MCS Norway

 Friday 19th May 2023

First impressions - not good, but not bad (apart from the rubbery chicken)

It's a big ship and I have yet to find a way to get outside - the atrium is quite impressive. The cabin is quite spacious, has a phone and coffee facilities, but at the moment the Gin is working. A few hours later and I would have had to use the umbrella. 

Saturday 20th

At Sea - I was surprised to be able to pick up a signal on the phone. Turned out we were following the Danish coast which was why there were so many ships around being 20 stories up helped as well I suspect. Found the Sky Lounge which was adults only and not too crowded at first. Gala evening, so after an afternoon tea (and lots of cookies) I retired to my cabin and hid. Mixed Coffee and gin, which had me going to the loo every 10mins. Got the book finished getting to sleep early.

Sunday 21st Haugersund.

Up at 6am and ready for breakfast early as the fog cleared and we entered Haugersund. 

No announcement when we could go ashore but I wandered off at 10am. Four and a half thousand people crossing the bridge into town. Picked up a map and did the walks I had planned - but in the opposite direction to that planned. Nice and got a little green bar on the phone. Back on board about 2pm and had a siesta. Failed to find anywhere quiet and comfortable to sit and read new book, so I am back in the cabin. Haven't activated my cruise card - charges are ridiculous - behind the scenes navigation tour 1.5hrs for £42. Gin tasting session wasn't priced internet £10 per day of £15 to stream.

Due to sail at 1800 

Monday 22nd Olden

Up at 4am in order to see the voyage up the Fjord. Fantastic but why did it have to be so early. Breakfast at 7am and back to cabin to rest and change.

Out and walked up to the waterfall and then climbed up to the viewpont. Couldn't have been better weather. Felt sorry for the Japanese couple who wanted to walk to the Glacier, getting up to the viewpoint was hard enough. Particularly since google maps tried to make me climb a cliff. Followed the signs. Back in the ship by 1.15 and time for a siesta. Downloading photos by Bluetooth is slow and noisy. 

  Watched the departure and took in a short show - Some mind reading comedian. Still finding my way around the ship. Phone charger is misbehaving and taking forever to charge the thing.

Tuesday 23rd Flam

Up at 5am shower and dressed. Overcast, the edge of the Fjord going up into cloud. This Fjord is 90mls long but I only caught the last 10 miles as we arrived at Flam at 7.30. Wandered 6 miles up the road, wonderous scenery and waterfalls, and I eventually got the hang of the train timetable. Except that I decided to climb to the railway and got the timing wrong, thought I would have a heart attack! Too many pictures. Bought the compulsory fridge magnets and tried to rush back on board. That didn't work as the line was hidden inside the ship. All a waste as there were no cookies on display anyway. 

  Attended the ealy show The Abba Songbook. Still trying to decide if I lke Theatre. By the time I had been back to the canteen it was quite late and I was tired.

Wednesday 24th Kristiansand

Except that we are not due to arrive until 2pm. So a lie in to 8am. Skipped the cooked part of breakfast but got a little carried away on the pastries having discovered the sticky buns. Too cool to sit outside and I suspect the Sky Lounge will be pretty full so back in cabin doing photos.

  Arrival on schedule and wandered off ship. Port Wi-fi was good and updated apps and downloaded some more radio. Wandered along the waterfront. An interesting sundial seen. couldn't work out how I might make one. Then on to the park as intended. Wandering was great. Toilets and interesting city park with an isolated area behind. Followed the orange trail, but got worried that I was running out of time so didn't make the target lake but te other were beautiful. Called at the rail station, no trains scheduled - just a stop on the line between Stavanger and Oslo.

  I just happened upon the McDonalds and had an ice cream (would have had a milkshake but I didn't see it until too late - and resisted) managed to get chocolate sauce on shirt, it came out in the wash. Was downloading photos via Bluetooth when we left port so missed that, but did manage an extra meal.

Thursday 25th At Sea

The clocks went back by an hour, so I thought I was getting up at 8am - turned out to be 7am. Breakfast again No Pumpkin Seeds, but lots of sticky pudding, Decided it is really Lardy Cake but done as chelsea buns. Latest book is really annoying  but the large type makes me think I can get through it before too long. Which I did and got onto the Clive Cussler. Interesting the way they reflect the concerns of the day. Food and Food, passed Dover about 8pm and retired.

Friday 26th Southampton

Up at 6.15 in order to get showered etc, have breakfast and pay off my cabin bill. Off the Ship at 8am. Found McD and stayed until 9am. Wandered to Decathlon who didn't have the boots I waw last time and would have bought. Visited Currys and then had to wait for the midday train at Soton Central Station. Train was very crowded, but I got a seat. Train to Barry left from platform 6 which is unusual, lots of youngsters on it going to Barry Island - so they decided to terminate the train at Barry and make them walk to the Island. They nearly ended up going back to Cardiff as they didn't hear the announcements. Home around 4pm. Dog walking arranged for the morning.

All Photos can be seen at https://photos.app.goo.gl/fZyAe5e5EQkfE7sT7