LAST PORT – BERGEN

It was grey, dull and damp morning as we sailed into Bergen. We were on deck but there was not much to see. A suspension bridge appeared and the Captain came on the P.A saying that although it looked as if we would hit it, Aurora had passed under it many times before.

First on the shuttle bus to town which was deserted as it was only 8 30am! Despite low cloud we decided to take the Floibanen funicular up Mount Floyen.

Bergen quayside and harbour from Mount Floyen, can just see Aurora in top left of photo

We had enough breaks in the cloud to get great views over the town and harbour before descending the same way.

A quick look around the Old Town with wooden buildings and even wooden pavement surfaces.

Island Girl in one of the narrow streets of the Bryggen

Then into the fish market and around the harbour. Quick look at the cathedral perched on a hill before getting the shuttle bus back to the ship.

Lazy afternoon as usual by the pool which was warm as by now the sun had come out. Early sail off at 4pm with MSC Opera close behind. We watched it sail under the suspension bridge and it will

follow us all the way at it is due in Southampton on Monday morning as well.

MSC Opera passes under the Askoybrua suspension bridge as we leave Bergen

Day at sea tomorrow which we need after a hectic cruise. Time to see the King's Speech in the cinema, and sort out the packing. Looking forward to getting back to our little island on Monday morning!

GERAINGER a propa Fjord!

Up early yet again! The views were superb as we sailed towards the village of Gerainger past the famous Seven Sisters waterfalls.

Seven Sisters Waterfall from Geraingerfjord

And up the narrow fjord to Gerainger.

Village of Gerainger as we arrive

Early tour so just time for breakfast before getting a tender ashore then a coach trip up Mount Dalsnibba where we had superb views back down the Fjord and valley.

Geraingerfjord valley from the top of Mount Dalsnibba

The toll (£10.00 for cars, £100.00 for coaches) road up was amazing with hairpin bends and a gravel surface all the way up to 1500 metres. On the way back we stopped by a frozen lake,

Island Girl standing by Lake Djupvasshytta

and then at another viewpoint where we had great views of Aurora in the Fjord

Aurora in Geraingerfjord (and yes we did stand on that lower viewpoint where you can just see 2 men standing)

Then a look around the village with its quaint Church and gushing waterfalls before a late lunch and swim back at the ship. We had been forecast rain but it never arrived and the temperature was nudging 20C and despite being overcast the cloud base was high enough to see all the views.

NOT SO MUCH ARCTIC; MORE TROPICAL!

After a chilly day at sea we woke as we approached Tromso with the temperature already 10C with clear sun. Ship sailed towards Tromso passing amazing snow-capped mountains. Unlike Adonia we were too tall to pass under the bridge so had to berth some way out of the town.

Arctic Cathedral on left of picture in Tromsdalen and bridge linking it to the island of Tromsoya with its town of Tromso on the right where we docked

We were on first shuttle bus to centre and had a walk around town which is an island in the Fjord. A towering bridge links the island with the mainland with its strange iceberg inspired Cathedral. We caught a local bus for the short ride over the bridge to the base of the cable car up Mount Storsteinen. Even early there were long queues so we decided we would go in the Arctic Cathedral and then walk back over the bridge

Arctic Cathedral in foreground with Tromsobrua-bridge behind

which gave us superb views over the town with the three cruise ships (Aurora, Balmoral, and Adonia) in three separate berths.

By now the sun was well up and the temperature into the twenties so Island Boy needed a swim back at the ship. Despite the weather in Olden we have been fortunate – the weather in Spitsbergen was amazing as it was snowing heavily 3 days before we were there and Tromso is experiencing it's warmest summer since 1980. After lunch we were taken right to the other end of the town for a most interesting trip around Adonia, P and O's latest very small Cruise Ship. Not for us: too small and not enough facilities. In particular only one very small pool. Back to ship through the amazing labyrinth tunnel system under and around town complete with roundabouts and underground car parks. Temperature now over 25C so a swim in the outside pool and then dinner and a show of Andrew Lloyd Webber songs in the nightclub Carmen's.

THURSDAY AT SEA

Very busy day at sea: early swim, Headliners Singers and Dancers interviewed by Cruise Director, talk by Gilly Goolden, light lunch, King's Speech in cinema, Galley walk-through, Chocoholic Tea, maybe another swim but no time for talks on Arctic Explorers or Cunard Queens! Need to be up early on Friday for sail into Gerainger.

Magical Day!

Ny Alesund is a small settlement on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, in the Svalbard group of islands. We had sailed for 2 days due North from the Norwegian coast to reach this point only 600 miles south of the North Pole. Two thirds of the island is covered by glaciers as in the picture below.

We were woken at 03 30 am by the ship's fog horn: not a good sign. However when we ventured on deck at 06 30 we were greeted by a most amazing sight of a snowy wonderland, brilliant clear sunshine and blue cloudless skies. The ship slowly sailed to where we anchored and we were tendered to the small settlement which is now a scientific centre for Arctic research.

 

By now the temperature was over 10C and we went back to the ship and Island Boy enjoyed a swim in the two outside pools on board Aurora in the shadow of the 3 peaks named Dana, Svea and Nora in the background. Lots of people were sunbathing!

We then left our anchorage and sailed up another Fjord where there was a glacier and pack ice covering the end of the inlet: the Captain slowly 'nudged' this ice with the bow of the ship as the photo below shows.

 

Then off to sea for the 36 hour sail to our next port of Tromso where we have been able to get a place on a tour of Adonia P and O's latest ship which will also be in Tromso! Currently the temperature is -1C – more like the temperatures we were expecting!

ALL AT SEA

We are now into our second day at sea, sailing due north to Ny Alesund on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen (Svalbard). This is only 600 miles south of the North Pole and we expect the temperature to be around freezing, it currently is 5C!

There is plenty to do on sea days. We tend to spend a couple of hours under the crystal dome which is very warm if the sun is shining despite the cold outside. Island Boy swims his 100 lengths – about 800 metres - and Island Girl reads her books or does a puzzle. We also enjoy a lap or two of the prom deck – 3.2 laps to the mile, or going to the many activities. Yesterday we went to two talks: one on the life of the Titanic, and another given by a Southampton University glaciologist who did her Phd thesis on the retreat of the Briksdal Glacier which we visited a few days ago. Both these were very interesting. We also listened to two port presentations. Today we have the Captain

being interviewed on 'Desert Island Discs', a Strictly Come Dancing' type show and another port presentation to keep us busy. We also find time to do a bit of eating – well that's what cruising is all about!

Yesterday afternoon the wind picked up to force 7 – time for the tablets! - and the sea was described as rough The pools had fairly big waves as well as the picture below shows!

Trondheim

Up fairly early to see us wend our way up the Trondheimsfjord, which is less spectacular then the Nordfjord of yesterday. Surrounding land is much flatter but at least the weather is much better, strong sunshine and 17C! Leisurely explore of Norway's third largest city seeing the Nidaros Cathedral

and the Trampe bicycle lift, which is out of action at present due to health and safety changes! When working a cable is in a housing which forms the pavement curb up the hill. Footplates are anchored at 80 feet intervals and are concealed in a housing only emerging when a cyclist pays! You use the lift then by putting your foot on the plate to be gently pushed up the hill. We were looking forward to seeing this but had to use our imagination! Then up to the Kristiansten Fortress for views over the city. A quick look at the main shopping area and then back to the ship for a lazy afternoon by

and in the pool!

We have been told that we pass north into the Arctic Circle at 7am tomorrow, Saturday 11^th June so the next blog will be from the frozen north!

WOW - Norwegian Scenery is Fab - even in the rain!

The Shows so far

We have had three shows so far and they have all been pretty good, the best being the Headliners show 'True Brit' with songs from British Musicals which was right up our street. This cruise is also hosting a music festival with serious music hosted by John Brunning from Classic FM. Our second show was a gala show of classical music and opera which we found enjoyable but not really our scene. The Headliners second show featured swing which was good but not as sharp as the first.

Thursday's Port – Olden

or Glaciers and Waterfalls

We left Stavanger at 5pm and sailed up the coast of Norway with land in sight all the time till we went to bed ! Sunset at 22.41 this evening. Sunrise was at 3 53am, or just when we entered Nordfjord. We waited 'till 6am to get up and see the views which were dramatic with snow topped hills surrounding the

fjord. Weather a bit grim with rain all day and mist around the hills. Set off up the valley by coach - then the longish walk to the Briksdal Glacier up the river valley carved by melting ice - with stunning waterfalls. Despite the rain we had

 super views of both glacier and waterfalls. – the mist set in as we walked back down the path for tea, coffee and cakes at the Briksdal Inn which was excellent and back to ship for a late lunch. It reminded us of Wales in the rain and we can't wait to go there later this summer. Then a short walk into the town of Olden with its quaint old wooden church (yes Pat we loved it).

Southampton, At sea and Stavanger

Getting to Know Aurora

Getting to Southampton, departure and first day at sea

Easy journey to Southampton and on board by 12 15pm. This despite a detour in Southampton to go to the Mayflower booking office to get tickets for The Osmonds farewell UK tour. This will be the second such occasion as we went to Cardiff for the first (of many?) farewell tours! Bit cold and cloudy but enjoyed sailing down Southampton Water and passed the Isle of Wight before going down to dinner. Took a picture of Springvale and could make out Steve and Pat waving us off!

We really like Aurora: perfect size for us. We find the décor less glitzy than the newer larger ships we have been on and it feels less crowded. Lucky again with our dining table right by a window: perfect for seeing the view as we leave ports down Fjords!

The indoor pool was almost too warm and despite it being a cool day the outdoor pool was plenty warm enough for swimming.

We particularly like one of the lounges which looks like a stately home drawing room complete with a (fake) fireplace and the four floor central atrium with Lalique centre piece

Cabin is comfortable and nicely furnished but the bath is more a large shower basin!

Stavanger

Another new country for Island Girl and Boy: Norway. As usual up early to watch ship sail up Byfjorden to the port of Stavanger. Cold and slightly overcast but dry and fairly clear so could be a lot worse. Enjoyed a good look around seeing MSC Opera berth on the opposite side of the natural harbour. Town is a quaint mixture of old and new and very neatly laid out. Decided not to take the train to Oslo: it takes nearly 8 hours and costs Kr886 (£105) each day return! Back on board in time for Island Boy to have a swim before lunch and an afternoon of lazing: we are on holiday!

Norwegian Cruise

We are off on a fourteen day cruise to Norway and will spend some time in the cold, north of the Arctic Circle

We will be on P and O Aurora which is a new ship for us

Seen here passing Seaview earlier this year - roll on Monday when we will be just going down to dinner as it leaves Spithead!