Tag: Hurtigruten

Day 10 – Brønnøysund & Day 11 – Kristiansund

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So I completely forgot to do this yesterday!

Day 10 – We crossed the Arctic Circle again this morning and ‘celebrated’ with a spoon of cod live oil. It was absolutely horrendous and I could taste it all day. I even struggled to eat my tea because I felt to ill. Never again; I’d rather the cold water ceremony over that!! We did get a lovely souvenir spoon; anything for a freebie!

This afternoon we stopped off in Brønnøysund; known as the coastal charm in the middle of Norway. As it was Sunday (and everything closes on a Sunday) it was very quiet but the blue skies and still waters gave us some beautiful reflection photos.

Later that afternoon we sailed past the Torghatten mountain, or the mountain with the hole in the middle! It measures 160 metres (520 ft) long, 35 metres (115 ft) high, and 20 metres (66 ft) wide and was created during the ice ages. It’s pretty amazing when you get lined up properly and see daylight shining through. Luckily we were here during sunset so were treated to some some beautiful pink sky.

Dinner was a celebration of 125 years of Hurtigruten. Unfortunately I think my potato had been fried in cod liver oil and it took everything I had to not vom all over the dinner table 🤢

Day 11 – Our last full day on board. Today has been spent mostly travelling but we were able to have an hour in Trondheim again this morning. I really loved it last time so it was nice to visit again, with a little bit less snow this time. It was also nice to see the hustle and bustle as last time we were here it was a Sunday.

This afternoon we sailed into Kristiansund, also known as ‘the colourful city’. We weren’t able to get off here which is a shame because it looked really pretty. Lots of old and new buildings lined the harbour with plenty of sea birds about.

We’ve managed to get a few games of Scrabble in today. We’ve quite enjoyed our daily ritual of letters, coffee and watching the world go by.

 

Day 9 – Stokmarknes

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This morning we got up early to have a quick look at Harstad from the ship; it looks a beautiful place so gutted we couldn’t get off. Only there enough time to collect the fishy treats for the evening meals 🐠

This afternoon we were treated to gorgeous blue skies and sunshine again, I even had to wear the Oakleys! We stopped at Stokmarknes; the birthplace of Hurtigruten and where you’re able to see the old ship MS Finnmarken. It was a lovely little town full of the traditional red Norwegian buildings.

Later we sailed past the Trollfjord. The last time we were here we were watching Aurora dancing over the mountains so it was lovely to see it in the day as well. It’s a beautiful but narrow stretch of water below jagged peaks and mountain walls. We were lucky enough to be here during sunset this time; so Trollfjord is now always going to be a special place for me.

This evening more memories were made as we saddled up and rode Icelandic horses across a moonlit beach underneath the twinkling stars and Aurora. What an incredible experience it was and one I will never forget.

Aurora has been very well behaved again tonight making it the third time we’ve seen her on the trip.

Day 2 – Ålesund

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I survived my first night at sea! The beauty of being tight and having an inside cabin is there is no light whatsoever so I had a perfect sleep.

This morning we sailed to Ålesund which is (apparently) well known for its Art Nouveau architecture. We took the 418 steps to the Fjellstua viewpoint and although it was an absolute bitch of a climb, we were rewarded with some beautiful views across the city and the mountains.

Back down to ground level and we continued our walk and came across one of probably hundreds of churches we will see of this trip. We decided to check out another viewpoint, however when we got there it was being refurbished… Standard!

Back on board our floating home we were treated to more snow capped mountains as we left port for Molde.

Dinner tonight was of course fish 🐠 however we were able to change at least, so I was treated to a lovely bit of pork 🐷

Currently on our way to Trondheim which is one of the places I’m most looking forward to!

Goodnight… From my fold out bed!

The Norwegian adventure begins… Via the National Trust ⛴

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What do you do when you’re 4 hours early for a flight? Find the local trust and have a mooch. Luckily for us there is one just round the corner from Manchester Airport! Quarry bank site is huge so one we will definitely return to, but probably in the summer as it was a little bit dead and crispy today.

So I’m currently sat in out little cabin, or ‘cell’ as I like to call it on my fold out bed and we’ve not long set sail. Luckily dinner tonight was a buffet so I managed to avoid the array of fishy fish. Tomorrow however is when the set menu starts, therefore operation loose a stone also begins.