Met Trine & Glen who took us to dinner at the Frognersenteret high above the fjord. A great evening. [View Full Entry]

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Today we go higher into the mountains (above 2000metres) where we stop for a snowball fight. Chris drives us up to see the glacier - I just hope some of my photos are near the mark! We didn't walk on it - that takes a little more planning... The strings of people looked like ants way over there... Finally we return via Hemsedal, all the way back to Oslo - in time for Christer to get some sleep before an early departure for work next morning... [View Full Entry]

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After a full day of travelling through the mountains and incredible scenery, and crossing fjords by ferry, and through numerous tunnels we stay at a revamped farm with several lovely cabins and a sensational menu - Westeras - we befriend the ponies - then next morning after we check out we climb the remainder of the mountain to where the waterfall crashes over the edge (we even walk down a path that takes you right under the falls - thunderous) Chris drives us to a lookout nearby that is directly overhead the end of the fjord, which now has about 5 [View Full Entry]

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Just can't seem to go to bed. At least not while there's still good daylight - which is at least until midnight or 1am. Then it starts getting bright again around 3am... Oh, of course, yesterday was the solstice.... About 6 pm we leave (Christer driving Trine's Golf) and head for Hemsedal where we stay in the cabin after a good evening meal. There is snow on the tops but the ski slopes are now grass. [View Full Entry]

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After a dust-up with a snotty vaporetto driver, six of us get deposited at the airport. After a long delay we get to check in for SAS to Copenhagen - running now - only 45 minutes layover until our connection to Oslo. Even so we just make it, and the flight makes up lost time - arrive almost as scheduled then have an hour delay while we queue to find out which country Jo's back-pack might be in. Walk out and see one person - ZOE... SAS will deliver Jo's clothes tomorrow afternoon. [View Full Entry]

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The four of us gather our bags, head for the water taxi and finally cab - it to the shipping terminal. As scheduled, the Splendour of the Seas pulls out at 5pm. Tomorrow the Conference begins in earnest - in the meantime we sleep in our luxury cabin with views to die for as we depart Venice and head to the Agean (Mykonos on Monday afternoon).... [View Full Entry]

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Tonight, we part company from T & M as we have bought tickets to an opera concerto at Scuola Grande di San Teodoro. A beautiful rendition (flawless, actually) - 5 strings, plus keyboards, and two virtuosi on violin, of Vivaldi's 4 Seasons, plus works by Albinoni and Pachelbel. - Sensational, and in such a traditional setting, in period costume... [View Full Entry]

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Later in the day, after much exploring, see Tony & Maria coming along Viala del San Giglio. We give them the tix, so they too can do a cruise of the grand canal by water taxi. A great way to see Venice life... Towards dusk we enlist Luciano to give us the guided tour in his gondola around the waterways, while sipping champagne - it IS Jo's birthday, after all. Luciano, may be Italian, but he doesn't sing. But he sure can gondole, tho! [View Full Entry]

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Walked from Trastevere across the river to get a tram to Termini. Not long to wait until our fast train leaves for Venice (via Firenze, Bologna) - long enough, though for Jo to sling off her heavy back-pack, which slammed into the side of her leg below the knee. Seemed like she might have broken something - tears of pain, difficulty walking, sitting - gave her trouble for many days after. 4.5 hours and we're in Venice. Carrying two back-packs now, while Jo wheels the hand luggage. Walk to the water taxi where we're approached by a departing couple with [View Full Entry]

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Spent more time on my feet in the last two days than since I worked in a factory years ago. Walked so far around the amazing historic sites in Rome - yesterday got a glimpse of the combined police forces of Italy - Polizia, Carabinieri and others from all over the country - heavy business - all to ensure the protest at G.W.'s visit to Rome didn't get out of control. We moved away as we were standing where the march was supposed to come around the Piazza Venezia. They were the modern centurians all lined up and looking like they [View Full Entry]

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