Ferrying Up (and Down) The Fjord

STAVANGER.

Rosie's birthday today and one certainly to remember. We join the Lysefjorden cruise at 9:15. As foot passengers, we're amongst the first on board. It really is a working ship, we have to help ourselves to plastic chairs to sit on. 2 older couple sit alongside us, they start eating as soon as they sit down. One of the guys tries to open a large bottle of cola and it explodes everywhere. He tells us that his grandson is the second captain and is rightly proud. The grandfather offers us coffee (refused), water and cake (both accepted).

2.5 hours out flies by. Rosie spots a seal basking on a rock. We also see goats up the side of a mountain and stunning rock formations.

On the way back, we chat to couple originally from Liverpool but now living in Bedford. They've fallen in love with Norway and went on a trip to the northern most town in the world the winter before last. If they left the outskirts of the town, they needed a gun for the polar bears. Naturally, they didn't leave town!

We attempt to leave the boat at the penultimate stop believing it to be the final one. Fortunately, we realise our mistake in time and jump back on. Heaven only knows when the next boat was due.

The thermometer in the van shows 35 degrees when we return. Drive on to Stavanger where we stop at a hotel opposite the parkrun site. The tour guide gave us the details on Wednesday evening. For NOK 395, about £35, we can park, swim, do our laundry, use electricity and water, and use the buffet breakfast in the morning. The only downside is that an ordinary bottle of wine costs the same.