Norway in a Nutshell

'Norway is a Nutshell' is a rail tour between Oslo and Bergen which includes a train journey across Norway from Oslo to Myndal, then a trip on a scenic railway from Myndal down to Flåm, at sea level, a boat trip along Sognefjord, a bus trip through breathtaking scenery and finally a local train into Bergen.

We were up early for breakfast. The buffet was available, but there was no one else about






The train left Oslo at 8 in the morning in comfortably warm weather.





The long distance trains are very comfortable with plenty of room between seats and free wifi. In addition to the usual dining carriage, there is a family section which includes plenty of space around the seats, so that there is space for prams or pushchairs and a playroom showing films for older children.






The playroom includes tubes to climb through




First impressions of crossing Norway are that there is a great deal of water and a huge number of trees.













As we climbed higher, we started to see snow on the hills and low cloud around us





The highest point we reached was at Finse, the highest railway station in Europe at 1222m



By now, it was dull and often raining but the scenery was magnificent. At busy little station at Myndal we changed trains to take the scenic railway down to Flåm on the Sognefjord, at this point 100 miles from the North Sea. It is Norway's largest fjord and there were two cruise ships anchored at Flåm.





We were lucky to be near a door when the train stopped in the station - we managed to get seats, but not everyone was so fortunate.




The route down the 900 metres to sea level was steep and when we reached a scenic waterfall, the train stopped and let passengers out to take photos. For the rest of the trip there was nearly always a waterfall in sight and at times ten.












In Flåm, we had a 30 minute wait before the boat left for the Sognefjord trip. The boat was crowded but again, we were lucky to get seats indoors.

The scenery was magnificent, but we were hampered by the weather

Some photos from the fjord trip







Free entertainment was provided by the piper of an Inverness Scout Group who were on the tour.



On our two hour voyage we passed small villages with pretty churches. One village was also the hydroelectric power station for Oslo.












It was most impressive to see mountains rising vertically above the fjord to over 1,000 metres.







At Gudvangen, we left the boat and boarded buses for a scenic drive to Voss which included a very steep descent down the old main road, now bypassed by a tunnel.













The final leg of the journey took us from Voss to Bergen where we would stay for the night, before sightseeing in Bergen, then returning to Oslo by train the next day.


Pat and John on tour

To Oslo

We left London on Tuesday in warm weather and arrived in Oslo in the late afternoon in much the same temperature. Our journey was trouble free and so we had plenty of time to spare. We took a train from the airport to the city and then walked to our hotel which is about 10 minutes from the station and easy to find.

This is the square just outside the station.





An evening buffet is included in the price of our room and so we enjoyed that before going out for an evening walk. We went first to see the Opera House in the harbour, which, like that in Sydney, resembles a ship



We found the building very attractive and loved the slopes and diagonals, but not the hidden steps that kept appearing from nowhere - very difficult to spot.









Pat liked the "paper tape" embossed walls.







This sculpture is just a short distance from the opera house in the harbour




and these buildings are also nearby. Just visible, between them and the Opera House is a huge construction site. Oslo is in the process of removing a hated transport scar from the city but it is impossible to envisage what the area will become.





A view of Oslo suburbs to the east.





From the Opera House, we wandered into the city centre. This is the Nowegian Parliament.





Then we retired back to our hotel. Tomorrow we will take two days to do the 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour, from Oslo to Bergen and back.

Pat and John on tour

On our way to Oslo

We are now on a flight to Oslo after 6 nights with Helen, Nick and Ernie. It has been very warm, really too warm for comfort and especially for Ernie. We looked after Ernie on Friday, Sunday and Monday while Helen and Nick worked, but on Saturday afternoon, we met with John's second cousin Georgina from South Africa and family in Finsbury Park.

Here we are in the Park: John and Linda on the left and Georgina and Michael on the right.





After lunch in a small cafe, we walked along an old railway track, Parkland walk, that goes past the back of Helen's house. Ernie had fun playing with Michael






Our routine with Ernie includes a visit to the local park, but there are several other parks around, one of which has a paddling pool. Ernie streaked with joy when we saw this and we walked all the way round the edge, each of us holding a hand.





In the local park, Ernie has been afraid of the sand pit, but is gradually getting braver and finally gathered all his courage and sat down in the sand.





He is particularly fond of the waterfall in the park and the pigeons that go to drink there. We have to time our visits carefully, because the waterfall is turned off at 5pm.






On Monday, it was so hot that we decided to go to the local cafe to cool down. The cafe is run by the local council and is next to an after school club. They do good cakes and croissants which Ernie is particularly partial to.





We will be in Norway for 5 nights - 1 in Bergen and the rest in Oslo, so the next post will come from there.

Pat and John on tour

Jenny's Jam at Pickled Pepper books

There is a superb children's bookshop in Crouch End called Pickled Pepper. As well as a very good selection of books, they have an area where children can play or have a book read to them and a coffee machine. They also have a number of sessions for children.

While we were here previously, we brought Ernie to some of the sessions, Story Time on Monday morning and Jenny's Jam on Friday mornings. Ernie is a little young for either, but he is getting more out of the sessions each time that we go.

Today it was Jenny's Jam, where Jenny plays a guitar and sings with the children joining in by waving flowers, making toy birds sing or waving rainbow ribbons.




Ernie spent most of this session sitting on the mat close to us and taking interest on what was going on around him.





All the children have an opportunity to play on the guitar





After the session, Ernie played in the shop and then we did our shopping on our way home up the hill.

This afternoon, as yesterday, we will go off to the park which is always well attended. Ernie is now walking around holding hands and had great fun yesterday trying to chase the pigeons.





Pat and John on tour

On our way to London, Norway, Glasgow and Cambridge

We are now on our way to London for a few days with Helen, Nick and Ernie. James is on holiday ay a music festival in Spain.

We took the bus to Béziers this morning and had breakfast in the sun on the Allée Paul Riquet while waiting for our connecting bus to the airport.

Beziers is preparing for the feria which takes place in mid August.

The theatre








Allée Paul Riquet




We had been to the cafe, Le Mathie, for breakfast on a previous occasion and breakfast was as good this time as before.





A close up of the statue on the building





Helen and Ernie were waiting for us at the airport. It was great to see them again and Ernie recognised us immediately.

Pat and John on tour