3 October ❌ SEPTEMBER !!2023

It r#*ned last night. The sound of it on our cosy cabin roof woke me from my lounge a few times, and I couldn’t help feel grateful that I wasn’t one of the two guys camped in tents just down in the field in front of us. I was also very grateful to not have had to make that long trek, in the r#*n and the dark, to the Amenities block.

This is our first r#*n since arriving in Norway and as this country is renowned for being very wet, we’ve been incredibly lucky and are certainly not complaining. Our wet weather gear has been moved from the big bag into the little backpack for quick and easy access!

My walk to the amenities block in the daylight, via the back of our cabins revealed this impressive hill and three waterfalls that I didn’t notice yesterday.

We farewelled our little “World Heritage Camping Cabin No.6” and headed back though all those switch backs to Geiranger for our next big adventure.

Shops are shut on Sundays, so we were once again limited for choice. We did stumble across a little café in Geiranger to sample the local coffee. A little coffee art, and a nice atmosphere earned todays offering a solid 7/10 We didn’t feel the need for additional pastries today.

We discussed awarding a bonus point for the entertainment provided by the most delightful little one year old next to us, who smiled, giggled and laughed her way into our hearts.

Sadly, Grahame was having a bad hair day today, but I told him I still loved him!

Our “ next big adventure” appeared on the horizon.

It opened its big gaping mouth and swallowed our Ruby Red, along with four passenger busses and about 15 other cars. Grahame was convinced that there was absolutely no way we would all fit on board, but he was wrong (again). The boat loader people pointed to each car driver in turn, having visually ranked us on size and shape, (the car, not the passengers) and directed us on and into the perfect sized gap. Like a piece in a jig saw puzzle. Getting out of the car was a bit squishy though, but we all made it!

We waved goodbye to Geiranger, and made our way along the Geirangerfjord

We sailed past the Seven Sisters Waterfall, so called because it consists of seven different streams falling around 250 metres to the fjord below.

The legend has it that the “Seven Sisters” were all unmarried, and the waterfall on the other side of the fjord has been called “The Suitor” after several unsuccessful attempts to court the sisters. He is said to have “turned to the bottle”, and this can be seen in the base of the falls.

Emily and I enjoyed watching the other passengers’ attempts to get the perfect photo. Our favourite group , dubbed the Party Girls, kept us entertained throughout the trip, racing from one side of the boat to the other, and using various combinations of poses.

We thought we’d have a go. This is the best we could do.

The ferry trip lasted just over an hour and was definitely the highlight of the day.

It was time to return to Ruby Red and prepare to drive out the back end of the ferry at Hellesylt.

Hellesylt was a lovely little village with yet another raging torrent tearing through the middle of it.

We drove on, alongside Nordfjord, to the town of Loen. Despite the cloudy skies and the occasional light r#*n shower, the scenery continued to be stunning.

We made a quick stop here to stretch our legs, and grab a bite to eat.

Our afternoon drive was one of contrasts. There were cruise ships moored in little villages, rocky outcrops (some with glaciers attached) and many kilometres of long, dark tunnels to negotiate.

We were happy to arrive in Sogndal, our destination for today. We had found accommodation with enough beds for the three of us and it even had its own bathroom! The view was not bad either!

A walk along the waterfront was in order and it didn’t disappoint.

There were some quaint little sheds along the walkway in various states of repair, and behind them were perched some slightly more impressive sheds.

We spent ten minutes or so searching for a geocache in a rock wall, but we’re sadly unsuccessful. We haven’t registered any in Norway yet and figured this was a perfect opportunity, but no such luck. Maybe tomorrow!

Of course, every nice walk should end up in a pub and Grahame was thrilled to discover this one had a sports bar full of TVS all showing the Arsenal v Manchester United game. There was no budging him. The locals were all Arsenal supporters, even wearing the team jersey, so Grahame was in his element. I apologised to Emily for two hours of our holiday being spent in a dark dingy sports bar, only to realise that she was staring, fully invested, at the TV on the opposite wall.

So ended up just apologising to myself!

We all returned home happy (Arsenal won 3-1, after a 1-1 score line til the last few minutes and I caught up on my photo editing). We celebrated our day,and Arsenals great win, with a G&T out of a plastic cup.

Not a bad Sunday drive at all!

Happy Fathers Day Dad!!