We hunted the lights patiently, freezing to death on deck 7 last night until we were semi frozen. I did see a few  shooting stars. One was absolutely stunning, comet style with a tail. We went inside and I had a quick shower, put my PJ’s on and got into bed. Then the crew announced that the lights had been spotted on the port side. So in virtually no seconds flat, snow pants on, ski boots with no socks, and the big jackets. The big jacket pockets had been pre-loaded with ear muffs, beanies, buff and gloves. We both made it out on deck in record time.

The lights were feint in the distance, but displayed for at least 15 minutes on the far horizon. Unfortunately not much colour but some lateral and vertical movement. At least a genuine first  sighting. Once we were completely frozen solid and the next port was in sight, we headed back in to defrost!

This morning was a very early start as we docked in Trondheim at 6am. We had breakfast at 7am. Today’s treat was the Taystee Wheat, rich and creamy!  Mom do you remember that brown cheese you used to buy in Carletonville for me? Well they have it on board here in plentiful supply, so that is part of my daily breakfast routine. Again, we decided to do our thing and head into town to see the main attraction, the Nidaros Cathedral. We considered walking there….for a nanosecond….the outside temp was minus 9, and with the windchill it was recorded as feels like minus 15. Mense dit is koud!!!

So a taxi it was, which the boat kindly called for us. We got dropped off at the cathedral just at 8am, as the sun was rising, so we got to see it before the boat tour group and in the spectacular early morning lights. Took some great pics and froze our asses off. Like true Vaalie ghouls, we then had lots of fun with cellphone camera and the timers in the graveyard. I managed to balance the phone on a corner of a tombstone and got some great pics. Not without some serious laughs! You can see the happy faces. The cathedral only opened at 9am, so we took a stroll onto the opposite river bank accross the wooden bridge-Gamle Bybro which is a famous landmark in the town, the pics are great. It snowed for the first time here overnight, so we got to see it looking pretty. Originally Gamle Bybro was constructed of wood, but the wood was supported on three stone piers. In the middle of the bridge was an iron gate.  This remained a guarded city gate until 1816. At each end of the bridge was a toll and guardhouse.

We went to a coffee shop, Dawn had a coffee and I had a seriously deelish hot chocolate. Then we headed back to the cathedral for a walk around. It is built in the gothic style. Construction started in 1070 until 1300. Built over the burial site of Saint Olav, the king of Norway in the 11th century, who became the patron saint of the nation. It is the traditional location for the consecration of the King of Norway. After the Protestant Reformation, it was taken from the Roman Catholics by the Lutheran Church in 1537. It is the northernmost medieval cathedral in the world.

Inside it has 3 organs, the walls are mostly plain stone structures and not adorned with paintings.  The two main pillars in the church were built by English stonemasons from Lincolnshire, who came over to teach the Norwegians stonemasonary. The oldest parts of the cathedral consist of the octagon with its surrounding ambulatory. This was the site of the original high altar, with the casket of Saint Olav. Pilgims who came to the cathedral would walk around the octagon and drink from the holy warer.

We then decided to be brave and walk back to the boat. The air was bracing to say the least. It had warmed up to a whopping -4. We did well to navigate in the right direction, but were stymied by a multi track railway line that we had to cross to get to the port. A very kind NSB Official pointed us in the right direction. We did get a chance to recce the train station for our trip back, we also realised that it is too far to lug your cases from off the boat! So when we return we will taxi to the station.

We got back on board at about 11.30 and spent time reading and wifi-ing in the Explorer Lounge- main inside viewing deck and lounge. Another buffet lunch which was really yummy. Lots of fish and pickles and veggies, something for everyone! Then we had a bit of a siesta time. Back to the lounge to watch the scenery passing by, but we did have a pitstop at the icecream vendor. Today’s spoil was licorice and caramel for me, and  just licorice for Dawn. Tomorrow’s sample will be beer 🍻  and salted fish 🐟! Watch this space.

The sun set just on 4pm today, so its now 5.30pm and pitch dark. Our dinner seating is at 6.30pm. Menu is a duck starter, followed by coalfish and then a desert. Comments to follow.

Thanks for all the chirps and comments, always good to have contact from home.

Using the timer in the cemetary

The Light Hunter

Banks of the river in Trondheim

Nidaroa Cathedral

Salted and sried fish startwr

Me and my alter ego

The Terrorist

Fun in the cemetery

The Gothic facade of Nidaros Cathedral

Beautiful lighting on the Nidelva river

I loved the colours of this hedge

The Gamle Bybro

Running to the phone

Another view of the bridge

Me on the Gamle Bybro

Explorer Lounge on deck 7

Me in Alesund

The Light Hunter

Love this silhouette pic that Dawn took of me and the seagull atop the statue