Bit of a Blog : B2B2B : SoA : embarking 20/01/22

[nosapphire]

22 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

FYI. Resty is now assistant CD.

 

And very well deserved.

[paulatsea]

Do you get to keep the arctic jackets ?

[NorbertsNiece]

7 minutes ago, paulatsea said:

Do you get to keep the arctic jackets ?

Yes and the shoe grips.

[paulatsea]

3 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Yes and the shoe grips.

Result !! That’s excellent 

[NorbertsNiece]

Ship art.

 

I've been able to get a look at this book. Have been really impressed at the range of art on the walls and on the shelves around the ship. I may not appreciate some of art although some are very thought provoking. Here's a selection from the book and a few close ups I took in the atrium earlier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 6, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

There's a new string quartet on board. Played a selection of Amadeus Mozart in the theatre last night. Watched on TV in the cabin.

 

We passed a massive wind farm during lunch today. Sun has come out but don't be fooled.... still blowing a gale out! Currently awaiting a talk in the Playhouse.

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

The very informative talk was introduced by Resty. First time I've heard/seen him since the new CD took over. Do Google Sue Stockdale. She is truly inspirational.

 

The view outside currently  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Congratulations Your Majesty on achieving this extraordinary milestone 👏 

We have the Syd Lawrence Orchestra playing tonight with an anticipated message from the lady herself

 

 

.

[NorbertsNiece]

Sparkling wine at dinner to celebrate the Jubilee; I understand there was some at breakfast too! 

 

Big band night in the theatre. Chris Dean's Syd Lawrence Orchestra were amazing and played a repertoire of Glenn Miller's music, actually playing WITH Glenn Miller from a film scene. Heaven.

 

Thanks for following.

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 19 / 67

Day 3 Norway

 

Good morning.

 

Very bumpy night.

 

We both received negative PCR test emails last night. LFT required before entering Norway; tests being administered this afternoon.

 

Marine traffic app not current. 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Deck 6, prom deck.

 

One thing I've only just realised..... have been used to seeing 'sick' bags on other ships strategically placed in weather similar to this. None here. Pity. Someone was quite poorly outside the theatre this morning. Hope he's ok.

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Tomorrow we are in Bergen.

 

Nestled between 7 magnificent mountains on the western coast of Norway, Bergen is considered the gateway to the fjords.

 

Bergen is known for its outstanding seafood options. Fiskepudding (fish pudding), fiskekaker (fish cakes), fiskeboller (fish balls) and Bergensk fiskesuppe (Bergen fish soup) are all traditional dishes. I have it on very good authority that a lot of fish is being brought aboard..... 

 

Originally an 11th-century Viking settlement, Bergen began to thrive in the 13th century, mainly due to the Hanseatic* merchant industry. Today, the history of the city is showcased through its many museums and historic architecture. Highlights include the 13th-century King Hakon's Hall, the 16th-century Rosenkrantz Tower and Bryggen—a major trading center of the medieval Hanseatic* League.

 

*Hanseatic League, also called Hansa, German Hanse, organization founded by north German towns and German merchant communities abroad to protect their mutual trading interests.

 

We are both booked on a morning included excursion.

 

Thanks for following. The rough seas hasn't abated my appetite sadly and we've both eaten well at Amalfi tonight

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 20 / 67

Day 4 Norway

 

Good morning.

Woke at silly o'clock. Sailing into Bergen currently. Back in the day I'd be out on deck! Have changed settings on Marinetraffic. Initially sailing NE then SE ish and just passed under the Askøybrua.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

My friend just took a call. Norwegian immigration have just been in touch. Apparently his passport has been reported stolen!! He has it in his hand..... 😲

Edited February 8, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[paulatsea]

14 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

My friend just took a call. Norwegian immigration have just been in touch. Apparently his passport has been reported stolen!! He has it in his hand..... 😲

Sounds like a scam - someone trying to get a passport in his name - horrible timing. 

[NorbertsNiece]

Ok. Apologies for my radio silence. I've had one heck of a 24 hours and have pretty much come back down to earth. I'll share initially the posts I put on my social media page to bring you up to speed before sharing my pics of Bergen.

 

First post went like this :

 

I've had a rough 15 hours or so. And I'm not talking about the sea. My daughters don't even know this but all will become clear. There is a happy ending.

 

Yesterday evening, as we were about to change for dinner, I checked my email. Big mistake. HUGE. Email from NHS Track and Trace to say I've tested positive for Covid. To isolate until the 15th. That means it's from the PCR done in Southampton on the 5th. I've already received a negative test email. Ditto for my friend. 

 

I phone reception immediately. There are others present at reception with same issue. Email the receptionist a copy of the email. And wait. We were called back and given the all clear to go to dinner. I was a wreck. Didn't change. Downed a double Bailey's on sitting down. And another just before leaving. 

 

Email from National Health England says they're going to phone. Up to 3 times if necessary.

 

This morning we get a call in the room just before 9. From the Lab. They want to do LFT and a nurse comes to the room. And we wait. While we wait my friend gets his call from T&T. Explains he's on a ship. Books a call back for this afternoon. Negative LFT. We make our booked excursion. Just. More about that later. 

 

Whilst on the bus my call from T&T comes through. I explain I'm in Norway etc etc that I've received the negative test result and so on and to call me back. We've arrived in Bryggen and I miss the announcement from the guide. I ask my friend, who isn't going ashore, how long I have. 15 minutes he tells me. I take some pics and get back on the bus. He's not there. It's actually not my bus.

 

Part 2 will follow in due course.

[NorbertsNiece]

Part 2

 

My bus is gone. With my friend on board. And my rucksack. And my passport. And all my Krone. For all I know back to the ship. I'd been gone little more than 6 minutes according to time stamp on photos. Patrick, the lovely guide on the other tour bus lets me ride back to the port up front with him. My bus had actually parked up around the corner and the passengers had been escorted to a church. Info I'd missed thanks to the call from T&T. 

 

An email of apology pings in from Collinsons, the C19 people who had originally said we were negative :

 

"We can confirm that your test result is Negative

We understand some of you may have been contacted incorrectly by NHS Track and Trace.

We can only apologise to you for this and reassure you that the test results you have received are correct and valid. The glitch with the data received by PHE has been rectified and we have requested for them to cease further contact.

Once again, please accept our apologies for any distress this may have caused".

 

I retrieved my bag from my friend on his return, took the shuttle back into town, followed my feet around and walked back to the ship. Am only just beginning to unwind.

 

Susan if you're reading this I need some rescue remedy. Bisous x

[NorbertsNiece]

430pm

 

Just announced.

 

We're unexpextedly staying in Bergen over the next 2 nights to avoid the 32' waves anticipated overnight. Yesterday's max was 18'. Will miss Tromsø and Honningsvåg.

[NorbertsNiece]

1755 we were on our way back to our cabin. I've had a consolation Bailey's and been well and truly trounced at Scrabble. His phone rings.

 

It's Track and Trace. Remember we've both been told they won't bother us again over this particular matter. They want details of his contacts...... he was very calm and explained in simple terms why he wasn't about to do that. Not two minutes after he'd hung up he got an SMS in apology!!

 

Over dinner the CD, Tony, has said that Saga are putting on 3 catamarans for all guests to participate in a fjord viewing excursion tomorrow morning and to just turn up between 0930 and 1000 no tickets required. Well done Saga 👏 

 

We've already planned to go discover more of Bergen.

[NorbertsNiece]

Bergen. Pictures from a tour bus. Very little commentary. Houses have roof edges that slightly tip upwards with metal snow cake disrupters along the edges.... don't know what else to call them.... it's what they do! 

 

We pass the Rosenkrantztårnet, a 13th-century tower, once home to King Eric Magnusson, with relics & city & harbor views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 8, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

The Fishmarket.

We are given a 10 minute photo stop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 8, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[mcloaked]

What a saga!  It is more like a chapter in an adventure novel than a day in real life. Good that Saga seem to deal with these problems in a superb way. That hill with the cable car that takes you up looks picturesque with snow on it - when we were there first time it was 30C and needed all jackets and sweatshirts removed and was still too hot walking around the forest trails at the summit!

Edited February 8, 2022 by mcloaked

[paulatsea]

49 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

1755 we were on our way back to our cabin. I've had a consolation Bailey's and been well and truly trounced at Scrabble. His phone rings.

 

It's Track and Trace. Remember we've both been told they won't bother us again over this particular matter. They want details of his contacts...... he was very calm and explained in simple terms why he wasn't about to do that. Not two minutes after he'd hung up he got an SMS in apology!!

 

Over dinner the CD, Tony, has said that Saga are putting on 3 catamarans for all guests to participate in a fjord viewing excursion tomorrow morning and to just turn up between 0930 and 1000 no tickets required. Well done Saga 👏 

 

We've already planned to go discover more of Bergen.

Jeez - what a total fiasco - glad it ended up ok -l would have needed 2 bottles of Baileys.

 

onwards !!!! 

[NorbertsNiece]

The National Theatre, opened in 1850 one of the first writers in residence was Henrik Ibsen.

 

The Johanneskirken church.

 

Walk around Bryggen, National Heritage Site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 8, 2022 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

It's at this point I find myself very briefly alone and pennyless without ID in a foreign land. Ok. I had my phone with Google Pay and could've checked into the Sheraton (at Saga's expense) and would not have starved!

 

Rescued by the lovely Patrick from another Saga tour bus am driven back to the port. When my original bus pulls up I retrieve my rucksack and head back to town on the shuttle. First stop the Fishmarket which was rather empty but still had plenty to look at.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 8, 2022 by NorbertsNiece