PART 1
26-27 Jun
Liverpool
We overnighted in hotel in Hatten Garden and managed a bit of jet-lagged sightseeing in terriic warm and sunny conditions.
Monument in homage to ships cat. This played a big role in Liverpool's maritime history as rat catcher.
View over Royal Albert Dock. Now a major tourist venue.
Alison catches up with the fab four. We visited a few museums including the Beatles.
We boarded our cruise ship the Black Watch enroute to northern Norway and the Faroe Islands. We enjoyed a drink or two and dinner watching the Mersey Estuary disappear and saw distant views of the Isle of Man, Northern Island and Scotland. We had a few days at sea before arrival in Norway. This was ideal for us in our jet-lagged state.
30 Jun
We arrived in the arctic and enjoyed some beautiful views of the Norwegian coastline. 24 hour daylight, mostly sunny.
Whales were frequently spotted by the quick and alert and eagle-eyed. That is to say not often by me!
Sun 1 Jul
Our first landfall was at Leknes in the Lofoten Islands. These islands are connected to the mainland by bridges. This was our first chance to go hiking with our Ramblers walking group. Up until now we had had to content ourselves with the promenade deck for which 6 circuits equalled 1 mile. Walking around the bow was often fun as we were head on into strong winds.
Back on board. We went into a narrow fiord with enough room at end to turn around.
Not quite midnight. This is as late as I could stay up. It is however sunny and I am assured it shone all night.
2 Jul
Tromso. A morning hike. We walked across bridge and took cable car to do a bit of walking on hill overlooking harbour. Lunch near cathedral with time for a look around town in afternoon.
3 Jul
Arrived 6 am at Honningsvåg. This is as far north as we are going on the mainland. Some passengers went on a trip to the North Cape. We went with our group for a day's hike.
Fog rolled in and caused a slight re-routing.
Moss Campion, aka Arctic Compass. Flowers first on the side facing south.
Plants grow like topsy with full 24 hour daylight.
"Bamse", a St Bernard that became the mascot of the Free Norwegian forces during WWII. Revered here in downtown Honningsvåg.
Interesting views around the cape.
We had freedom to move around amongst the 3 tables assigned to our walking group at dinner time.
4 Jul At sea on way to Spitsbergen.
5 Jul
Pyramiden, Spitsbergen. We have come a long way to see this sad looking ghost town. A former Russian coal mining town. Replete with very soviet looking housing blocks; Male - aka "London" and Female ak "Paris" green plaza down middle known as the "Champs Elysee" by the workers. Yes the russians do have a sense of humour. They had a big gym with statue of Lennon. Mining ceased in 1998 after 20 years of losses.
Kittiwakes have made a home in the window ledges of Paris.
In the middle of the Champs Elysee.
We were obliged to have a local armed guide for our tour of Pyramiden to protect us against polar bears.
Moss Campion, aka Arctic Compass. Flowers appear first on the side facing south.
Our hike today was not terribly exciting but we were keen to keep our feet dry in the cold conditions.
Some dramatic views as we left Pyramiden on way to Longyearbyen.
6 Jul
Longyearbyen. We had a choice of two hikes today. A high one and a low one accompanied by a husky. Alison chose the husky.
No, I don't think kangaroos would survive the winters here.
A sundial that works at night time. If there is no cloud that is.
Cruise companies go out of their way to keep passengers amused. This "bus" is being towed by a team of huskies.
View over the town.
We got a birds ey view of Klaksvik
Amazing to see a perfect orchid in such a cool area.
We got transport to Kirkjubour a heritage village to start our walk. The fog rolled in so views up above were hidden from sight.
This home has been in 5 generations of Faroese.
Even the kennel is heritage.
Liverpool
We overnighted in hotel in Hatten Garden and managed a bit of jet-lagged sightseeing in terriic warm and sunny conditions.
Alison catches up with the fab four. We visited a few museums including the Beatles.
We boarded our cruise ship the Black Watch enroute to northern Norway and the Faroe Islands. We enjoyed a drink or two and dinner watching the Mersey Estuary disappear and saw distant views of the Isle of Man, Northern Island and Scotland. We had a few days at sea before arrival in Norway. This was ideal for us in our jet-lagged state.
30 Jun
We arrived in the arctic and enjoyed some beautiful views of the Norwegian coastline. 24 hour daylight, mostly sunny.
Whales were frequently spotted by the quick and alert and eagle-eyed. That is to say not often by me!
Sun 1 Jul
Our first landfall was at Leknes in the Lofoten Islands. These islands are connected to the mainland by bridges. This was our first chance to go hiking with our Ramblers walking group. Up until now we had had to content ourselves with the promenade deck for which 6 circuits equalled 1 mile. Walking around the bow was often fun as we were head on into strong winds.
Back on board. We went into a narrow fiord with enough room at end to turn around.
Not quite midnight. This is as late as I could stay up. It is however sunny and I am assured it shone all night.
Tromso. A morning hike. We walked across bridge and took cable car to do a bit of walking on hill overlooking harbour. Lunch near cathedral with time for a look around town in afternoon.
3 Jul
Arrived 6 am at Honningsvåg. This is as far north as we are going on the mainland. Some passengers went on a trip to the North Cape. We went with our group for a day's hike.
Fog rolled in and caused a slight re-routing.
Moss Campion, aka Arctic Compass. Flowers first on the side facing south.
Plants grow like topsy with full 24 hour daylight.
"Bamse", a St Bernard that became the mascot of the Free Norwegian forces during WWII. Revered here in downtown Honningsvåg.
Interesting views around the cape.
We had freedom to move around amongst the 3 tables assigned to our walking group at dinner time.
4 Jul At sea on way to Spitsbergen.
Pyramiden, Spitsbergen. We have come a long way to see this sad looking ghost town. A former Russian coal mining town. Replete with very soviet looking housing blocks; Male - aka "London" and Female ak "Paris" green plaza down middle known as the "Champs Elysee" by the workers. Yes the russians do have a sense of humour. They had a big gym with statue of Lennon. Mining ceased in 1998 after 20 years of losses.
Kittiwakes have made a home in the window ledges of Paris.
In the middle of the Champs Elysee.
We were obliged to have a local armed guide for our tour of Pyramiden to protect us against polar bears.
Moss Campion, aka Arctic Compass. Flowers appear first on the side facing south.
Some dramatic views as we left Pyramiden on way to Longyearbyen.
Longyearbyen. We had a choice of two hikes today. A high one and a low one accompanied by a husky. Alison chose the husky.
A sundial that works at night time. If there is no cloud that is.
Cruise companies go out of their way to keep passengers amused. This "bus" is being towed by a team of huskies.
The aforesaid husky
This sadly is the only polar bear we get to see.
7 Jul
At sea on way to Faroes. Some very entertaining lectures. Tonight we are dressed in our formal gear. This is one of those things one has to endure with Fred Olsen Cruises. Still it makes a nice photo opportunity for our wonderful walking group (one person missing).
8 Jul
Still at sea on way to Faroes. A couple more good lectures filled in the time.
9 Jul
Klaksvik, Faroe Islands. Another walking opportunity.
We got a birds ey view of Klaksvik
Amazing to see a perfect orchid in such a cool area.
More views from the ship.
10 Jul
We relocated overnitht to Tórshavn, Faroes. Another hike.
This home has been in 5 generations of Faroese.
From hereon it got foggier. It was a very pleasant walk back to Klaksvik nevertheless. A few locals passed us early on.
END OF PART 1
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