Hurtigruten

[Capt Bill Davies]

I notice in todays Times there are good deals offered for those wishing to travel on the 'Hurtigruten'. If this appeals to any of the membership I can recommend it. To mark my retirement in 2005 my wife and I took a round trip on the 'Polarlys' (Bergen to Bergen). The trip was around 12 days Bergen to Kirkenes return. You called at about two/three ports a days. The ports you called at during the sleeping time (go in Summer and you do not have night) Northbound you call at during the daylight Southbound.

You can tailor the trip to your own requirements. I would strongly suggest One leg , say North, and spend a lot of time in the Lofotens which is a must.
PS: Take your own spirits on the flight out and buy your beer from the 'Spar' shops in each and every port. DO NOT DRINK ON BOARD UNLESS YOU ARE WELL OFF.

Brgds

Bill

[John Cassels]

Thanks for that Bill , one of the things I always wanted to do but never got around to it.

Was apprentice on the Denholm cadet ship in '63 when we loaded ore in Kirkenes , winter time.
We did the inner passage all the way from Pilot Narvik to Kirkenes - never forgot it.

Good tip about the booze though !. What was the feeding like ?.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Long over due a return trip Stavanger and Bergen, Stavanger to see old friends, Bergen, where it always rains, just to repeat last time.

Best place then for booze was the cabbie.

Hail a cab to your destination, had a choice to visit the government store or your man would produce what you required from the boot / trunk of the taxi:

Stayed in Stavanger with a trip to Bergen, took what I thought enough cash for two weeks, was at the bank for more after a few days: But, what a time.

As said must return and thanks for the advise about the "SPAR".

K.

[Capt Bill Davies]

Thanks for that Bill , one of the things I always wanted to do but never got around to it.

Was apprentice on the Denholm cadet ship in '63 when we loaded ore in Kirkenes , winter time.
We did the inner passage all the way from Pilot Narvik to Kirkenes - never forgot it.

Good tip about the booze though !. What was the feeding like ?.

Good afternoon John,

The feeding was nothing less than first class especially if you have a preference for fish.
Buffet for breakfast and Lunch and have as much as you like.
Dinner was more formal in that you were served.

From day one I walked in with my oversized class of Red wine and nobody questioned me.
Buy a bottle at the table and it was £45.00.

Let the stewardesses now of your seagoing background and it does make a difference.

I spent about half an hour each day on the bridge. I did not recognise much of the equipment but then, I dont think the deck officers would recognise a sextant or be much good on an OBO.

Brgds

Bill

[Mike Hall]

bill,
you mention the cost of the drinks in norway.
back in july my wife and i did a norwegian cruise on the balmoral.
on a trip ashore we were passing a macdonalds in kristiansand.
we noticed the price of a big mac and chips in the norwegian currency,
when we got back on board ship,we worked out what it would have cost us
in the english currency,well i was shocked,over £10.00.
we were both so glad that we did not buy one,after all there was
enough food on the ship.never did have a beer though.
mike

[Capt Bill Davies]

Well Mike, Norway is in a very comfortable position in economic terms. The Norwegians themselves live a relatively austere life by our standards in the UK. Some of the ports ports you visit north of Tromso are nothing short of idyllic but the life there is certainly not grand. I remember going into a sort of village hall in one port (30/40 houses and a jetty) which was holding 'tombola' of sorts. Available at the bar in addition to Beer was the best fish soup I ever tasted.

Brgds

Bill

[Keith at Tregenna]

Well Mike, Norway is in a very comfortable position in economic terms. The Norwegians themselves live a relatively austere life by our standards in the UK. Some of the ports ports you visit north of Tromso are nothing short of idyllic but the life there is certainly not grand. I remember going into a sort of village hall in one port (30/40 houses and a jetty) which was holding 'tombola' of sorts.

Available at the bar in addition to Beer was the best fish soup I ever tasted.

Brgds

Bill

Available at the bar in the Rode sea House, Stavanger in addition to Beer was the best Mushroom soup I ever tasted. The special nights were amasing, Prawn evenings and Pizza specials and more:

Would have been, really expensive if not staying wtth friends, talking mid eighties.

K.