Alesund

We awoke to a view of beautiful pastel-coloured art nouveau buildings, a small port area and a lot of rain.

A large part of Alesund was destroyed by fire in 1904, and was then rebuilt in a consistent and very attractive style, with the added benefit of sanitation. The town centre is pedestrian-friendly, if cobblestoned, with an irregular street pattern that lends even more interest to it.

We made our way to Storhaugen, a viewpoint to the west of town looking down on the old harbour area, then clambered down an overgrown trail to the waterfront, with a breakwater and a small lighthouse which now serves as the honeymoon suite for a local hotel.

Then it was time for some more ten dollar coffees - heaven only know what we’ll do when we have to start paying for food and alcohol on shore as well - before walking a few more blocks and making our way back to the ship. The rain had, of course, finished by the time we were heading back.

Our departure was at five o’clock, by which time the wind had strengthened and it was not pleasant out on deck.

As soon as we left the coast we turned north-west toward Iceland, a day and a half’s sailing away. The swell wasn’t very big, but with the strong winds buffeting the twelve storeys of Prima that are above the water there was quite a bit of lurching about going on, both by the ship and the passengers, even some of the sober ones.

It was too much for Sharon, who sensibly turned in early, and through the night the weather improved so that our sea day was much more gentle.Read more