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 . . .

Inbetween Festivities

Christmas to New Year saw us taking a return trip to Bristol.

All lit up it looked very festive by night:

The walk to Clifton the next day also took me past the topically titled (for the time of year) Christmas Steps.

In Clifton itself, wandered through Birdcage Walk (the graveyard of the now demolished St Andrew's Church), with its atmospheric tree tunnel.

   






All in all a nice break on our way to meet up with family for New Year itself.

Bristol, Bridge and Boat

So from East Anglia, it was on to the South West for a couple of days. First stop Portishead (where Martin was working), and where I took advantage of the emerging sunshine to revisit the nearby National Trust property Tyntesfield.

Things have moved on since we last visited in 2012, and the property feels in much more of a 'finished' state.   It looked glorious in the autumn sunshine, and it was even warm enough to sit outside and snack on an NT cheese scone.

Had a good wander round the house and gardens, before returning to Portishead to meet up with Martin, who took me on to see the famous Clifton Bridge.  Gorgeous views out over the gorge:

Evening in Bristol, where Martin left me the following day for a bit of shopping, and a walk along the river back up to Clifton where I was due to meet him late lunchtime after work.

Walking by the river, spotted the local replica of the Matthew, the ship that John Cabot sailed to Newfoundland in 1497.  Bit of deja vu here, as we'd seen another Matthew replica on a visit to Bonavista in Newfoundland back in 2006!


A good couple of days - and Bristol is definitely a city to return to.