Northern Lights cruise part 7 Bodo and the famous Maelstrom (Whirlpools)

March 1st Saturday St Davids day. Scenic Cruising day, weather partly sunny

Dolphins playing in the foreground.

Slept late but still made it down to breakfast. Ian wanted to go to the gym again but it was
not for me as a lecture on the Fjords with slide show was about to start in the Neptune Bar.
By the extremly funny speaker Jane Davey. Kept as all in stitches translating the Norwegian language into English and the photos of the Fjords were stunning. Met up with a very sweaty Ian and then did a brisk walk round Boudicca deck perimeter. 5 laps equal 1 mile so both of us are making the effort to burn some calories. Afternoon dance class with the continuation of Cha Cha Cha. Ian good at the steps as for me, I'm hopeless! Last 15 minutes of lesson and we tried the Samba. This time tables were turned as I got the steps but Ian didn't. He had to be shown by Sheila (dance teacher) and in front of everyone made to do it himself. Hilariously funny.

Theme for dinner tonight was nautical so loads of people dressed up as sailors or pirates.

            Jim and Jennie                                                     Peter and Jean                                        Ian and me        

 It also happened to the Golden Anniversary of Peter and Jean so another pink cake appeared and waiters sang Congratulations by Cliff Richard.

Jim, Jennie and Ian front  Jean, Peter and me at the back

 The entertainment was also on a nautical theme by the Boudicca show troupe but having heard their rehearsal earlier in the day decided to give it a miss. Also didn't want to be caught out of the Aurora showed up and that was definitely a wise move as the lights appeared as we finished the quiz (nautical) and came 3rd.  The Aurora wasn't quite as vibrant as we have seen although more of it lit the skies and another grumpy moment when we got up on a dark deck (lovely) only to have some idiot switch all the lights on and ruined what could have been a brilliant display. Got a couple of photos but the boat was moving so had vibrations and swell to contend with. Stayed up till 2am before calling it a night.

  02/03/2014 March 2nd Sunday, weather sunny am, cloudy pm

4 hours sleep! That's all we got because Boudicca docked at 6am in Bodo and she's not the quietest boat when it comes to mooring up! Apparently she's 40 years old so  I suppose she's allowed a bit of creaking and groaning. Trip booked for today was to Saltstraumen and the maelstrom experience. Leaving at 10.30am first stop was to Saltstromen visitor centre. Another film showing the Aurora Borealis ( never get tired of seeing the phenomena ) followed by Norwegian pancakes with brown cheese and yes the cheese is brown! Not only that, it taste of caramel not something one expects. Weird but not unpleasant.

Still photo from the film

 After the refreshment we walked down a steep gravel path, which should have been covered in snow and ice, to a magnificent site of huge whirlpools where the tide and river meet. Now for a brief explanation of the phenomena.  If the tide is at it's highest ( we were about 30 minutes after high tide) 400 million cubic meters of water at speeds of up to 20 knots, rush through the 150 metre wide and 3 kilometer long sound, connecting the Saltenfjord and the Skerstadfjord. These powerful whirlpools can be up to 10 metres in diameter and 4 to 5 metres deep. It was pretty impressive and we got to view it from the bridge as well as the bank.

Climbed to the top to get better views.

Grass is put on top of some houses

In the old days, it was common for Norwegian houses to grow grass on the roof.  Cottage roofs were made out of tree bark and to keep it from curling up the old folk would put turf on top.  The grass held the turf down, keeping it on the roof and during the Summers the grass (and weeds) would shoot and flower.  As it turned out the turf on the roof was also good for insulation keeping the cottage warm during winter and cool during summer. ( exert from L-Jays blog )

Told by our guide to return to the coach by 1pm, we legged it onto the bridge to get a better look. We got a bit carried away and only just made it back to the coach in time only to discover the coach driver couldn't get back into the coach. None of the doors would open and we all stood around in panic mode sure that we would miss Sunday lunch on board. Roast on the menu with Yorkshire puddings. Couldn't be having that now could we! Anyway a phone call to the depot put him right. Just needed the emergency door handle situated by the middle door to be twisted and hey presto we were in. We did make it in time for our beef and Yorkshire pud but with dinner now only 3 hours away, I can see another button having to be moved to accommodate my expanding waistline!

The day had started sunny but this afternoon clouds have once more rolled in. With Boudicca sailing for Kristiansund at 6pm I am again very skeptical about another Aurora sighting. I very much doubt if the camera will come out unless the Captain decides to turn all the lights off around the deck so we can observe their beauty.

Well I was right. Another button has popped from my trouser waistline. Cant believe how delicious the food is on this boat. Had a huge steak cooked exactly as asked for, rare ( kill the beast and serve it up still warm.) Had a quick look outside to see if the skies were clear and they were so I forgo seeing Barnaby, the brilliant comedian, just in case the lights decided to show up. Sat outside freezing my socks off for two and a half hours watching the clouds come and go before giving up as a bad job. Ian came and fetched me to do the 10pm quiz. Was not amused by his raving of how funny Barnaby was. Peter, Jean, Jim and Jennie had found us a good table and already had a round in. Would today be our crowning glory of winning the quiz and getting the prize of champagne? Every night we have been so close coming either second or third. When it was announced the quiz was all about flags everyone in the room let out a groan. Needless to say we came third again with a score of 13 the highest being 15! Peter then decided he wanted to go down to the Secret Garden for supper at 11pm. Like Lemmings we all followed him and sat down to relish in the BBQ spare ribs and sausage! Oh dear there goes the last button!!! Bed earlier tonight at midnight but took a red wine for me and a rum and coke for Ian down to our cabin. Finally put the light out by 12.30am.

To be continued...........