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Jo GillmanJo Gillman
SatellitRediger rute
har rejst i 8 lande Læs mere Otterbourne, United Kingdom
  • RejsendeNorway Voyage
    Dag 4

    Crossing the Arctic Circle

    22. marts, Norge ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    We crossed the Arctic Circle at just after 8am this morning. There is a metal globe on an island in the sea marking the position of this. However, apparently the Arctic Circle moves 15 metres north each year - all due to the pull of the moon.
    The scenery is wild and more spectacular, with more snow on the mountains. We're at sea heading for the port of Bodø with a short 10 min stop at Ørnes en route.
    Karen and I joined in with the crowd for the crossing the circle ceremony on deck at 10.30am - ice cubes poured down our backs and we were given a shot of grapefruit, ginger and chilli. Freezing cold but great fun!
    The approach to Bodø was beautiful, hugging the coast with views of the fiords, passing by little islands, some with houses down to the shore.
    On arrival at Bodø, the rain put us off going ashore so we remained on board for a relaxing afternoon, reading,
    catching up on the blog, and I've even attempted a bit of sketching. Again the A&S had a couple of beers while K&J tried another cocktail.
    Later Karen and I went to an interesting film about the Northern Lights, telling us the many ancient beliefs about their meaning and also the real science behind how the lights are created.
    Another Barbu card game - by some miracle I managed to win this time, thanks to a bit of coaching!
    Excellent dinner with a few changes to the menu for this next leg of the trip. Tomorrow we're off on an excursion at Tromsø - it will involve snowshoes!!    Læs mere

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  • RejsendeNorway Voyage
    Dag 3

    Trondheim

    21. marts, Norge ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    We woke this morning to bright sunshine as we approached our next port, Trondheim, where we had time before lunch to explore the main historic sites. First stop on our walk was Stiftsgården, a large wooden building home to King Harald V and his wife Queen Sonja when they visit the city.
    Next we came to a square where a statue of Trondheim's founder, the Viking king Olav Tryggvason, stands on an 18m high obelisk.
    Nidaros Cathedral was our next stop for a photo. We didn't have time for a tour, instead we carried on across the old town bridge, Bybro, nicknamed Lykkens Portal (Gate of Happiness) and the neighbourhood Bakklandet, which is full of colourful wooden houses and cafés.
    At the port is a statue of Leiv Eiriksson, famous for being the first European to land in North America in the year 1000, before Columbus made it. He set off from Trondheim to Iceland but was blown off course, landing in Newfoundland, naming it Vinland
    Back in time for lunch as the ship departed for our next stop tomorrow.
    After a post-lunch g&t in our cabin, we tried to stay awake during a rather eccentric, haphazard presentation about the history of Norway taking us from the Ice Age, the Vikings etc to present day, all in about 40 mins!
    The landscape is becoming more interesting now as we travel north. We passed a unique lighthouse situated on a rock, occupied by the lighthouse keeper and his family, plus a teacher for their children as they are unable to travel to school from there.
    We then played Phase 10 card game over a beer (A&S) and cocktail (K&J) - have you spotted a theme here? Syd won this game in spite of our efforts to play the Skip card against him.
    The ship by now was passing through an interesting landscape of small islands off the main coast with narrow channels to navigate. Taking photos from the deck was tricky in the cold strong wind.
    Tomorrow morning we will be crossing into the Arctic Circle and on to our next port, Bodø.    Læs mere

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  • RejsendeNorway Voyage
    Dag 2

    Alesund

    20. marts, Norge ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    This morning we disembarked to explore the very attractive town of Alesund. We braved the steep climb up to an observation point to enjoy the panoramic views, over 400 steps and steep paths each way. I didn't make it quite to the top (thought I was about to expire!), but Syd, Karen & Alan did - coming down was much easier.
    Back to the ship for a pre-lunch g&t to recover, then a very enjoyable lunch.
    Lazy afternoon, attended a presentation about the various excusions on offer, then the four of us enjoyed a game of Barbu, a card game consisting of 20 rounds, Alan was the overall winner.
    Dinner tonight was excellent again.    Læs mere

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  • RejsendeNorway Voyage
    Dag 1

    Bergen

    19. marts, Norge ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    Our 11am flight from Gatwick to Bergen with our friends Alan and Karen went very smoothly.
    We then took the Flybussen bus from the airport to the port via the city centre.
    On arrival at the Terminal, we joined a long queue to check in for our ship, the Havila Pollux. Check-in should have started at 3 pm, but there was a technical problem with the ship resulting in a 3hr delay.
    Having checked in at last, we then joined another queue to make our obligatory table reservation for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This was a slow, tedious process, meaning we didn't get on board until about 7pm. By then we were all tired, hungry and fed up, only to find there was yet another long queue for the restaurant!
    However we managed to get a snack from the cafeteria to keep us going and a relaxing drink at the bar. We finally sat down for dinner late in the evening.
    We hope the rest of the trip involves far less queueing!
    On a positive note, the ship is impressive and our cabin is very comfortable.    Læs mere

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  • RejsendeParknasilla, Ireland
    Dag 7–8

    Rosslare to Pembroke to home

    6. oktober 2023, Irland ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    After a 5hr drive from Parknasilla, we made a stop at Wexford before heading off to the ferry at Rosslare. We parked by the Quay for a walk, nothing much of interest there, but it looks as if there are some regeneration projects on the go, it certainly needs it.
    The ferry should have departed at 8.45pm but again it was delayed, so we had a long wait before boarding at about 10.15pm. Only a very few passengers, mainly freight, very quiet and thankfully calm crossing.
    Syd managed to get a little sleep for the long drive home in the early hours, finally arriving at about 6.30am to unload the car and get some much needed sleep!
    Ireland was wonderful but it is good to be home, especially on a lovely sunny day.    Læs mere

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  • RejsendeParknasilla, Ireland
    Dag 6–8

    Brushwood Studios

    5. oktober 2023, Irland ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    A dramatic change in the weather today - wet and very windy.
    Each time we come to Parknasilla, we visit the nearby Brushwood Studios art gallery, reached via a long single track through the woods.
    The gallery is owned by the Muller family who moved here from South Africa in the 1970's. Theirs is a fascinating history, worth reading on their website brushwoodstudios.com. Each member of the family is a talented artist.
    We were met by Etienne Muller, a writer and skilled woodworker who builds sea kayaks and who, during the Covid pandemic, built himself a beautiful wooden sailing boat which he showed us in his workshop.
    Our favourite artist is Jo-Anne Yelen, his sister, and we have various prints of hers around our house. We love her style and use of bold colours - of course we had to buy another one!
    Too stormy to go exploring today so back to the hotel to relax over coffee/beer.
    Jo later ventured out, braving the weather for a short walk but soon returned as the rain started up again - very exhilarating in the wind but not in the rain!
    Today is our last full day at Parknasilla. We've had a brilliant week, reminding us why we love this stunning area so much. This is our 4th visit to the hotel and it has undergone many changes since our last stay about 12 years ago, moving with the times to attract a wider clientele and survive post-Covid. It is still a very special place however and no doubt we'll be back again one day.    Læs mere

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  • RejsendeParknasilla, Ireland
    Dag 5

    Derrynane Bay & Abbey Island

    4. oktober 2023, Irland ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    Woke to a very blustery morning view from our room, but it soon turned out to be another bright sunny day.
    So we headed west on the Ring of Kerry via Sneem then through some gorgeous scenery through the Coomakesta Pass and a detour down narrow lanes to Derrynane Bay, the place recommended by the friendly shopkeeper in the Green Chair gift shop yesterday.
    It certainly is a stunning bay and a wonderful place for a walk - beautiful clean white sand, clear rock pools between huge rocks and views out to remote islands in the distance.
    At one end is Abbey Island with its ruined 10th century abbey and graveyard which is still in use although only accessible at low tide.    Læs mere

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  • RejsendeParknasilla, Ireland
    Dag 4

    Inch Strand & Ballaghbeama Gap

    3. oktober 2023, Irland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Drove to Inch Strand on the Dingle Peninsular, via Moll's Gap stopping at Ladies View to admire the stunning scenery, then passing through busy Killarney.
    We had a rather bracing walk along part of this beautiful beach at Inch Strand which stretches about 4 miles along a spit of sand dunes. It looked stunning in the sunshine with the waves crashing in.
    We took a different route back along the Ring of Kerry taking a detour through the awesome Ballaghbeama Gap, not a drive for the faint hearted - a narrow, twisting, rock strewn imposing mountain pass with just a few sheep for company. Towards the end we were rewarded with a stunning rainbow.
    We stopped at the little village of Sneem and popped into an Alladin's cave of a gift shop run by a genial elderly local man who gave us a recommendation of where we should visit next - his strong Kerry accent was difficult to follow but we got the gist of it!
    Ended a fabulous day with another superb meal at the hotel.    Læs mere

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  • RejsendeParknasilla, Ireland
    Dag 3

    Kenmare

    2. oktober 2023, Irland ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    After a leisurely breakfast we drove to Kenmare, the nearest town about 25 mins away. We love this pretty old fashioned town with its quirky independent shops and cafes, and of course plenty of pubs!
    We bought some very nice items in the Annabell Langrish Gallery, so many gorgeous ceramics and prints to choose from.
    Back to Parknasilla to follow the Heron Walk, one of the estate's many walking trails. Previous storm damage meant that a couple of bridges to the islands were closed but we managed to spot a heron along the way and enjoyed the peace and quiet and lovely views.
    Such a beautiful sunny late afternoon that we sat and enjoyed a beer and glass of Sauvignon on the terrace.    Læs mere

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  • RejsendeParknasilla, Ireland
    Dag 2

    Kinsale

    1. oktober 2023, Irland ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Long drive to Parknasilla today, stopping off at Kinsale en route. Thankfully a calm dry day after the bad weather yesterday.
    Enjoyed a drink & cake at the Lemon & Leaf cafe and a wander around the town and quayside.
    Finally arrived at Parknasilla at about 4 pm, a lovely sunny afternoon.
    Our room is the Manor Suite (room 315) on the 3rd floor, huge room with amazing views.
    Quite a few changes since we were last here but much of it remains as we remembered it.
    Enjoyed a pre-dinner walk by the water before changing for dinner in the Pygmalion fine dining restaurant with gorgeous sea views.    Læs mere

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