Flam and the Briksdal Glacier.

 The Flam railway was everything it should be and more, even though the famed waterfall was mostly still frozen over it was just lovely being in the old vehicle and going up through the mountains to where the snow still had a thick covering over the land.  

The actual town of Flam is very small as are all these Fjord towns, though the numbers must swell considerably when the tourists are in town.  However, it is still more convenient a stopping off point than Olden which felt cold and distant when we arrived so I was really glad that I had booked a formal tour on this final day, which was a coach trip up to Briksdal and then the "Troll Car" - a rather terrifying twisty route up and back which deposited one nearish to the glacier followed by quite a steep walk if you wanted to get closer, which I did.  All of us on table 80 found it absolutely mesmerising and loved being out in the snow and in nature despite the presence of so many others. Once back down the mountain tea and cake awaited us so what more could one want.  

Standing stone near Flam. 

Back on board, there was food, dancing, more shows and so on. I absolutely loved being in the spa and watching the ship sail majestically up the fjords, I was also very impressed with the staff and wished I had had the inspiration to go to see to either put on shows or be a chamber maid and travel at the same time. However, there were aspects that did feel a little uncomfortable for example I would not have got work as a chamber maid as I am not Filipino and whilst a number of the musicians around the ship were they did not feature in the shows, which were all British, so whilst the ship was very international, some of the roles did not seem as mixed as they could be.   I have checked my finances and I am not sure I can justify splashing out again, but in many ways it is a very nice and comfortable way to travel so I can see why so many older people go for it, but how on earth some do several trips a year heaven knows.  Anyway I am glad I know what a little cruise on a little ship feels like.  

The Most Unbelievable Amazing News and Beautiful Bergen.

 I know I still have not finished writing up about Norway, but this news is too important and amazing, so have to share it.  The neighbouring Green Party has swept away the local Conservatives.  They have gone from having two councillors to having seventeen. It is an astonishing achievement.  I know many of the people who have just become Cllrs, I am aware how hard everyone has worked in the area and am absolutely delighted for them.  Well done. 

The political make-up of the council is now:

•    19 Green  
•    16 Conservative
•    10 Liberal Democrat
•    5 Labour

I did not stand this year, partly because of my travelling but it was nice to do some Telling yesterday and to be at the Count to see all the postal votes being opened, so well done to the Broxbourne Green Party for a solid consolidation of the vote in the target ward.  What has happened in East Herts shows that with enough people and an open population that change really can happen.  

Norway's history shows it is a very interesting and open place and on  my second day there in Bergen I did learn more about the country at the Hanseatic League museum and again later in the day at the Resistance Museum tucked away near the castle grounds.  

I had really been looking forward to Bergen, and it was a nice day and interesting, but one I was very tired and two many of the key museums (e.g. Grieg's House) were shut but I think it is because the first day had been so wonderful that Bergen had a lot to live up to and in the end it was probably a slight disappointment compared with everything else.  But it is still beautiful, just love those wooden houses, so beautiful. 

One of the lovely things about being able to dock so near to the centre of town, I managed to rush out and get to the Tourist Office at 9 and check out what was open and so on get a map and then nip back to the boat for breakfast and then head out to the town for the whole day. Despite having just had breakfast I stuffed my face with coffee and the best carrot cake ever but then determindly kept going as long as possible to see as much as possible in the town before heading back to the ship for a well earned fish and chips supper!.  Life on board. that being Saturday night I then went and did my laundry and then popped back up to see my fellow dinners on the second shift of food and had a very naughty plate of cheese and biscuits with which to end the day. 

:) :)