Sunday July 8, 2007

14-Bergen 3Had a day off today. When we motored into Bergen Harbour (at breakfast time) it was raining – and it’s been raining ever since. Steady, foggy, misty rain. Pretty common in this part of Norway, apparently, where it rains 200 days a year.

But a day off is actually okay. This is a busy cruise, and we’ve hardly wasted a minute. So the chance to blob out onboard and recharge our batteries is quite nice. And, of course, there’s still plenty of eating to do in Marco Polo’s ‘Seven Seas’ restaurant (or at ‘Raffles’ buffet).

14-Bergen 1We went ashore for a few hours this morning, all decked out in raincoats and brollies. Visited Troldhaugen, the home of Edvard Grieg (Norway’s beloved composer) set beside peaceful Nordnes Lake. Then we trooped through the drizzle to the ancient Bryggen quarter of Bergen (designated a World Heritage site)where (in better weather) one can wander the narrow lanes, oggle the colourful shopfronts and savour the atmosphere of ages past.

14-Bergen 2Bergen’s a biggish city, founded in 1070 by King Olav the Peace Loving. (Doncha love their names?) This one-time Viking seaport was built around a large natural harbour – and through the mist we can see handsome warehouses lining the foreshore and tidy little wooden houses dotting the hillsides.

PEOPLE NEWS: Another mad award was won this morning:

* The ‘TMI (Too Much Information) Award’ to Bev R – for informing us all at dinner last night that “I’ve taken to hiding my nightie in my drawer …” (although, once again, you had to be there).

TOMORROW: The sardine capital of the world and a taste of Norwegian waffles. So stay tuned …

Yours bloggedly – JOHN