Bird-Cam Highlights . . .

The last few months have captured some interesting fly-bys - how many can you identify?

On the Boardwalk

Sunny August afternoon and Martin took himself out to Ynys-hir (via the back roads) on his bike, while I followed in the car (with bike rack) a little later. Met him in the car park as planned (despite some dodgy tracks, and a close encounter with a farm dog), and we headed out for a walk round the 'boardwalk' trail.




Lovely walk, with some interesting sculptures dotted around the landscape, including the dragonfly above, and this larger than life snake in the grass . . .  much more to see, but time was getting on.  Want to come back soon to get out to the more remote hides.

Summer Sunshine

June started sunny, and the temperature finally began to pick up as well - the rest of the month was a little more mixed mind you:

July saw the sunshine return (although we missed some of the best of it, while away in Norway) - on the whole though a great improvement on 2012 at least!

Gloriosa

I think it's a Yucca gloriosa . . .

. . . it's certainly a glorious bloom while it lasts.

Jammy!

Got back from the cruise to find that the fruit cage had performed particularly well in our absence - had a freezer full of gooseberries, plus a load still on the bushes, and the strawberries were still generating a solid harvest.

Since we couldn't eat it all, my thoughts turned to jam, and I was soon chopping and boiling up the makings of 'strawberry and gooseberry' jam, and angsting over the 'set' (as usual).

The gooseberry curd was an even more fraught experience, pulping the gooseberries, straining out the skins and pips, then simmering the mix, trying to get it to just the 'right' temperature.  

Had to resort to the microwave in the end, which worked an absolute treat - will have to remember that for the future! - but got there in the end . . .

Carry on Cruising?

Back to Southampton on another blazing hot day - disembarked - back to the car, and soon on the road home (unfortunately without air conditioning).

So would we do it again?

We got to see some fantastic bits of Norway (which was the whole idea):

It was very relaxing, we were well fed (cake, cake and more cake) and looked after - there was entertainment if we wanted it (some of it was even pretty good) . . .

And the ship was fascinating in and of itself:

Got more exercise, walking round ports / the ship / going to Zumba classes / the gym, than you'd think - which was good considering the amount of cake on offer!

However, I think we'll add a few years before we consider another cruise  . . .

Gateway to the Fjords

Our final couple of days in Norway and the sun actually came out!


Geirangerfjord - UNESCO World Heritage site - couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day - sailing through the fjords, past the Seven Sisters waterfall, the scenery was just stunning.

Ashore at Geiranger we took a zig-zag route up to the Flydalsjuvet viewpoint, taking in some more lovely scenery along the way. From the top there was another fantastic view, with the cruise ship dominating the end of the fjord.



On the walk back down had time to take in more of the local sights, and have a look round the shops - the village was charming, but very tourist-oriented.


Next day was our final port of call, the so-called Gateway to the Fjords, Bergen - and the sun was still with us (despite it's reputation as the rainiest city in Norway).

We'd got an early start and were in the old market area of Bryggen before the rest of the tourists, so got to look round in peace and quiet.


By the time we made it to the Floibanen funicular the hordes were out and we had to queue to get our ride, but the views from the top of Floyen were worth the wait.

Had to be back at the ship by 1.30pm, but had time to take in a few more of the sights of Bergen - the market and shops - before boarding the shuttle coach back to the dock.



Then we were homeward bound, sailing under the Askoy Bridge, and back out to sea ...