The day started off fair though as usual, by the time we rolled out of bed, the ship had already docked. Apart from Oslo, we haven’t been to Norway before, so each port is a new experience for us.
The ship berthed on the Port side, bow almost in the town.
The small single decker Ho-Ho buses were dockside and it is only a 45 minute round trip.
As we were almost in the town square, walking is one of the easiest ways to get around almost anywhere.
No passports or ID required. Just a walk off.
Typical. Just when I’d decided I’d only have a little ham and cheese and no cooked breakfast items, the plate was warm… A really nice American couple from Los Angeles joined us and he was formerly marketing parts manager for Nissan. Once again, so nice to chat to complete strangers.
We knew from the ship’s usual poor map, that Stavanger wasn’t very large but as the HoHo bus was within a few metres of the gates and it was a bright day, we decide to ride. These small single decker’s were windowless but did have a canopy and seemed to be running about every 10 minutes, as on our total circuit, we must have seen at least 4 or 5 others. Credit card cost was a total of 520NOK.
Apart from a little graffiti, this was a stunningly clean and pleasant town. The HoHo does a short loop around the harbour, then heads out of town, but not far. There is a lot of infrastructure work going on, particularly the roading and at one point, we were on the E39 towards Bergen. At the moment, I must confess that I haven’t studied the maps of Norway at all. The bus took us out past very pleasant forests and parklands and almost immediately, back into town again. Lots of modern buildings, but none were too high and most were apartment blocks with several more being built. This HoHo route includes several museums and galleries and passes through older and newer properties, but the overall impression was of prosperity and pride.
Once we’d done the round, we walked the few yards into town, into the narrow cobbled car free streets. A comfort stop at McDonalds, so a free pic for them.
A great range of shops, large and small and Paula added to her shoe collection. The lady who served her was married to a kiwi. I think she has added 4 pairs – so far. Two pairs of sandals, 1 pair of boots and a pair of dance shoes. I have only added paperback books and chocolate.
The prices generally weren’t as bad as we’d expected, though a filled roll and a Danish was a bit pricey, from a bakery. Pity we didn’t call in at the 711, as their food looked OK and was a lot cheaper. I’m not sure whether or not our Kroner supplies will last, especially as we are doing our own thing in several ports. The fish market wasn’t quite what I expected, with just one fishmonger and an adjoining café.
It started to hint of rain and got a lot cooler, so we wandered back on board, for a warming soup (and not much else, other that the roll I’d bought was a bit dry, so I added butter and a few bits from the buffet. I’m determined to eat a bit less for a day or two.
We loved this place and were more than happy just wandering around. We certainly didn’t need to do a Princess tour.
We joined 4 English people for trivia and met a fellow traditional jazz fan. No, of course we didn’t win.
Paula was suffering from dance withdrawal symptoms so we had a rumba, a waltz and a cha-cha before dinner. As always, one flash couple on the floor… I did smile when they struggled with the Viennese waltz, but there again, that is one dance I have never got to grips with – yet. One day.
Our table for six was only set for 4 – and then two ‘new’ people were allocated. Ben and Sally had asked for a table of 8 but were the only two appearing at their own table, so they’d asked for a move. Originally from Buckinghamshire, then around the Hayes/Bedfont area, where Sally taught at Longford, where I seem to remember a young lady of my acquaintance back in 1968 was schooled. They’ve retired to Sleaford in Lincolnshire, where an older lady of my acquaintance lived for a while - Stewart’s other grandmother.
A pleasant enough meal then on to the theatre for a performer we’d seen before, Peter Howarth, singer and guitarist, from the Hollies since about 2004. A very professional act with a mix of Hollies, Roy Orbison and Cliff Richard, who he has toured with, as part of Cliff’s band. I’m giving him an 8.5 as I really enjoyed his guitar playing.
No rush tomorrow, as we aren’t meeting until fairly late, for the Flaam Railway tour. We’d spoken to others who tried to book the train privately, but no luck, so perhaps as well we did book the expensive Princess tour two months in advance, as all sessions were booked out. Paula opted to not book the early train with the logic that it may be misty first thing, so we are booked on the 11:05am train from Flaam, the 3rd of three options. Seems expensive at $149 (each) though. The first train is at 7:30am, and with a ship arrival time of 7:00am, that seems to be a bit tight, even though the station is next to the dock.
The sail in is pretty long but sunrise is 3:43am… What is that old saying about getting up at daybreak? Whatever it is, we are ignoring it, but at least the curtains are thick.
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