Bergen Norway Thursday July 29th.

Happy Tuesday, it was a short night! And I have since learned that we do indeed lose one more hour tonight meaning we'll be an hour ahead of the UK…. As it was a sea day I slept in till 0830h and if truth be told, I could have used another hour or two. Dorothy was long gone doing her mile and a half around the deck.

We listened to a talk on the Danish ports of call, met and mingled for a while, then I slipped away and re

Dorothy did not see the white line or feel the bump as we crossed the Arctic circle, I saw and felt it much more so than when we've crossed the equator ;) Possibly due to the cold temperatures, not forgetting the prevailing winds.

Tonight is the third of 10 formals, I think I'll give the tux a rest and wear a suit. The laundry has a deal on board, where for $20.00 you can stuff a bag with as many articles of clothing. as you can cram into it, Dorothy has it down to a fine art and gives free lessons.

There is not much of a satellite signal so I'll probably send this off tomorrow when we reach Norway. I sent an email copied & pasted and from log on to log off it took 10 minutes. I thought our PC at home was slow, but sea satellite is certainly slower. After our call at Alesund tomorrow, we start visiting larger cities, they'll have internet cafes, where I'm hoping to catch up on our email.

We've really enjoyed being in the North, cold, fog and everything, that and the midnight sun has been quite an experience plus the warmth of the Inuit and Icelandic peoples leaves an indelible feelings etched in our hearts.

Looking back over my notes, I can't believe I've not mentioned the smooth seas, since leaving Boston there's not even been one wobble. This of course may well change when we arrive in the North Sea. We don't mind wobble, it reminds us that we're at the mercy of mother nature and of where we are, far from the hustle and bustle of our daily routines. Our cabin is amid ships and apart from the faint vibration of engines, we have to remind ourselves that we are at sea.

Just back from an excellent dinner, They took on fresh Iceland cod yesterday, I had some broiled and was it ever good. Was going to skip dessert tonight but soufflé grand marnier was on again and I lacked the will to pass it up. Dorothy has gone to listen to the three Texas tenors and I'm sitting here in my ginch tapping out the world as I see it.

The fleet has opened a new dining choice called Canaletto, the six at our table have reservations for tomorrow (Wednesday) night. I'm hoping they have some tomato based pastas as I'm not an enthusiast of the creamy Alfredo dishes. I'm missing my daily "O"land fix, I've tried a log in a couple of times but the satellite is so slow. If anyone from the board is following this blog, please tell the others that Toe misses them and sends love n hugs.

Wednesday July 28th. 1536h

Alesund Norway.

This morning we awoke to blue skies and sunshine, Maasdam was heading to the entrance of the "Stor" or big fjord where Alesund is located. We were a little behind schedule due to high wind in the night. We ate in the dining room then watched our approach to this charming city. As we slipped into our berth, I could see on the port side that we had company, the QM2 was also in port so we knew it would be busy.

ad my book until lunch time. Most of us who left Pacific and mountain time zones are feeling the effects, so I don't feel like such a wimp. This morning was foggy but the sun is out now I'm pleased to say that the clothes we packed for the cooler part of our voyage worked out very well.

Fishing is the main industry here, hence the coat of arms bearing a fishing boat atop three fish. It is home to some 40,000 residents and Klippfisk (salt cod) is the local delicacy as it seems to have been in our last four ports. The town burned in 1904 and was rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style which was popular at the time. Walking is easy in the down town area and that's what we did for about an hour.

Our intention was to purchase tickets for the site seeing train that meanders through the narrow streets up to a mountain top with great views of the three islands that make up this area. We joined the ticket queue and missed the 10.15 so walked around until it was time for the 11.15. There appears to be two of these trains on wheels, and the tour lasts for about an hour. Nearing the mountain top the road really narrowed and our train competed with busses and other vehicles for space, it was a tight squeeze in places but all vehicles cooperated without the blaring horns and one fingered waves that are the norm in much of the world.

This was the maiden call for Maasdam so there was an exchange of plaques between the Mayor and Captain Russell-Dunford. This has been a tradition for many years and it's very interesting looking at the many plaques from cities all over the world that hang in the aft companionway.

All passengers were accounted for and we pushed away from the quay at 1600h an hour late because of our late arrival, they'll put the pedal to the metal so to speak and make up the hour before we arrive in Bergen in the morning.

We are dining in the Canaletto tonight as mentioned, so time for me to abandon my two fingered symphony, shower change and get myself all shipshape and Bristol fashion. In all it was a pleasant day, tee shirt warm, marvelous views and not having to rush for anything.

Now to find out if we have satellite, Oh my, it looks like we have bars, hip hip hooray.

Oh no, now only two bars, grrrrrrrr. I shall try again after dinner,

1900h July 28th.

Dinner was very good, and very Italian, I had an excellent sea food zuppa full of shrimp, scallops and calamari. Cod Italian style ? And a tremendous tiramisu, 3 flavors each served in a shot glass shaped "thingy" with straw shaped chocolate adornments. It's amazing how 6 strangers can bond after such a short period of time and one of the reasons we prefer the traditional dining. Most ships now offer as you like dining where you make reservations each day or just show up and hope to be seated soon after. As mentioned previously our table is 2 couples and two single guys, very diverse but all seasoned cruisers, with why fly when you can get there by ship attitudes. Conversation has definitely not been boring, and no subject has been taboo to date.

Sorry, I've been trying all evening but can not get a connection :(:(:(

I'll have another go early in the morning……….

Finally a connection