensued around the local area, complete with knee deep snow and a slight miship for Bronnie with phone in the air looking for the best shot, and back to the river for Tim, and we both managed to get some different pics of this cool phenomenon. Paths were pretty slippery with the warmer temps...

All in all, another great touristy day in Rovaniemi. Tomorrow, much quieter day, but we are off to watch an ice hockey match in the afternoon. Cool.