Devall Travels

Flickr Album

Flickr Album

Home. After the entertainment on Friday night we went to bed, forgoing the midnight feast in the deck 15 buffet. It was around 11pm UK time when when we stood looking out of the cabin windows to see us slipping past Dover harbour.  We weren't that far out and a ferry out of Dover slid across behind us en route to Calais or Dunkerque, When we woke at around 5.10am and had a look out we were on the way probably past Portsmouth.  Later on we were alongside in Southampton.   Not a great view! We had to be checked out of the cabin at 8am and in the muster station for disembarkation at 8.45am. We were breakfasted well in time for the cabin clearance.  Our luggage had been collected the night before. We'd assembled and within minutes we were taken down to deck 6 and off to the terminal, All very quick. We located our luggage and were outside in good time.  Collecting the car was simple too.  The TomTom estimated we'd be home my 10.28am.  Some two and a b...

Just a few pix... posted from Bloggeroid

Just a few pix... posted from Bloggeroid

Join the queue When we were here way back in 2013 the ship moored a coach ride out from the city centre. Luckily this time we are right on the end of the Bryggen block.  Where we had hoped to land last time has Fred Olsen's Braemar on the berth this time. We set off a out 9.45am just before the lifts went off for testing and maintenance.  Our first stop was the Fløibanen. The queue was pretty long and one of the attendants put out a sign to split ticket holders (us) and those that didn't. Having two shorter queues seemed a good idea. We waited about 15 minutes and got loaded on.  I took a video of it coming into the lower station. I might update with that when we get a connection greater than 2G!! Once at the top we checked out the view. It was quite muggy at sea level but cold at the top. We had a mooch about and retired for a coffee and 🍰 when it began to pee down.  The wind was strong from the north east and blew it away and the run came out. By the time we joine...

Arrived about 7am. We had a short lie in to let the rushers get up to the breakfast buffet and bugger off and leave it easier to munch. Off out now. More later.

Deck 10. From our cabin looking forward. Still about a third of the ship behind us. It's massive.

Deck 10. From our cabin looking forward. Still about a third of the ship behind us. It's massive.

The monument outside the town hall to the heroes that worked tirelessly during WW2 to hamper the German occupation of neutral Norway. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_heavy_water_sabotage

After breakfast left the ship and have come across to look at the Ålesund Museum. It's a short walk if you see the signs but longer if you trust the map. Nice little museum. Now across the street in a cafe with a coffee where there is WiFi. posted from Bloggeroid

After the sailaway we sat on the balcony and watched the Innvikfjorden sliding past we went to dinner.  Each evening dinner gets better. Tonight was very good. All courses. And we were finished in good time for the 10.30pm show. Tonight's entertainment in the main theatre was all round entertainer Mark Walker and as billed, he was very good.  Tomorrow, when typing,  is Ålesund.We are due to arrive around 8am. We have until 4.30pm to look around. There are a couple of places we want to see here.

Soon after the ship was secured for sea the pub alongside the jetty began to play Rod Stewart's "Sailing".  This tune grew in popularity in UK after it was used by TV as the theme tune to a documentary series about the aircraft carrier "Ark Royal". At the moment there is not enough bandwidth or even a phone signal to upload my video to FB or YouTube. An hour later we are making our way westwards along the Innvikfjorden heading to the Nordfjord and the sea.  We are sitting on our balcony as we slide between the high sides of the fjord. Both sides heavily wooded with open patches with small groups of houses. Tonight we have decided to have a later dinner.  The entertainment on Monday was very good and we just made it. The group were called "Beautiful World" and were a tribute to Take That. Last night we just made it to the Malabar to watch the reggae group "Accent" perform covers from Bob Marley and others. If anyone with a working internet can...

In Olden today. Some people went on the excursion buses but as we have been before we decided to have leisurely walk from the ship to the town itself. Have an ice cream and nip in the Coop for some chocolate bars. I took a few photos of the fjord and then on the way back we came across a viking from the other ship! Claire with a "Viking" Azura on the right

It's early morning and we have started up the fjord to Olden. By daylight we were deep in. There's still snow on some of the mountains.

Everyone had to be back onboard no later than 4.30pm. By 4.45pm we had slipped our mooring and were heading off down the fjord towards the open sea.  Our next destination is Olden.

At sea.  Lunch was quite unremarkable.  Met some interesting people however at the table again.  Went for a walk round the promenade and by this time the weather was changing.  There were a few white horses appearing on the sea and the sun was quite hazy. We decided to try the afternoon tea today and once again it was Ok.  Met some more nice people who livened up the conversation again! Tonight was the dressing up for dinner event.  We had our invitation to the captain's drinks. Disappointingly we spent the whole hour waiting to have our photos taken ...not sure if we will want copies!  Once more in the queue we got chatting to another couple.  Exchanging views on various cruises is both interesting and helpful. As we wanted to see the "Take That" sort of tribute band performing at 8.45 we had to rush off to dinner.  The restaurants are always busy and we had a lovely table by a window.  Another interesting set of dinner companions! A co...

Stavanger. Arrived about 7am. Looked out to a murky damp day. Went back to bed. Breakfast was quite leisurely and then we got ready. Lashing down as we left. Neighbours towed in Azura's arse end.... Headed for Starbucks to use wi-fi. Onboard normal telecoms very poor sub 3G.  Now off to sightsee as it has eased off. In the end I had forgotten a cap and so ended up buying one from one of the market stalls. McBog? One of the natives...?

We rushed to get ready and managed to miss most of the Captain's address and meet'n'greet as we queued for our photo that we most likely won't buy. Then hurried to dinner in the Meridian as Peninsular had a queue miles long. Dinner okay but took ages. Claire wanted to see the Take That Tribute "Beautiful World". Sad to say I also know all the songs. I put the blame on younger cousins Kate and Caroline. Then it was bed time Tomorrow Stavanger 

I have gone over the paperwork so many times it has left copy marks on my retina! My last job was ordering some Norwegian currency from Thomas Cook. I did it online and arranged to collect the cash today. Only £60's worth. There wasn't much choice as all the other companies had very high minimums. My usual source, the Post Office, the minimum was £400! Norge dosh As we are on a cruise with pretty much all-inclusive food and drink I didn't want too much cash. We have plenty of cards to use if we buy anything. We have stops in Stavanger, Olden and Alesund and so we might need a few krone in the pockets in case of a coffee or maybe a postcard. Do people still send postcards? We have been to Stavanger and Olden before so we can be a little more relaxed and choose where we want to go rather than going at it like tourist bees.  . Alesund is new territory. I have a Rough Guide to Norway booklet I bought a while back to look at and also there will be Trip...