From Norway

Hello Everyone,

Well here we are in Norway which has to be the country with the most majestic scenery in the world.

Nine days ago we flew into wonderful wonderful Copenhagen, Denmarks capitol and the home of Hans Christian Anderson. It is a colourful walking city and so small and intimate it only takes a day to get to know it. On our second day there some of us hired bikes and cycled throughout the city - even through the Royal Palace courtyard past our Mary's house! Of cource we visited the Little Mermaid (and she is very little) and the Tivoli Gardens. We lunched in one of the famous restaurants along the very colourful Nyhavn Canal - a top tourist attraction with prices to match.

We cruised to Oslo on the five star Pearl of Scandinavia - a very regal ocean liner. Oslo is an instant indicator of how the Norwegians enjoy life. The world cup qualifier between Scotland and Norway was played the second night we were there. You can imagine the city was brimming with kilt wearing Scots carrying huge soccar banners who later celebrated their ultimate victory with much merriment. Thank goodness for hotel couble glazed windows. I can also tell you that Scots definitely do not wear anything under their kilts.
There is plenty to do in this city. The nations Vikings history is well recorded in a dedicated Viking Museum which houses the world's best preserved Viking ships. We also visited the Norsk Folkemusuem which is on one the most comprehensive and best presented museum compounds I have ever seen. Another unforgettable highlight of this city is the Vigeland sculpture park. This park features a series of human figures in white granite depicting very stage of human life cycle. Gustav Vigeland was the sculptor - a Norwegian with his own very colourful past.We sipped on hot chocolate as we wondered at the scale of the famous Holmankollen Ski jump. Truly frightening.

From Oslo we ventured to the country side and mountains to travel through the most beautiful unspoilt scenery in the world. We have stayed in lovely hotels in stunning small villages surrounded with snow capped mountains and glistening fiords and waterfalls. We took the famous Hellesylt ferry to Geiranger via the Geiranger fiord - postcard panoramas of breathtaking dimentions.

We have eated the freshest salmon and Norway is heaven on a stick for those who enjoy herrings. Fruit tastes like fruit did when we were kids. Alcolhol is expensive. 60 dollars for a bottle of house wine. 12 dollars for a glass of beer.

It is a fun group who enjoy life and pack everything into their day. We have played cards and danced evenings away. Our Irsih lady has taught us how to 'play the spoons'. Can't wait to play them for you!!

So far we have been blessed with perfect weather but expect to experience a colder climate as we meander north. Tomorrow we move onto Alesund.

I wish you could all be here to share this wonderful journey. I can't tell you how breathtaking it is.

Until my next update - stay well,

Cheers,Jeanette