A big influence on our cruising last year and this has been Jaja and Dave Martin’s book, Into the Light . Ever since we first read it we’ve been captured by the images conjured up by their wonderful descriptions of Norway, Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, and Scotland.

Wrestling with the decision on where to go next we decided to reread this wonderful book.

But Into the Light did not help. It just whetted our appetites for where we have not been.

A few days ago we decided to check the ice chart for Svalbard, with which we have heretofore not bothered. This lead to a call to the ice specialist at the Norwegian Weather Service in Tromso. He confirmed what a brief look at the ice chart told us. Ice in the southeast of Svalbard is light for so early in the year, and the fiords are already relatively clear on the west coast of the islands. In addition, water temperatures are about two degrees C (3.8F) warmer than usual. Warmer water means less fog.

If ever there were an omen from above (in this case satellite imagery of ice) this is it. We have decided to pursue the next step of checking further into Svalbard. If we like what see see, then it is off to the north we go.

Our kids are probably not too thrilled with the concept of their parents heading off again to the ice. But we have the right boat and the risk factors are significantly less than Greenland (as attested to by the six fold lower insurance deductible).

Realistically, at our ages, this is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity. We cannot imagine not visiting with the wild creatures of the far north (walrus, whales, and possibly polar bears). And to see just how close to the north pole we can prudently get.

There are still lots of details to check, weather and ice to watch, and local knowledge to obtain. So, the decision is to head to Svalbard if conditions make this prudent. Otherwise, there are lots of other attractive options.