This was because we were about to head out into open sea, and a force 9 gale. We were instructed (more than once) to sit down and relax, or stay in our cabins, so found ourselves seats middle deck looking out to sea.
It was two hours then of up and down, up and down, as we negotiated what we were later told were seas with 10 metre waves.
Can't say I enjoyed it, but managed to avoid the sick bag by breathing in on the 'ups' and out on the 'downs'. Some of our fellow passengers didn't look so good mind you!
Were glad to make proper landfall where we could get off the ship for a couple of hours. This was at Ålesund, famed for its Art Nouveau architecture, and Aksla viewpoint (418 steps up from town).
Unfortunately we didn't have time to tackle the steps and have a proper look round - although Martin might have made it! Had a good wander at ground level though - plenty to see, with the buildings and the harbour, and good to stretch the legs on firm ground.
Back on board, and sailing north, the next couple of days took us to lots of small local ports, with two longer stopovers where we had a chance to get off ship again and have a look round.
And both had snow - proper snow - real, deep, white, crunchy snow. The kind of snow we just haven't been getting (on the Welsh coast anyway!).
First stop was Trondheim, where the sights included a crow snowboarding on a food carton, the old town bridge, Nidaros Cathedral, and the wooden warehouses lining the waterways:
The next day we were at Bodø, admiring the local artwork (no, I don't know what it is!) and enjoying a snowy walk round the harbour.
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