Hazel comparing Rivera’s docking technique to T42.

As mentioned in the previous blog our boat trip along Lysefjord did not look promising weather wise, BUT halfway along the rain stopped and the cloud lifted to the higher peaks only.

The Captain nosed the ship into tiny bays and along sheer cliff edges. One of them had a few grazing goats that seemed awaiting their hourly apple ration.

Pulpit rock was up in the clouds, but would have offered a scary view overhanging the edge. There was a large waterfall in the distance, so off we go….

By this time I was on the front of the vessel, and got drowned with another visitor when we refused to budge as he nosed us under the waterfall ..So overall a great day!

It’s a long transit from Oslo to Stavanger so we didn’t dock till midday. This involved some skilful piloting to slot in front of another large cruise ship. Unfortunately it’s pouring with rain with low cloud. Not so good for a boat cruise planned for this

this afternoon. We did get out to walk through the old town, very pretty with cobblestone roads and quaint wooden houses. Most of them were decorated with hanging baskets, pots and pocket handkerchief gardens. The city center was equally attractive but most shops seemed closed apart from the cafes. A bit strange considering there are 2 cruise ships in town with a thousand people plus wandering around with money to spend.

The internet is very slow uploading at present, I’ll try and upload some more pictures later on, perhaps the sun will break out over our fjord cruise😎

A wet and grey morning in Oslo did not deter us from walking into town. We did get rather wet though, and soon retreated back to the ship as the shoes got soaked. This afternoon we had a tour themed Oslo’s Maritime History with 3 ship museums.

First up was Kon Tiki, where Thor Heyerdahl and crew sailed a balsa raft from Peru to the Polynesian Islands. Done in the late 40’s it was an early example of experimental archeology, and made a big impression on me as a child. It didn’t disappoint and I greatly enjoyed visiting it again as the museum had been considerably enlarged.

It also housed the papyrus raft RA, numerous artefacts from Easter Island and a well patronised shop. In a building next door was housed the vessel FRAM. Used in numerous Polar expeditions it is best known for the part it played in the first successful expedition to the South Pole. An extremely interesting display where you could board the vessel, as well as view artefacts, informational films, etc.

Our final visit was to the Viking Ship display, which we’d visited when cruising aboard Voyages of Discovery. The overall size coupled with level of carving still impressed. A quick bus back to the ship saw an almost immediate sail away. The sun is out with blue skies now as we sail down Oslo fjord, hopefully it will last to Stavanger tomorrow.

An early start saw us seeing the sights of Gothenburg by 8.30 this morning. Our guide made up for yesterday’s big time. Animated, interesting and good English, what all guides should be! Our tour started around the city docks, then going up the local “mountain”, a smallish hill in most people’s mind. Since Sweden was flattened by the ice age any point of elevation seems to be called a mountain. The fish market was an

oddly shaped Church like building. We then moved onto the botanical gardens, in particular the rock gardens which was reached by a Rhododendron valley. It would be attractive during spring. Most of the colour was in the herbaceous borders. A final

stop at the local church, with its characteristic wooden inverted hull type roof was complemented with good views. On return to the ship we walked to the Volvo museum. An excellent array of vehicles beautifully arranged in a newish building. A couple of their ideas could be incorporated into the new one at Launceston. Overall a great day, hopefully tomorrow is equally good with us visiting Kon Tiki and Ra

A Volvo P1800, as used in the the TV series “The Saint”.

A grey day, with a little rain, saw a late start to the City of Roskilde, an hours drive from where we are moored in the center of Copenhagen. Unfortunately our guide was not the most dynamic personality, and the tour had been poorly arranged. First up was the Viking museum where 5 boats, that had been sunk in the entrance to a Fjord, have been preserved. All 5 have also been copied and built in a traditional manner in a shipyard next door. One could talk to the builders, who were still building a replica.

Time was limited here so we had to forgo the educational film, tea rooms and replica boats that you were allowed on. Instead we drove a short distance to Roskilde Cathedral. It is the burial place for the Danish Monarchs, with their crypts containing elaborate coffins ! The Church has been rebuilt and added on numerous times, it was interesting but we spent way to much time there…..everybody wanted to go back to the ships but the guide said it wasn’t possible……why not we said, because we must go back now…..a small mutiny averted by the promise of an additional stop….which turned out as a drop off in center of town as well as the ship. At least we’ve got something to write about in our mid cruise comments feedback.

Gothenburg, Sweden tomorrow, let’s hope the tour is better.

We had a great sail away from Amsterdam last night. From inspiring modern architecture to various ships going past it’s a fascinating place.

A day at Sea means lectures and dining, and we seem to be doing plenty of both! I’ll have a few laps around the decks later on as the weather is very mild and the ship has a number of fitness tracks. Tonight we dine in one of the four speciality restaurants on board, Toscana, after the Captains champagne party of course!

Peering out from the cabin curtains this morning saw us motoring down a long canal to Amsterdam. Docking was accomplished whilst having Brekky and involved some skilful manoeuvring. Our tour today started out at the Hermitage Museum, a satellite museum of the one in St Petersberg we visited a number of years ago. Sadly one wing was closed, the cafe was closed, and the feature film about the 6 Rembrandt’s they have on display was in Dutch. So not a brilliant start, though I loved the giant tiger!

Afterwards got better, with a great cruise along the canals. An extensive variety from private dwellings along tiny tree lined ones, to the large rivers fronted by modern museums. Some of the old houses were leaning on their neighbours as their foundations gradually give way.

Of course there was a large variety of boats, from elegant Dutch barges to floating houseboats in various states of disrepair.

The many intersections and bridges produced wonderful perspectives, but were hard to catch in a moving boat behind glass. Overall an interesting place, especially for boaties! Tomorrow we have a day at sea, so I’ll blog about the ship internet permitting.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

    That mark our place; and in the sky

    The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

        In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

    The torch; be yours to hold it high.

    If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

        In Flanders fields.

Then a visit to the Menin Gate and the excellent In Flanders Field Museum. This gave a personal, and deeply moving account, of people caught up in the war and it’s dreadful effects. Feeling quite somber we exited to explore further and sample some excellent Belgian Waffles. We were strong and resisted the chocolates….

So after a nice limo ride to Southampton, not so nice for the Chauffeur who accidentally hit a bollard, we are aboard Riviera. After a mandatory lifeboat drill we aim to explore and relax for the next fortnight. Hopefully the blog will give you a taste!

Our stateroom is very comfy, and has been updated with new carpet, the only thing we could fault last year. Our favourite place to hang out, Barrista’s, has also been updated. Great to have Italians serving coffee onboard ! Tomorrow we will be in Bruges, see you then. Cheers Tasotter.

Southampton Water from our balcony.

It’s officially a scorcher !

It’s definitely hot, we are shady tree hopping our way back to Pyrford. Walsham Gates had a perfect spot for morning tea, which turned into lunch then afternoon tea !

We made it as far as the pub opposite our Marina entrance. Since there is shade here and not in the Marina, nothing to do with cold cider, we will stop here tonight. Tomorrow will be a quick clean job after mooring and then a limo ride to Rivera at Southampton.