Convoys and the Long Way Home

[drron]

More people coming up the mountain as we prepare to go down-

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It was now time for lunch.Walking back towards the ship we came across this restaurant-

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Was cheaper than the fish market for undoubtedly better seafood.Quite a few from the ship ate here.We had moules et frites.At least a kilo of mussels which were plump and sweet.Most enjoyable.Those getting crab,lobster,shrimp all seemed to be enjoying their food.
Not far to a little shop that got Mrsdrron's attention.

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[drron]

So now back to the Cloud and we leave Bergen.Interesting steaming out as we pass lovely scenery,salmon farms and oil platforms-

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Conditions were great for a windsurfer-

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[drron]

A good day for trivia-our first win.Another very enjoyable group for dinner once again being nearly last to leave.The next morning we awake in the Fjord leading to Hellesylt-

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A hydro power station-

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Continuing to Hellesylt-

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[RooFlyer]

The Orchestra looks ridiculously big! Hanging on to see what happens.

 

[drron]

We were beaten to Hellesylt.The ferry left as we arrived-

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You discover you really are on a small ship.The Cloud and MSC Orchestra-

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A rushing stream splits the town-

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So we now set off on our bus journey from Hellesylt to Geiranger.

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Wasn't long before we saw our first real snow.The land was dotted with many small farms and quite picturesque-

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[drron]

The problem with the MSC ship was that they had 17 full busses doing the overland tour from Hellesylt to Geiranger.$ not so full busses from the Cloud.Two of those were for the Captain's Choice group.So back to the scenery-

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Soon our first stop at Europe's deepest lake.Hornindalsvatnet.

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A pretty place but none of us were game to dive in.

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Also a Best Western hotel and somewhere to be put back in place-

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[drron]

At this little town Mrsdrron was able to buy some very good alpaca yarn in the supermarket.One of the few things that is cheaper in Norway.Nice decorations around the hotel-

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We then went on to the next town.A lot bigger.Suryn.Also quite photogenic-

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The bus trip continues-

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[drron]

Just beautiful country-

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[drron]

We were now getting to the highest point on the road.This is the new highway between Oslo and Bergen.We couldn't use the old road as still closed due to snow.

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We now arrived at our lunch destination.An old hotel which for most of the year is a ski resort.It is also the junction of the old and new roads so we soon understood why the old road was blocked

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[drron]

At this time of year the wildflowers are meant to be in full bloom but only a few were flowering.

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We enjoyed a simple lunch of white asparagus soup,salmon and dessert.And of course a beer-

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As well as interesting old furniturs at the hotel-

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But the real attraction was the magnificent scenery and for those of us from hotter climes the snow.You will also note the blue sky.A rare sight this trip-

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[drron]

Note the ice on the lake.In a matter of minutes the weather was to change dramatically-

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[drron]

We now headed up a private road to a viewpoint over the fjord.Turned out to be rather pointless.But some impressive snow-

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And this one just for perspective-

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Even some distance down on the Geiranger road visibility was limited-

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Some views of the old Geiranger road-

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[drron]

And finally the fjord-

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And not the most practical transportation in these conditions-

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So down the mountain we go-

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[drron]

The ferry is in and because it is summer people are camping-

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The crew is ready to take us on board-

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The Orchestra and ferry are leaving as we board.The MSC ship sure looks large up close-

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Some people have great views-

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[drron]

Lots of waterfalls-

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The majesty of nature dwarfs our creations-

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[drron]

Even in poor weather the fjords are majestic-

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But there are some scars-

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So we missed trivia and golf but also we were exhausted.Once again a lovely dinner and great company.
Wednesday and another sea day.Slept all morning then lunch at the pool grille.Restaurant menu was unexciting.However service for this meal was inconsistent.But to give staff their due some was caused by the passengers as they were doing a stir fry from scratch which was popular.Some when they got their meal complained re the small serving and asked for more hence causing a longer wait-however they had chosen their ingredients.Anyone doing even basic cooking would realise the volume of fresh veggies stir fried will be reduced.
Later we were second in the trivia and golf putting.We also had booked the Pool grill for dinner and hot rocks.Apart from being freezing this was a lot better.Again saw some complaints from passengers that were totally unjustified-ie complaining about steak being overcooked when they were doing the cooking.
Definitely needed some inner warming and a couple of glasses of amarula did the trick ensuring a sound sleep.That was until midnight when awoken by the foghorn sounding.Absolutely no visibility.Eventually got back to sleep.

 

[drron]

Awoke again as we entered Harstad.A little late as we had to wait the Hurtigren ferry to leave the dock.First to breakfast and then I was off to the Adolf gun.Mrsdrron doesn't share my love of military history so stayed on board.
So the excursion.Not far out of town-

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As the map shows these batteries were to protect Narvik Harbour.They are aimed at the mainland not out to sea to harass convoys which were much further north.

So the last photo I posted was of the standard shell.Next come the armour piercing shells and the light weight 600Kg shell for maximum range-about 51 KM.

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Of course this required a strong way of delivering shells from the store room to the gun pit-

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[drron]

And then up to the gun-

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A series of remarkable photos showing the installation of the gun and test firing-

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The officer in charge of the installation became good friends with one of the locals.When it was decided to have a museum the local tracked down the German officer and found he had kept photos of the installation.A bit of history preserved.
The depressing part of the installation was that the hard work was carried out by Russian POWs many of whom died here.
After the war the battery was used by the Norwegian artillery for training until 1957 when the first damage was caused by the gun-a glass house fortunately not occupied.

 

[drron]

An instrument with an unusual name-

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The guns were to be used in new H class battleships which were never built-

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And for the spotters-a 3 person telescope to more accurately gauge position-

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Now the gun-

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And a slightly smaller one nearby-

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Scenes from the bus including a new grave being prepared-

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The Adolf gun is on a military base so you cannot just turn up to see it.A tour has to be arranged.As it is a military base about 3000 moose live here as they are not at risk of being hunted.The young were born about 7 weeks ago so not usually visible at this time of year.

 

[drron]

Mrsdrron had stayed aboard and I joined her for lunch.Had 2 "spicy" dishes with no spice at all.Reminded me to order chilli or sambal on the side.After lunch we walked into town.A market in the square.Vendors from Greece,Italy and the Netherlands.

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It was also Northern Norway cultural week.Mrsdrron got some more wool and returned to the Cloud as it was windy,wet and cold.I walked around and caught up with some of the performances.They could be anywhere even in the port.The festival sign was everywhere.Sadly due to the weather very few people-

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Some random building and flower pictures-

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