The video above is very short, but it combines two topics I’ve written about before. The replica Viking ship shown is the Dragon Harald Fairhair, whose adventures and travails I’ve discussed often. (It was, for a time, the largest Viking ship replica in the world.) It sat in drydock in Mystic, Connecticut for several years, and I wondered if it would ever return to Norway. But I’m happy to report that they got it back this past year. (I think it was this past year. Recently, anyway.)

In this clip, a crew of untrained volunteers are attempting to row her, at last summer’s Viking Festival Karmøy, which I attended, in all my splendor, back in 2022. That was the year we were celebrating the anniversary of the Battle of Hafrsfjord, where King Harald Fairhair (according to legend) unified Norway as a kingdom. It was often commented at the time that the Dragon should have been there, as she had been built just across the sound in Haugesund, and was named after Harald. This video is evidence that she made it to the festival this year.

I can rest easy now.

Also because I finally got my Medicare supplement applied for. Here’s a hint from a grizzled veteran – if some organization or medical practice puts you in touch with somebody who’s supposed to “help you navigate your choices,” they’re in fact hooking you up with a salesman, who’ll try to sell you the product they represent. I tried two such services, and they both offered me the same plan – one which did not include my personal physician in its network.

Today I went straight to medicare.gov, and walked myself through their process. I ended up with a number of incomprehensible options, and finally made a decision – doubtless a bad one, but it’s done now.