The Viking's Haul

23/01/2026

More fun with food. Food really is one of my favourite things😋👍

23/01/2026

Some great-looking recipes amongst this “new” selection!😋👍

22/01/2026

Continuing on from yesterday, here’s another post on Swedish burial mounds - including Sweden’s biggest mound, dating back to hundred’s of years before the Viking Age.

21/01/2026

Burial mounds were once a means of showing of a dead leader’s former power and prestige. The bigger the mound, the more power & prestige it’s inhabitant had possessed in life.

21/01/2026

A few more kiwiana cuddlies🥰

20/01/2026

More on ships…

19/01/2026

I’ve wondered about Viking Tours, myself🤣

My letter open letter to Viking Travel

Dear Viking Travel,

Your current advertising campaign relating to sea travel is deeply misleading. The advertisement clearly states: “Travel like a Viking.”

Upon boarding, there appeared to be immediate and widespread confusion. No one else was dressed or equipped for raiding, and when I asked where my assigned rowing position was, I was escorted to a private room. While there was a port, there was, most disappointingly, no long oar, no rowing bench, and no shouted cadence from a bearded man named Halfdan.

Onboard activities did include drinking, which I acknowledge as a step in the right direction. However, when I attempted to introduce Viking practices such as communal oath-swearing, competitive boasting, shield-wall drills on the upper deck, and ritual tests of strength using more obse passengers your crew asked me to desist.

I also attempted to organise a Thing (traditional Viking assembly) to resolve minor disputes among passengers. This was shut down due to “liability concerns” and “guest comfort.” Instead of blood-money settlements, mediation was suggested.

Shore excursions were similarly disappointing. There was no pillaging, no livestock acquisition, no enforced tribute, and absolutely no opportunity to establish a seasonal settlement. Matters deteriorated further when crew and fellow passengers became distressed by my insistence on raiding monasteries, seizing portable wealth, and returning with religious artefacts as proof of success. Apparently, this is “not culturally appropriate.”

When I challenged the captain for leadership I was informed that “travelling like a Viking” actually means no kids and no casinos. While I respect the desire for peace and quiet, this interpretation bears little resemblance to historical Viking travel, which typically involved extended family groups, livestock, questionable hygiene, casual violence, and a very relaxed attitude toward property rights.
Additionally, my attempts at:

Sleeping communally

Drying furs on the railings

Sacrificing a chicken to ensure favourable winds were all met with firm disapproval.

All in all, I found this cruise to be nothing like advertised. The crew lacked heart, courage, and a proper understanding of Scandinavian maritime culture. They are, without question, unworthy of a place in Valhalla.

I await your response, preferably delivered by raven.

Yours

Disappointed and confused.

Viking

19/01/2026

A decent-sized addition to the Womens section, including a number of New Zealand titles.
Women’s issues are not for women alone, but for all of us for without women, where would we be…🤷‍♂️
(Likewise for Men’s issues, of which there is much less literature).

18/01/2026

It’s been a long time since I got these printed up.
Neither the armour nor I look quite so fresh, these days😂 Time moves on and - luckily - we’re still moving forward with it🕰️👍

17/01/2026

Just imagine, we could have events like this at the Norsewood Community Viking Hall, once it’s finally approved and built🙏👍