We left our apartment at 12.45 and caught an Uber to the cruise terminal. The checkin and boarding was absolute clockwork. I think it took less than 30 minutes from when we were dropped off until we had our luggage in our cabins. We have balcony cabins next door to each other which is very handy.

It was really great to get onboard and finally unpack everything we have been lugging around for weeks. We have an early dining slot which suits us down to the ground. Especially foe the day trips that follow the next day. We have joined a beginners bridge course which is great fun and we are lucky enough to play with a couple who have some clue. Massively complex to learn, but interesting. I am not a card player at all, but enjoying this. Also try not to miss any trivial pursuit quizzes – but we struggle with the local tv and music questions.

Life on board is very comfortable, as you know, its eat, play, read, chat and tour. It is an absolute break from organizing, thinking and planning. Our first two days were spent at sea, as we sailed from Southampton to Norway. Early morning on the 3rd we entered inti the Olden Fjord. All the fjords are majestic…I have snapped over a thousand pictures. So hard to choose which to post.

Obviously. Dad is uppermost in our minds much of the time. This was his dream…but we feel him with us. In the spotting of a cave, the sunshine breaking through the clouds….and of course the buffet table!!! He would absolutely have loved this trip. So glad that Mom and I could make his dream come true.

Olden is a village in the municipality of Stryn , Norway. It is located at the mouth of the Oldeelva river at the northern end of the Oldendale. valley on the southern shore of the Nordfjorden. We take a bus tour from Olden to Nordfjorden…seeing inbe.ievanle, mountain, valley, forests and farms. Back in time for the afternoon sailing at 6pm.

The sim and data bundles that I bought in UK from 3UK service provider, is an EU linked package. So when we are in port and near the mainland, we can use this data. Brilliant package to have. Talking about the EU…. Boris Johnson has just been elected PM of The UK. Its been fascinating to hear the reactions of the mostly Brit cruisers. They are largely incensed and bemused. So many are talking about what a crook, liar and no good that he is- they are also very concerned about the future. So interesting how many of them are now trying to get EU ancestral passports, especially for their kids. The grass is never greener on the other side.

Back to Norway, our second stop was in Andalsnes this morning. For our excursion we went on the beautiful scenic Rauma rail trip. Much to short was the common view. Sights of the massive mountains, gushing waterfalls, green and blue rivers, snow capped mountains, bridges and forests.  You don’t know where to look next. We disembarked from the train and had a bus trip back to Andalsnes…again spectacular views of the scenery, but from the opposite direction. It was a boiling hot day today, with temps hitting 30 degrees and aircon in buses – she’s not beef. We were boiling. We stopped at a curio/halfway stop…and I realised that I had left my wallet on the boat. Arrrghhh…all we wanted was a bottle of water and an ice cream. Luckily I had £20 in my cellphone – the emergency cash. But alas, the shop would nly take krone.  But fortune favours sometimes- I spotted Dave and his wife – the famous fjord swimmers that I had photographed. They were chuffed that someone had recorded their bravery. Anyway, I went to Dave and asked him if he would hold the £20 and give me 100Krone… I would then meet him on the ship to return it. Graciously he had enough krone to cash all my pounds. So we got our water and ice creams…and all was good in the land of the cruisers!

Brett, you will be happy to know that we were on main deck for the sail-away party.  Weather was awesome and the views incredible. We are now headed out of our last fjord into the open Norwegian seas, headed for Iceland. We will cross the Arctic circle late tonight. Suddenly the temperature has dropped and it is freezing. So far our cruise has been awesome. Next two days will be at sea and then we get to Iceland. Our clocks go back an hour again…so we get a good long nap. Even if the sun only goes down after 11pm.