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 ...

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 ...