Emily Thornberry MP's Blog

All done

Woke very tired on Thursday. Our last trip was to the Trinations border where Norway, Sweden and Finland meet. We had wonderful views.

I climbed onto the border monument with the other MPs and had my photo taken with Martin Field, the fund-raising director of The Children's Society.   

There was a great sense of achievement. It has been hard work, but worth it. The journey back was very hard. It was very cold and all my adrenaline went. I could hardly hold onto the sled.

My final sled ride of the trek

I eventually back onto the coach for the trip back to Jukkasjärvi. On the way, we stopped at the Ice Hotel that was used by James Bond. It looked too much like an igloo for me!

It's strange being back with people outside the group I've been travelling with for the last week. We met the local journos and politicians. I have a copy of the local paper, but have no idea what it says!

I really don't like igloos

I couldn't believe it. The first thing I saw when I woke early Monday morning was the ITN camera crew asking me how I felt! Woke is an bit of an overstatement, as I never really got to sleep.

I felt terrible. I was awake from 2am until 4.40am, at least. I spent the time listing all the things I hate about igloos.

In protest I refused to open my sleeping bag for the camera crew and did the interview with my head still inside. Only bloody mindedness kept me in the igloo all night. I can guarantee that I will never do it again.

I hate igloos

I don't like igloos. Building them is fine, but not sleeping in them. They're cold and you sleep (if you can) on ice. Am very tired.

It's -20C today.

Preparation for more trekking

Philip Kool, who is managing the trek, briefed us on the next three days of trekking.

We start tommorow - after spending the night in the igloo! 

Igloo builders

Nick Clegg, Jenny Willott and me after a day of igloo building.

Earlier Marcus, on of our guiudes, who has a fantastic dry sense of humour, told us how to build igloos.

"What if we die of hypothermia?" we asked. "

You'll be dead but please die with your arms by your side. Otherwise, when we take you back on the snow mobile we'll break your arms against a tree" came the reply. 

Hollowing out an Igloo

ITN journo Alex Forrest mucks in with the Igloo building

Igloo building - the method

After 6 hours of digging - Serbo would be proud of me - the final igloo is built. The method is as follows.

Build a 3 metre high mound - expertly jumped on by Jenny, Nick and me, then dig out till the walls are half a metre thick.

Simple as that.

My igloo

It didn't go too badly in the end. Here I am in front of my igloo. Unfortunately, it eventually fell in from the top.

Another Labour landslide...

Snow stomping

Ed Vaizey, Nick Clegg and I took on stomping duties as we began our igloo building task. Others chuck snow at us as we stomp on it. The snow should sinter (freeze together) and harden. Let's hope it works!