The Rossers in Norway May 2014 Part 2

[Jan Rosser]

Day 3 Andalsnes

Early breakfast in the dining room as we were going on an excursion.

Highlight of the trip so far the trip on the Rauma railway - a coach trip first and then the return journey on the train through tunnels and over numerous bridges -  all with breathtaking scenery.  My son is a geography teacher and knew far more facts than the guide in fact she was pretty hopeless and as we were sat in the front we heard her being prompted by the driver many times.  My late husband was a chartered civil engineer and particularly interested in geology - he would have been absolutely fascinated by the sights.  Again it was so clean and the air so pure. 

We had lunch in the restaurant when we returned to the ship and then while Phoebe went to the kids club we went for a stroll around the town - Olivia had money to spend!!  She actually bought an iPod case for her sister and nothing for herself. The girls wanted to go swimming again and it was much warmer in fact we sat out on the deck sunbathing (and sleeping) while they swam - the weather has been quite unbelievable and most people took advantage and were in shorts and T-shirts.

We had dinner in the restaurant - the waiters are so kind to the girls and make such a fuss of them.  Phoebe has been on the adult menu now for a few days and demolished a whole lamb shank which the waiter boned for her plus veg and dessert and cheese and biscuits!We went up to the Crows Nest to watch the sail along the fjord and have a drink and a game of cards which is always hilarious with the girls - Phoebe is left handed and wants to deal the opposite way!!

And so to bed - still really light at 11 pm - so strange.  Tomorrow we go up the Briksdal Glacier 

Day 4 Olden

Another beautiful sail in to Olden - eating breakfast in the dining room and sailing through the fjord is - and we all agreed on this - absolutely wonderful. The weather is sunny dry and warm - can't believe another perfect day but because we are going up to the glacier we've got lots of layers on - turned out to be a mistake as although it was chillier at the foot of the glacier it was still warm.

Anyway lovely bus ride up to the troll cars and today we had a really knowledgeable guide who told us all sorts of interesting facts even my granddaughter Olivia remarked she was better than yesterday's guide!! Again breathtaking scenery and the ride up to the glacier on the troll cars was quite exciting along a rough trail and was followed by a walk to the lake below the glacier and just as we got there there was a rumbling noise and part of the glacier broke off and tumbled down into the lake - great excitement from the girls - well from us too and I managed to video it.  On the walk up there were quite a few markers showing the position of the glacier and how much it has receded over the years.

We walked back down and had coffee and the best cakes ever - I ate four different types (they were only bite size - honest !!) and then a ride back to the ship. Because we'd eaten the cakes no one wanted lunch so the girls went for a swim and we sat out on the deck - plenty of sunscreen required - fabulous out on the deck until 5 pm. 

Then shower and dinner - we all had steak tonight except Olivia who had Chicken Kiev. Phoebe ate a sirloin steak bigger than mine followed by strawberry mille feuille and cheese and biscuits - they both have really healthy appetites.

The Headliners were performing in the show lounge tonight - Killer Queen - so we had to get there early for seats so that the girls could see it properly.  They sat absolutely mesmerised and were highly embarrassed when we were singing along and waving our arms in the air!!

And so to bed - sun still shining but all the fresh air and food and drink just makes us all so tired.

Day 5 Stavanger

Docked at around 9 am while we were in the dining room having breakfast.  After all the sail ins up the fjords I must admit this wasn't as pretty although we were docked right across from the old part of Stavanger with the white boarded houses right opposite the ship.  To the other side was a Tui ship the Mein Schiff 1 - rather an ugly old ship painted a dark blue with lots of writing over it. We were booked on a leisurely Stavanger trip and were accompanied by a very knowledgeable guide - a Scottish lady who appears to have settled in Norway.  There were no stops on this trip and quite honestly I found it a bit disappointing - it was rather flat compared with our other excursions.

We were taken to a few lovely beaches and there were camping and caravan sites alongside - my son has a touring caravan and said he would love to stay there but I think the weather we were experiencing made it all look more attractive. He fancied hiring one of those camper vans and driving around.

First day we didn't see waterfalls - I think we must have oohed an aahed over every one we saw on the other trips - some of them are so amazing.

We were dropped off back at the ship and had a wander around the town but as it was Ascension day and a bank holiday in Norway very little was open.  

After lunch we made for the pool which was netted over (one of the problems was due to the tiny mosaic tiles coming off) so we went to the back of the ship and sat out in beautiful sunshine again and the girls used the outdoor pool.  At 5 pm we had the great British sailaway and it was quite funny really to be playing such patriotic tunes right next to a German cruise ship.  Of course we gave it all we had  - flag waving, singing etc. My granddaughter refused to stand next to me and her daddy when we did a bit of air guitaring - too embarrassing!!

Although it isn't actually Olivia's birthday until the 3 June we arranged for a cake and balloons and of course the traditional happy birthday was sung to her by the waiters. 

Last show was Destination Dance which the girls had seen before but were still entranced by - we had a drink in the Crow's Nest and a game of cards and then bed.  Quite noticeable it was darker tonight as we are much further south and although the girls are going to bed a lot later than at home and it is very light in their cabin they sometimes have to be woken up in the morning.  I’m not surprised they are tired with the amount of time they spend in the pool.

Last day tomorrow - seem to have been away much longer than a week.

[GillD46]

It sounds as though you re having a great time with the family. Hope the last day continues well.

[david63]

Thanks for the reports jan - it sounds as if a "good time" was had by all

[cruisin_duo]

Thank you Jan. Enjoyed reading your reports on Norway.