The scenery we saw

Norway was stunning. The fjords are so vast and dramatic, it is impossible to do justice to them in photographs. You feel so small when you are sailing beside these vast mountains soaring from the water, the depth of which is too deep to imagine. The weather was not brilliant at times, but the mist and clouds only added to the mystery and drama of the sights. The very top of Norway, at North Cape saw the worst of the weather, cold, rain and high winds. Standing up straight was an effort, and there was a high degree of camera shake. The country is barren and vast, the only animals sighted were deer.The towns and cities we visited were each different in their own way. Tromso is pretty, (with a great Library - more of that at another time), little streets, a lovely harbour, and wonderful views. Bergen lived up to its reputation of a rainy city - 300 days of rain a year on average, but we still got around. The Fenicular railway is amazing, the ride parallels something at Luna Park when descending, but it is worth the tummy lurch. Trondheim is a lovely university city, very hilly in places, and picturesque. Some of the towns, like Flaam had a population explosion, from the normal 200, to over 4000 in a day, which is hard for them, as there were two ships in the day we were there. But it was worth the whole trip for the train ride up the mountain from the town. This population rise is a similar problem the cities have, as in Bergen when we arrived together with the QE2 - the city is swollen with buses and groups of tourists faithfully following a guide with a pole! Woe betide you if you lose the group

The photo on the left is of the wharf area of Trondheim, the sunrise was in Geiranger fjord, picture taken around 5.00am. The bottom one was coming down on the Fenicular railway in Bergen.

The Norwgians are lovely people, tentative on starting a conversation, but a happy to tell you lots if you are interested. They speak very good English. Harry Potter is available in English now, but will not be in Norwegian for months, so they are all reading it in english. Usually, there is another language as well. Makes the traveller feel quite inadequate.

More later

St Swithun's day

Well, it rained on St Swithun's day, so it does not bode very well for the next few weeks. Never mind, there will still be some stunning scenery. The rain is really affecting some retail areas - clothing, except for wet weather gear, festivals and concerts have been rained out, while the booksellers are happy as more books and mags are sold for rainy days. The British booksellers advertise titles much more here - posters all over the tube stations, and other public areas. I guess it has something to do with the huge rail travel, as well as the longer, darker winters, and poor weather. A number of booksellers are opening at a minute after midnight, just after the embargo for Harry Potter No. 7, on Saturday morning. I am not sure if the ship will have any copies, so I may have to try and avoid all reports on the news or papers, until we return, and can get a copy myself. It is huge deal here.
The ship has arrived, so we are off to sea
More later

London and beyond

Saturday in London was cloudy, and humid. Went for a long walk on the Embankment - started out early to avoid the crowds. It is peak holiday season here, so there are crowds everywhere. The trick is to have jet lag and be ready to go around 6.00 am!

The recent problems dont seem to have affected the numbers at all - Londoners are out and about.So this morning, we set out early for Southampton - the trains can get crowded, and it is hard if you have luggage. Southampton is a pretty city - parts of the medieval wall surround parts of the city -they are cleverly incorporated into the rest of the town development. Over half of the original wall is still in- tact, and there are 13 original towers. The history goes back to Roman and Saxon times. It does make our history a little brief.

The weather has turned a little - poured while we were out - I gave a pretty good wet t-shirt impression by the time we got back.

We await our boat - it is in France tonight - sailing back overnight.

I have included a couple of sights from yesterday's wander, even a view of Hungerford Bridge - who said London was crowded?

More later

A crowded day in London

Saturday 14th July 207

School holidays, summer vacations, tourists, locals all making London extremly crowded. We walked around Regent Street, Picadilly Circus, and Covent Garden and Soho, not so much a walk as being carried along by the crowds of people. Still some parts of London were empty - well, empty if you get up early with jet lag still, and go for a walk at 6am!

heading for the North Sea, Norway and the Artic Circle.Postings will resume upon our safe return to England - but we will take notes.

More later ...

Friday 13th July 2007

Not unlucky day at all - a most enjoyable day of train trips throughout Kent and the south of England. Up early to see Trafalgar Square empty (see photo) and then breakfast and caught the 7.55am train to Canterbury down in Kent (this is jet lag kicking in having been awake since 5am!).

Canterbury is really beautiful, such ancient buildings everywhere (and not always perfectly perpendicular and some very low doors for a 6ft 3 husband!) An enjoyable walk through the old city (see photos - including the Canterbury Free Library in a very beautiful old building) then back to the train to Ashford International (and saw some Eurostar trains rush through at a huge speed - we will be on one in a few weeks too!). From Ashford the train to Hastings and along the coast to Brighton - a beautiful old city with row upon row of houses up the steep hills) Many tunnels on the train route to. Kent and the South Downs were looking very lush indeed. A lot of rain and little summer sun, although today was fine where we were. Fast train from Brighton up to London Victoria Station, then tube to Embankment, and thus to our apartment some 7 hours after we left. Who said holidays were for slacking. It is late Friday afternoon, and London stations are overflowing with people leaving for the weekend or holidays - it is an amazing sight. So many people dragging their luggage behind them. We might be alone in London tomorrow, though I somehow doubt it.

More later.

Alive and well in London, England.

It is a great thing to have a Blog when you get to the other side of the world a find that the email access doesnt work!

We had a great trip over and despite all publicity to the contrary we managed to get through Heathow Airport with suitcases and into London by the Heathrow Express within an hour leaving the Thai 747 we had flown in from Bangkok ( a Thai airways 777 from Melbourne). The trip from home to the place we are staying in London took 28 hours. It is lovely to be back in London and already we have walked miles along the Thames Embankment . We will update our adventures as often as possible. Thai airways is the best way to fly!!

The place we chose to stay this time is in the heart of London, a minute from Trafalgar Sqaure and a great bookshop! They (Waterstones) have a great display at the moment entitled: "Books you know you should read". Memo Bayside Library readers Advisors - another list to construct and display to mount.

Weather is warmish and humid, nice to be in light clothes again - no real sun, overcast and more rain on the way - but it is warm rain!

Travellers signing of!