In between the endless gales of early February, Play d’eau was lifted on 4 February 2013 for her annual under water inspection and antifouling at M & G Engineering, St Sampsons.
Gales and Spring Tides
Although a day late due to 75kt winds and spring tides, we board ‘old faithful’, the Condor ‘Commodore Clipper’ ferry for the overnight crossing to the mainland.
The seas remain very emotional but we’re used to being rocked and rolled and soon fall asleep in our cabin, waking in time for breakfast before disembarking in Portsmouth.
First, we drive to Lin’s sister Pip and her husband Pete for a catch up and glorious lunch of dressed crab. Mid-afternoon, and we’re back in the car to meet our son Adam and his fiancée Perdita for dinner before spending the night in a local hotel.
Leaving early the next morning for Heathrow, we meet another son, Toby, and his fiancée Amy, in terminal 5, before boarding BA’s flight 766 to Oslo.Norway and the Arctic Circle – here we come
After a short night in Oslo’s Royal Christiana, we board a train for the seven hour journey of wonderment across the mountains to Bergen. It’s not cold, maybe just around freezing.
Our eyes feast on pure white snow, ice covered rivers and lakes, ski slopes, a house here and there under thick layers of snow to keep warm. Fresh coffee (tea for Lin) comes from the buffet carriage.
Stopping at infrequent stations, the train begins to fill with weekend skiers returning to Bergen. Ski racks fill to overflow and spill their contents, sending skis clattering to the floor amidst much laughter.
MS Midnatsol
We arrive in Bergen and the fun starts. So many skiers looking for so many skis. So much bedlam.The Hurtigruten bus is waiting for us.
Climbing in, we are driven through Bergen’s cobbled streets to the MS Midnatsol (Midnight sun) which will be our home for the coming week.
Boarding papers are checked, we attend a safety briefing, we walk aboard and find our cabin. Happy birthday celebrations, Lin.
MS Midnatsol. Is there a clue in the name? We’ll see.
Piers and Lin
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MS Midnatsol
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Glad to know the birthday celebrations (albeit belated) can now begin!
Enjoy yourselves and we look forward to seeing more posts and photos.
Pxx
Lin-Belated birthday greetings. Have a wonderful time. Rodney is very envious.
I shall look forward to your next posts and the photos. Robbie x