The problem is Lom...

... this Swedish outfit is trying to break in to the Norwegian market and tbh it's a big step up for them. The Norwegians pay better, have very unionised staff contracts and have been doing the offshore stuff for years. This outfit cut their teeth doing nearshore surveys and archaeological stuff... a different ball game.

Covid is a huge problem for them, and all offshore contractors (and oil companies)... offshore workers are exempt from quarantine rules but that's only if you're heading directly to/from a boat... for any office work the rules are applied in full force. But, of course, many people just don't want to travel if they don't have to... staff guys are getting paid anyway and companies are on dodgy ground forcing them to travel... workers rights, safety and all that good stuff.

But all said and done it could be a good opportunity for me so I'm trying to keep an open mind. Student digs instead of a hotel is no deal breaker... though I never thought I'd find a country with worse telly than Norway... Sweden has then beat.

And as a contractor, 10 hour days, 7 days a week are expected for office work. I generally do 11 to 12 hours, partly because that has kept me busily employed as a freelance living the wrong part of the world for 3 decades, but mainly because tonight, I have the choice of a Swedish quiz show or a documentary about a Swedish female weight lifter to watch on tv... all in Swedish... work is the better option.

But I know what you're saying... spinning it out isn't an option but once I get into an office I can generally manipulate things to get a lot more work thrown at me...