1997 Land Of The Midnight Sun - Bergen

After our breakfast it was time to explore a little and the first thing we did was to take a cable car ride up a mountain with panoramic views of Bergen. At the top we spent some time looking around and being looked at by the local sheep population.

As we were back in a large city for the first time for over a week a visit to the local shopping mall was required . On the top tier there was a bridge that went over the centre that had a transparent floor and several people would not walk across it.

Along the quay side there was a large fish market with live lobsters and eels. All the produce was looking so good that I had to be physically dragged away!

Just away from the waterfront Guzziesue found a shop selling Hardanger style lace. This is actually a type of needlework that is stitched in soft cotton on evenly woven linen in blocks of satin stitch between which threads are removed to give a lace like appearence.Guzziesue had been making bobbin lace for some time so she was quite interested in this, Ian was working in a lace factory during this period so it was more like a busman’s holiday for him.

In the evening we went to an Italian restaurant to dine. The waitress was so friendly that the owner thought that we knew her. She had only been in the job for a few days but was already tired of it. We were getting along so well that we were invited to a party later that evening but we had to decline the offer as we had to return to the hotel to pack and be up early next morning to board the ferry for our return home.

1997 Land Of The Midnight Sun - Gerainger To Bergen

My Troll Friends have been reading my story and are upset that I have not mentioned them, so here is a recent photo of us all at home. And now back to my adventure.

For once we actually get an early start but not without incident. Guzzisue had decided to get up early and take some photos of the waterfall on the campsite, however she decided not to tell us that she had slipped over and hurt her back. Normally this would not have affected matters but today Ian stalled the bike on a steep hairpin bend coming off the campsite. I heard him ask Guzzisue to step off as he was struggling to keep the bike upright. This was the time she mentioned about her accident this morning and I can tell you the air turned a little blue!

Once we manage to get going we stop for several photo shoots and make good time travelling that we decide to head straight for Bergen, arriving at 5:30. We had to pay to get the motorcycle into Bergen, which was a little off putting as we would not be able to catch the ferry if we didn’t pay. Robbery.

We find a hotel near to the ferry terminal with an area round the back where we can park for our stay. Street parking is very limited and speaking to people later many had received parking tickets.

While I stayed in the hotel room watching satallite tv, my friends went in search of a meal and ended up at an expensive restaurant. They chose well as the next day people were queuing to have a meal there.

Having eaten Ian and Guzziesue then watched an Australian street entertainer who amassed a good size crowd for his act which involved using members of the audience to hold a rope tight enough for him to balance on and juggle firesticks.

Tomorrow we will have a good look round Bergen itself.