August 2019
As part of our trip to the UK we decided to include a week long cruise to the Norwegian Fjords with Sally's Mum Doris (as her mobility has decreased somewhat and having the sights come to us seemed like a good idea). Also persuaded Emma the niece (wasn't difficult has she had just graduated and was starting her first real job in a few weeks time) to come along.
Being forewarned that there were a couple of black tie evenings the required glad rags were acquired (M&S Dinner suit and some new snazzy cufflinks for me).
Hail Hydra
On the way to Southampton, where the boat was due to depart from, we stopped off in Hythe for lunch. Hythe we found is home to a very long pier with it's own narrow gauge train to ferry passengers from one end to the other to catch the ferry to Southampton.
The train and carriages, whilst cute, have a dark history as they were originally used to ferry mustard gas around during WW I.
As we drove into the dock we saw our cruise ship P&O Brittana - first thought was 'how the hell does that float' - it is massive.
As we drove into the dock we saw our cruise ship P&O Brittana - first thought was 'how the hell does that float' - it is massive.
Having never been on a cruise this was all new territory for us, and have to say for somewhere like Norway it was a good idea (as cost of food/accommodation in Norway is painfully high). It took us a while to find our way around the ship, and found that we clocked up impressive number of fit bit steps just walking around the ship - nowhere near enough to counteract the food fest that the cruise offered. To give you an indication of size it wasn't until day 4 that I found out that there was a casino and English Pub style bar there.
We had a day at sea followed by days in Stevanger, Flam, Olden, Bergen and another sea day on the way back.
Sea Day
This typically is a quiet day as the ship sails out of Southampton and start steaming up the east coast of the UK towards Norway and passengers try and figure out where everything is.
The day was indeed a quiet day until about lunchtime when there was a call from the captain for blood donors, lots of blood donors. Half an hour later all passengers were herded off the decks as the crew made preparations for a rescue helicopter - there being no helipad this meant clearing the pool area so that a spot for a medic and stretcher could be winched down.
Once the medic and stretcher were on board the chopper circled to boat until such time as whoever had injured themselves were strapped in and ready to be winched off.
Our first port of call was Stavenger a pretty little town with lovely old houses, ancient church, sardine canning museum, and a cool monument a short local bus ride away.
Stavenger Cathedral
Sverd I Fjell monument
Flam
Flam primary attraction is the Flam Railway a 20 km railway that rises 866m and passes through some beautiful terrain.
The train stops in a tunnel where you can get out to look at an impresive waterfall. There is a legend of Huldra a witch that lives in the mountains and lures men into the woods. This poor souls job was to act out this role - assume she was wearing multiple thermal layers as it was bloody cold!
Olden
Olden is a tiny village at the end of a very of a very long fjord with easy access to a the BrixdaGlacier. It was here where three generations decided to have a formal photo.
The access to the Bergen Glacier was by open topped "troll" car and then a fifteen minute walk over roughish terrain, so Emma and I opted for this while Sally and Doris took a recently constructed gondola up to a high point on the far side of the fjord.
Bergen
The other Nordic delicacies we came across were Seal Oil in a tin and Narwhale Salami.
We had a day at sea followed by days in Stevanger, Flam, Olden, Bergen and another sea day on the way back.
Sea Day
This typically is a quiet day as the ship sails out of Southampton and start steaming up the east coast of the UK towards Norway and passengers try and figure out where everything is.
The day was indeed a quiet day until about lunchtime when there was a call from the captain for blood donors, lots of blood donors. Half an hour later all passengers were herded off the decks as the crew made preparations for a rescue helicopter - there being no helipad this meant clearing the pool area so that a spot for a medic and stretcher could be winched down.
Once the medic and stretcher were on board the chopper circled to boat until such time as whoever had injured themselves were strapped in and ready to be winched off.
Clearing the decks
The rescue chopper
Stavenger
Sverd I Fjell monument
Sardine canning ws once Stavengers primary industry.
Flam
Flam primary attraction is the Flam Railway a 20 km railway that rises 866m and passes through some beautiful terrain.
The train stops in a tunnel where you can get out to look at an impresive waterfall. There is a legend of Huldra a witch that lives in the mountains and lures men into the woods. This poor souls job was to act out this role - assume she was wearing multiple thermal layers as it was bloody cold!
Olden
Olden is a tiny village at the end of a very of a very long fjord with easy access to a the BrixdaGlacier. It was here where three generations decided to have a formal photo.
The formal photo
The not so formal photo.
The access to the Bergen Glacier was by open topped "troll" car and then a fifteen minute walk over roughish terrain, so Emma and I opted for this while Sally and Doris took a recently constructed gondola up to a high point on the far side of the fjord.
Troll cars.
Suffice to say it was a bit breezy up by the Glacier.
Huge plateau of snow and ice feeding multi glaciers and waterfalls
Gondola way station
Bergen
Bergen was our last port of call and the harbour is lined with various ancient traders buildings that are showing their age in that none of them are anywhere near vertical.
Wandering around we passed through the local fish market that had, among other things, king crab on sale. Cooked it was going for about 300 Dollars a kilo.
Our last stop in Olden was at the local Ice Bar. Yes it's a bar where everything is made of ice including the glasses you drink out of. Before entering you are given a fur lined poncho (which you really need). Bit cheesey but lots of fun.
Sea Day
The last sea involved very little. Just generally chilling, spending time in the hot tub watching the North sea drilling rigs go by.
But we did take up the chance to do a tour behind the galley doors and see how the kitchens operate. It all works like a well oiled machine with procedures for everything - as if someone gets food poisoning they really want to track down the source.
All bread was made fresh each day
Have to say that the food on board was amazing and putting weight on is pretty much a given. Food was always available, from the help yourself buffet midships, to the constant pizza and burgers by the pool and the grab and go chilled sarnies for snacks when out sightseeing.
Looking back I have to admit that the cruise was a lot of fun and it was very easy to get into a routine of multiple course meals for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea (only once) and dinner along with Gin cocktails in the evening (Negronis are current favourite) followed by a late evening quiz.
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