The Floyen

06.08.19
After our day at Sea yesterday we arrived in Norway this morning. Bergen.
What a fabulous day we've had.
We had a lovely pre-breakfast breakfast in the cabin and then actual breakfast up in the Kings Court.
I carried a couple of plates of cheese, salami, bread rolls, banana chips, peanuts and fruit down to our cabin (which is handily only one flight of stairs down from the King's Court) and made a little picnic for our half board option. 
I just happened to find some tupperware in my luggage which was perfect for taking it all with us! Mr K turns his nose up at my pilfering but happily tucks into a cheese and salami roll when it's offered!
Bergen is considered the wettest place in Europe and today didn't disappoint! It was spitting a bit when we got off the ship and onto the shuttle bus for the tiny journey to the edge of the port. It absolutely chucked it down as we walked from there into town. About a ten minute walk through lovely cobbled, higgledy-piggledy streets with wood clad houses.
We went into the tourist information  centre by the harbour to get some leaflets and get out of the rain for a bit and by the time we came out it had stopped.
We looked round the amazing fish market underneath the tourist information - every kind of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and other unidentifiable things from the sea. And we learnt our first Norwegian word: blekksprut (octopus)
Enormous blekksprut they were too!!
From there we wandered up to the Floibanen - the funicular railway which takes you to the top of the Floyen for spectacular views over the city and surrounding mountains and fjords. 
There was a huge queue down the street from the station which we joined. And looked on smugly as all the Cunard tours stood in a queue longer than ours.
Then we overheard the couple in front of us saying it was cheaper if you booked in advance on the Floibanen website and there was an even shorter queue. So we did that on the phone while we waited, switched queues and felt even more smug!
When we got into the carriage it was drizzly and grey but then as we went up the mountain the skies cleared, the sun came out and the view just opened up beneath us. Spectacular! We were at the front of the carriage so had a fantastic, unobstructed view.
And our little ship down there in the harbour!
We spent ages at the viewpoint soaking up the view. Looking at all the mountains, sparkling water, bridges and roads in all directions made me desperate to see the rest of Norway. Definitely want to come back in Marshall!!
We took out a second mortgage for coffee and Diet Coke at the cafe at the top and then went for a little walk and explore. We saw the goats which reminded me of the goats on the Great Orme in Llandudno. 
Years ago from a train window I saw a newspaper headline in Cardiff about the Feral Goats of Llandudno running riot. I've never forgotten it and it was funny seeing the feral goats of Bergen today!
We ate our delicious half board option in the sun while the Little Misses ran around and climbed on a giant Troll (see extras)
 We contemplated walking back down the Floyen into town but rain was threatening again so we bought the obligatory fridge magnet and got back on the train. We had the front row of the front carriage again so spectacular views again. 
We wandered through town to the Bryggen, the old Hanseatic harbour buildings which are unchanged since Medieval times, being rebuilt after fires over the centuries in exactly the same style. It was amazing!!
Also amazing was finding the gallery where my mum bought me a print on one of her trips here. We bought a couple more which I love, love, love!!
Then it was time to head back to the ship. Halfway there the heavens opened and we got proper soaked. Then we got on the bus from the port gate to the ship - a two minutes ride - and by the time we got there the sun had come back out. Norwegian weather!!
The Little Misses got straight in the pool and we sat and watched with tea, biscuits and Pina coladas!!
They went back to the cabin eventually but we stayed out on deck for Sailaway. It was amazing, sailing back up the fjords under a bridge so low it felt as if you could reach up and touch it from the top deck!
We dressed up and had quick drinks in the Commodore before heading  to the Britannia for dinner at 8.30pm. They're being brilliant with Miss L showing us tomorrow's menus so she can choose whatever she wants and they can make whatever adaptations necessary. 
And they're taking care of Miss E too bringing her unlimited bread rolls and getting hot dogs brought up for her which certainly aren't on the menu!
And we've got a lovely window table.
The Little Misses headed to the cabin while Mr K and I lingered over our mint tea, cappuccino and Petit fours. No crystallised ginger so far so Mr K may well be emailing Cunard head office to complain!!    
We eventually waddled back to the cabin and collapsed into our beds. The kids are in overhead bunks and we're in singles underneath. Living the life!!!