Blogs from Stavanger, Western Norway, Norway, Europe

So, what is it like in quarantine? First, you set your alarm an hour before going into port so you can see some of the scenery from your balcony. You pray the ship docks on the starboard side so that you can see into the city. Yeah, it did today. (Well really yesterday) One of the nurses comes and takes vitals in the morning. Then, you start your routine of room service, movies, reading, checking news and emails… for me a nap was also needed. (thank you Cathy for suggesting- In an Instance). After that Susan and I message back and forth and call on the ships phone. Yep, that is our day. Susan tries to do steps around her room. I don’t have a ton of energy. Then about 6, the DR calls to check ... read more

Castellano debajo... Dans ce blog, ou vous allez croire qu'on est complètement fous... ou vous allez trouver l'histoire originale... Nous arrivons à Stavanger où nous avons prévu de dormir une nuit de la semaine... laisser en pension dans le camping Pollux, tout seul comme un grand durant trois nuits... et nous débrouiller pour une dernière nuit... L'histoire est née d'une annonce de mariage... Une de mes petites jardinières qui a aujourd'hui plus que l'âge de raison... se marie le 29 juin à Londres !!! elle compte sur notre présence !!! Comme elle est restée tout à fait adorable... on hésite pas à répondre "OUI"... nous serons là... et j'imagine alors le scénario à opérer pour que ce soit possible... Billets d'avions et hôtels sont vite réservés ! Rien n'est réservé dans aucun camping car il y ... read more

The announcement on the tannoy said that Stavanger is the most expensive city in the world. I don’t know on what evidence they base this, but after a day there, I’m not going to argue! I’d seen a photo of Sverd i Fjell (three swords) in the cruise brochure, but didn’t wants to pay £££s to see a statue, no matter how impressive. So we walked. Passing through some very impressive residential areas of sparkling white houses, each one a different design with porches, balconies and large gardens. The roads were tree lined with an abundance of lush parks and public areas, all with well maintained and colourful flowerbeds. Any graffiti seen was mostly street art rather than the scruffy scrawl of non-existent words you often get. Family groups cycled by, all sensibly wearing helmets and ... read more

Well what a breath of fresh air pulling into Stavanger, our most southern port of call on this cruise, no snow or ice in the town. A beautiful town with all the wooden houses which are considered national heritage monuments in their own right, kept so pristine, was lovely to wander around for a few hours taking in the sites. Very pretty Norwegian town. Though we did take a walk around the lake in the middle of town with loads of birds on it and it was 3/4 frozen over, John said "can I video you walking on the ice to see if it can hold another bird's weight, I AM NOT THAT SILLY! The gorgeous cathedral was built in the 12th century and was modelled on Winchester Cathedral which we visited a few years ago. ... read more

Stavanger 20th November We dock next to Gamle Stavanger, the old town, tiny wooden houses, cobbled lanes typify a living museum. Stavanger originally a fishing port, there were 70 canneries in the 1920's, the last one closed in 1983. The demise of the sardine industry coincide with the discovery of oil and it soon became the centre of Norway's oil and gas industry. Stavanger is not just an industrial town, the city is a charming mixture of old wooden houses and has a developing tourist industry. Old Stavanger has a charming selection of old wooden houses, narrow streets, old fashioned lampposts and various workshops have sprung up and Norwegian art is on sale. Stavanger Domkirke, the Cathedral built under the direction of the Bishop of Winchester is the best preserved medieval church in Norway, it has ... read more