Bon Voyage

First real holiday of 2017- and something a bit different as part of my half-centenary year celebrations.  So we're off back to Norway, 'voyaging' (not cruising!) with Hurtigruten.

Started our travels in Bristol, where I had a couple of days sightseeing in the Spring sunshine, while Martin was still in work.

Already felt like holidays on that first day in Portishead, where after a sunny walk round the harbour, and a picnic lunch, it was time for a cider outside in the Royal Inn beer garden.



Then it was off to Bristol Airport for the flight to Bergen for the holiday 'proper'.




Arrived later on the Thursday afternoon, on a plane full of fellow 'voyagers', for our transfer from the airport to the Hurtigruten terminal in Bergen.



While the weather was a bit cooler than the UK it was by no means freezing, and we'd obviously just missed the rain!  Unfortunately there wasn't really any time to see much of Bergen, other than the view from the coach window - booking onto the ship involved quite a queue (which we were at the end of) and then it was time for dinner, by which time it was well and truly dark out.  At least we'd already toured Bergen on our last trip to Norway.

Were up in the Observation Lounge on the top deck for our 22.30 departure from Bergen - watching the lights of the city and bridges go by with a round of drinks (not something we'll be doing often at Norwegian prices!).

Then it was back to our cabin, to unpack and settle ourselves for the first night on board - time to sleep . . .