Lapland 2002

After 3 ¼ hours on the plane (during which time we penned a quick note to Santa and viewed the video “Santa Claus” which I noticed was avidly watched by ALL the adults) we landed inside the Arctic Circle.
The snow was the “right type” – powdery, non-slippery and non-slushy. We chose to go by mini-bus to Santa’s village though some went by skidoo – and suffered! It was –17o’s! We all wondered how the driver knew which way to go when everywhere looked the same – snow and trees...

Photo: Gift shop and restaurant in Santa’s village

It was very dim and dingy by about 3pm and too dark to see people’s faces. It was a bit like being on the moon! Many children got “burning” fingers and toes on going back into the warmth but the best… was to have a meal (gratis in the restaurant) and a hot drink early on. The body quickly acclimatised.Santa’s helpers

Photo: Santa’s helpers

There was a warm cabin to relax in and do any ablutions and a gift shop from where you could send postcards back to Blighty. There were also reindeer, husky and skidoo rides and a mini toboggan slope. Cameron’s favourite activity was pulling one of the little wooden chairs on sticks around.

Of course the best of all was Santa himself. People came out to the rest of us queuing and quivering in the cold saying, “Hang on in there – it’s REALLY worth the wait.” And it was!

Photo: Reindeer Ride

We had a smashing time and send a hearty thanks to Max Appeal for putting us forward, and to Children’s Heart Federation for sending us and looking after us so well. Cameron still tells people about it – especially when we see snow or an aeroplane goes over

Photo: Cameron meets Santa