No.3 on the list of utterly absurd places I have been

Today's outing has been to the Arctic Circle. Naturally, as this is Finland, Ros and I went by public transport, on Rovaniemi's bus route number 8 (as you can see in the picture).

Despite the fact that the roads are covered with snow, life goes on as usual here, with snowploughs deployed to clear the roads somewhat, and grit put on the pavements to make walking a bit easier. They don't salt the roads here, as salt is ineffectual at temperatures below minus 8 degrees centigrade, but with the aid of special studded or all weather tyres, even cyclists can get out and about.

Santa Claus Village offers visitors the opportunity to rush around on snowmobiles, be pulled along in a reindeer-drawn sleigh, and meet Santa Claus. Unexpectedly, Santa keeps regular office hours, and you'll find him here every day. Apparently, he has some sort of machine to distort time, thus allowing him to visit all the good boys and girls, and deliver presents to them.

I did think of asking him for an extra 10% in the opinion polls, but he's not a miracle worker...

It is an utterly absurd spot, with obelisks marking the line of the Arctic Circle, allowing you to photograph your loved one on either side, a special Santa Claus post office where you can send cards to friends and family, and enough retail opportunities to buy Santa kitsch to last a lifetime.

More than five years ago, I went to Ecuador, to stand on the Equator. Now, I've stood on the Arctic Circle. What other absurd places are left, I wonder?