We travelled overnight to Egersund and docked in what is described as one of the best natural harbours in Norway. The guidebooks say it is a most picturesque town along the western coastline but in the early morning gloom that is hard to appreciate. As we stepped off the ship we were immediately aware of …
At 08:30 and at 61N 4E it was another dull morning. The sunrise is getting later as we proceed southwards but the weather improved during the morning. We saw one ship as we approached Bergen. It is not the first time that we have visited the city. Today we are visiting a viewpoint that we …
It was a gloomy start today as we made progress towards Kristiansund which is another large cod fishing and processing town but, with ship repairs and service industries as well as servicing the North Sea oil fields, it is an important hub for workers and tourists. A large amount of the world’s ‘klipfisk’, salted cod, …
We docked in Træna, Norway’s oldest fishing village and 30 or so miles from the mainland, at 08:00. Our first view of the island was disappointing as it was a warehouse and pallets stacked 30 high. After breakfast we needed to explore what this settlement of only 450 inhabitants that has been here since the …
Overnight we retraced our route through the many islands and by passing Tromsø to the Lofoten Islands. The light of the morning sun was spectacular as we were en route to the port of Svolvaer. Prior to docking we turned off the Raftsund Straight near the island of Austvagoy to enter the Trollfjord which narrows …
At 06:40, after travelling southeast from Bear Island, we passed beneath the cliffs known as the North Cape at 71.10N and at sea level, the village of Knivskjelodden, which is the actual most northerly point of Europe. But, if and when giant cruise ships arrive, this small place would not cope. Following an early breakfast, …
Upon our arrival at Bear Island at 07:45 we were awakened by the opening of the landing stage doors on Deck 3. We were at 74N 19E. However, the dense fog and the sizeable swell was beyond the limits of any landing operation. So, this was abandoned, and we were on our way southeastwards to …
At 77N and 15E we awoke in Horn Sound and the former settlement of Burgerbukta claimed by travellers as one of the most spectacular scenic areas of the west coast of the archipelago. We arrive on a flat sea and surrounded by fog which by the end of breakfast was lifting. From the cabin in …
At 07:35 we were awakened by the stern thrusters putting the ship in position for landings. We were in Bell Sound 77N 14E with a view of Damesmorenen which is the terminal moraine of the glacier. Geologists suggest that this is one of the few moraines that dates from the period between the end of …
We entered the Isfjorden, 78N 13E, at 08:27 with snow down the slopes of the mountains to just short of sea level. Svalbard (Spitsbergen) is one of Europe’s last wilderness areas (about the size of Scotland) and is the home to more polar bears than people. It is also as close as one can get …