Sunday, October 20, 2024

Made it to Norway!

 When was I last in England at this time of year i wondered? Brain cells kicking into gear, searched my brain data base and came up with October 1996! I had forgotten about damp misty days! 


Our trip down to Southampton was uneventful. It was a relatively easy process to board the ship and find our cabin. This ship is so much bigger than the last one I was on - wonder how often I will get lost! 


Jake and John are at one end of the ship and I'm at the opposite end! They are also 3 levels above me!


We did an exploration of the ship - 2 outdoor pools with a couple of hot tubs , an indoor pool with a couple of hot tubs, an art gallery, two theatres, the list goes on. 


We left around 5pm on a sunny afternoon. The captain had announced that at around sunset, we should have a good view of a comet, which was a once in 80,000 year event. We had drinks in the 'Crows Nest' bar just before sunset and then dashed onto the deck to look for the comet. We stood on deck, shivering, long after the appointed time but no luck for us. Maybe the clouds didn't help! One of the crew told me, next day, that they had photographed it! 


Our first full day at sea was glorious. The sun was shining and it was quite warm. We attended a couple of lectures - ' How fjiords are formed' and then an excellent one about 'Art Heists'. The evening entertainment was terrific - a trio singing Motown songs ( my favourite genre) then a dash to see Jay McGee ( formerly of the Rocking Berries). He was fabulously funny and I was laughing so much I had tears streaming down my face!


Yesterday, Saturday, was much cooler and very grey but that didn't stop us from. having a swim and hot (?) tub before breakfast. We started in the indoor pool and the went to the outdoor pool - mad fools!


After breakfast we attended another Art lecture this time it was about L S Lowry, the English artist - very interesting.


The rest if the day was spent playing cards resting and reading until it was time to get into our finery for the 'Black Tie' event. We all did our glittering best for Champagne with the Captain! By the end of the evening I, alongside numerous other females, had to take my shoes off and walk barefoot, my feet were aching so much.


I am writing this at 6am, our clocks have moved one hour ahead, and I can see land and twinkling lights as we head to our first port of call, which  is Andalsnes. This area is know as the mountaineering capital of Norway. We have glided into the Romsdalsfjiord. It's still dark as sunrise isn't until 8:30!


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