Inside the Arctic Circle

The next few days took us into the Arctic Circle . . .

First stop, Svalbard, the northernmost point of the trip - didn't see any 'armoured' bears (a la His Dark Materials), unless you count this very impressive sculpture!



Weather was dismal and damp, and our port of call, Longyearbyen, was a triumph of function over form . . .


. . .  pipes running through the town, mine workings, utilitarian housing blocks, and abandoned snowmobiles (left where the melting snow had stranded them).


Svalbard Museum was pretty good though, and the sun even came out as we left . . .

After a day at sea we were back to the coast of mainland Norway to visit what is (mistakenly as it turns out) often described as the most northerly point of mainland Europe - the North Cape.

We'd booked the North Cape shore excursion, which stopped off at a so-called native Sami 'camp' - there was a tent, an old boy dressed in traditional costume, and a reindeer or two - but most of the site was given over to the tourist shop!

The North Cape itself had a fantastic visitor centre, with some great cliff views - and the weather was at least dry, if a little dull.


Back to Honningsvag, where by the afternoon it was raining again . .  so we had another damp walk round a very deserted looking town, before returning to the ship.


Later that night we sailed past the North Cape which actually looked much more impressive from the sea.

Next stop, Tromso, one of the largest cities north of the Arctic Circle.

Got up to an unrelentingly wet day - had planned a long walk and a cable car trip up the mountain to take in the views - managed the long walk (refused to pay for the bus) but gave up on the cable car (wouldn't have been able to see anything!).

Ended up in the Arctic-themed 'Polaria' centre instead (which had the advantage of being warm and dry), and as it turned out it had some really good exhibits, and stunning panoramic films.

The large seal aquarium was also great fun (you could walk through a tunnel underneath it).  We were there for 'feeding time' which involved lots of stimulating activities for the seals, who all moved far too fast for us to take a halfway decent photo.

From there we eventually headed back out into the rain - walked over Tromso bridge to see the outside of the Arctic Cathedral - then retraced our steps on the long trudge back to the ship.

The rain did eventually begin to ease off, and we called in at the Botanic Gardens (nearly opposite the ship's berth) for a quick look round - would have been really lovely with a bit of sunshine.

By the time we got back on board we'd walked miles, and were more than ready for hot chocolate and a sit down!

After the uninspiring weather in the Arctic Circle, really hoping for some sunshine for our next port of call - Geirangerfjord . . .

Beyond the Sea

After a day at sea we reached our first port in Norway - Stavanger ...

We'd got an excursion booked for a boat trip along Lysejfjord, which turned out to be a bit on the wet and windy side. Stopped at a lakeside cafe, complete with a rather embarrassed looking lad dressed in Norse costume, for a taste of the famous Norwegian waffle.

From there we went on up the fjord to some of its particular landmarks (Pulpit Rock, Vagabond's Cave), before returning to Stavanger.  Enjoyed being out on a smaller boat despite the weather, and even in the mists the scenery was lovely.

We had the afternoon then in Stavanger itself - very much a mix of the old and new - Old Stavanger, right by the harbour, was all clapboard houses and winding cobbled streets, strangely dominated by the nearby cruise ships.



Our next stop - the Lofoten Islands ...


Another excursion, to the Lofotr Viking Museum, with its fantastic reconstruction of a Viking longhouse.




Before going on to the UNESCO protected former fishing village site of Nusfjord - more extremely picturesque clapboard buildings and walkways.


We sailed away from the Lofoten Islands in glorious sunshine - heading for the Arctic Circle ...

All Aboard!

Our 'big' holiday of the year - both somewhat apprehensive about how the 'cruise' experience would suit us, but were really keen to see the Norwegian fjords, and this seemed one of the easiest and cheapest ways to do it.  Just had to get to Southampton, get on board, and relax . .  .

Having booked a hotel for the Friday night, enjoyed an evening wander round old Southampton town, which looks like it has some interesting sights of its own.


Embarkation day was a little more fraught - acquiring a taxi to take us down to Mayflower terminal was easier said than done (despite booking in advance, we were still waiting a good 45 minutes later, at which point we hijacked the next taxi dropping someone off!).

Did eventually get to the terminal, then queued to check in, queued some more to get on board, but eventually made it to our stateroom (all very nice, large balcony, and two bottles of wine, plus strawberries dipped in chocolate, as a gift from Martin's parents).


Anyway it was a beautiful first day to be on board - glorious hot sunshine, and as we were the last ship out of port, the fire tugs saluted us on our way . . .

Buttercups and Bees

Sunshine in the garden - and the cameras are out, testing new lenses etc.

Took a snap of the buttercups in the lawn - it's been a phenomenal year for buttercups - the fields seem to be full of them (as is our lawn).

And Martin got some good close-ups of the local bee population going about their business . . .

York - Sights and Shopping

Long weekend in York (on the back of a work thing) - both needed a few new clothes for our forthcoming holiday (cruising Norway), and decided that the sights of York would help leaven the shopping experience.

                   

Also found time to revisit our favourite pub in York, the Mason's Arms, still serving fantastic home cooking - and with some very nice cider on offer too . . . much needed after the trials of taking a man shopping . . . and doubtless for him a much needed pint of beer, after enduring far too many shops!

Sunshine Days

Sunny days, a long birthday weekend, and a family visit . . .  all an opportunity to get out and finally experience some features of Aberystywth that I'd managed to miss over the last 15+ years!

First off, took a trip back out to Ynys-hir in the sunshine:

- watched a chaffinch singing his heart out;

- walked in the woods;

- and took a peek at the Springwatch studio (there were still cables everywhere).


Saturday brought the 'Aberystwyth and Ceredigion County Show'- beautiful day for it - went round the tents, saw amazing varieties of chickens in particular (didn't realise they came quite that big), and tents full of cakes and produce; then there were the show rings and pens with cows, sheep, and horses; lots of stalls and other displays; and parades of agricultural vehicles (from gypsy caravans, to steam engines, to tractors).

Finally, took a trip out to Devil's Bridge on the Vale of Rheidol Railway - beautiful scenery, bit of a jolty ride, but the train was cute.

So that's a couple of things crossed off the list - and a great weekend!

Courgettes and Cabbages

Finally started on the veg garden this weekend, got both plots weeded and dug over, and planted out the courgettes (and butternut squash) in the top veg patch.




Then in the small veg plot cobbled together a net cloche to (hopefully) protect my baby savoy cabbages from the depradations of any passing cabbage whites . . .

Will update on progress in due course!