March 3rd Monday, weather glorious
Had a note pushed under our cabin door last night. The excursion booked for Bergan on Wednesday, the snow shoe shuffle on the Ulriken Mountain, had been cancelled because of lack of snow. Did no more then rush to the tour booking office to see if we could book the Hardangerfjord tour where we could walk behind a waterfall. Got the last place left. Should be quite an experience.
Another day at sea but this time meandering our way through lots of little fjords. Channel so narrow could almost touch both sides. Met the Hurtigruten, a glorified ferry/cruise liner on a wide bit, thank goodness, and both ships signaled to each other with a three horn greeting.
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| Narrow channel |
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| Fish farms |
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| Meeting the Hurtigruten ferry/ cruise liner |
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| Another lovely sunset |
Very lazy day but did go to a lecture on Bergen by Jane Davey again then dance class with Sheila and Robert ( Gay Gordon and Waltz) followed by another quiz where we again came third! Story of our life!!!! The theme for dressing up tonight was red, white and blue (British) and menu was all traditional English dishes but I'm not quite sure why the chef thinks lasagna is British!!
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| Peter and Jean did our table proud |
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| Jim and Jennie |
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| Guess who.... (: |
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| It was also Jim's birthday so another pink cake made it to our table. |
Show later with the Boudicca show troupe but I choose to stay outside with camera in case those elusive Northern Lights appeared. After watching crystal clear skies for two hours Ian came and fetched me to participate in the 10pm quiz. Subject was 'All about Britain'. Guess what. Came third again. By midnight and a little worse for wear after consuming fast quantities of wine (me) and Rum and coke (Ian) we almost called it a night. Then Robert the dance teacher came rushing in from outside to say the Aurora had been spotted. One mad exodus from the Neptune bar saw us all scampering on deck starboard side and watched another spectacular display. Left for bed an hour
later with another big grin over my face.
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| As we were still cruising and the boat rocking a bit I was very happy that these photos came out. Hence the blurring in the background. |
March 4th Shrove Tuesday. weather sunny.
Woke up to the ship vibrating and engines roaring. Docking had commenced early arriving at Kristiansund by 7.30am rather then 8am. All bleary eyed I looked out of the window to be greeted by a beautiful vibrant sunrise. Did no more then throw on some clothes over my nightie and rush to deck 7 for the compulsory photo. By the time I returned Ian had got dressed, made tea, was ready for breakfast and was twiddling his thumbs waiting for me.
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| Arriving in Kristiansund |
Excursion today was 2 hour trip round the harbor on a replica veteran boat Sundboat. The original Sundboat had been in service transporting people between the three islands since 1873. In a glorious sunny and warm( yes warm) morning we set off past the Boudicca and suddenly realised the life boats were being lowered. Forget the sightseeing it was much more fun watching the antics of the crews especially when they tried to return the boats to there docking station.
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| The Sundboat |
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| Think the crew needed to read the instructions before dropping and retrieving the boats. |
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| Life boat 10 being lowered. The only life boat with windows and guess what. It's ours. We must be some of the elite!!! |
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| Off for a jaunt before being retrieved. Most of the crew also on lifeboat drill. Standing on deck in their life jackets. |
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| On the way back up. Crew leaving to resume their duties |
After the trip and a scrumptious curry lunch followed by pancakes ( it is after all Shrove Tuesday) we headed into town and up toward the highest point to do a bit of sightseeing up the Varden tower. Magnificent views but only had my small Samsung compact camera so not great photos. Did a bit of shopping for thank you gifts, ( Christine and Kev for looking after Jade and a small toy for Josh which I will give Josh if he has been good with Jade) then back to the boat to await dinner. Have started to struggle to find clothes to fit me as now have no waistline. I'm more like a barrel
then an hour glass! Ian still looks okay. Must be all that gym time he is putting in daily. Me.......I gave up as to much like hard work and after all I am on holiday!
May see the Northern lights again as skies are still clear but with the boat going further south this will diminish daily. Ship left port at 17.00.
As Captain Lars sounded Boudicca's horn as we cast off, canon fire was heard across the bay. Frightened us all to death but seems it is tradition to say farewell to the cruise ships by firing off three rounds. We were even waved to by the locals waving flags. One was heard to say farewell but don't come back!! He was smiling as he said it so none of us took it badly.
It was a no show for the Aurora tonight. Too much cloud cover so am left in no doubt there will be no more sightings. Spent evening chatting to our new found friends (Peter, Jean, Jim and Jennie). Did quiz and came third ( What a surprise) All about catchphrases. Stayed up talking to Brian and Pat till 1.30am. More drink consumed. Goodness knows whats happening to our livers.
To be continued..............
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