I really ought to write my blog as soon as I come back from holiday so that I don't forget the little details... Anyway, here is a recap of our long weekend in Norway from back in August. Unfortunately Norway was having one of their worst summers on record, so it felt more like a late autumn getaway, but nevertheless, the scenery was outstanding. My one regret with the trip, instead of sticking to my guns and going to Stavanger to do some spectacular looking hiking, was trying to see both the Fjords and Oslo and not getting what I had originally hoped to out of the experience. That said, Norway is stunning, and I would like to go back to get amongst the scenery a bit more, and I recommend it to those who have the opportunity (and perhaps a spare mortgage - it is as expensive as they say!).
We flew to Oslo on Friday night and picked up our train tickets for an early departure for Bergen the next morning. Bergen, a small city on the west coast of Norway (approximately due east of Oslo), is also known as 'gateway to the fjords' and is surrounded by beautiful hills and fjords, and has a really interesting old wharf (Bryggen) and a castle.
Bergen was once one of the largest trading centres in northern Europe, mainly exporting Stock-fish (dried cod) from northern Norway.
 |
| On the way to Bergen |
 |
| On the way to Bergen |
 |
| On the way to Bergen |
 |
| On the way to Bergen |
We also caught a medieval festival held at the Bergenhus Fortress (Bergen Castle / old Royal Residence), where we saw traditional crafts for sale, reenactment of battles, musicians, firing of long bows and Shaun's favourite, firing a trebuchet (catapult). The fortress itself was also quite interesting, with the oldest buildings in the complex built in the 1200's. It was also used by the Germans as a base during WWII, and unfortunately a Dutch trading ship then blew up in the Harbour and destroyed most of the impressive hall (since restored).
 |
| Top of the funicular |
 |
| Top of the funicular |
 |
| Medieval Day at the Castle |
 |
| Medieval Day at the Castle |
 |
| The trebuchet |
 |
| Bergen |
 |
| Bergen |
 |
| Bergen |
 |
| Inside the old wharf |
We then spent one last day exploring Oslo. We went to the viking museum which houses several viking ships which had been uncovered from the surrounding farmland and had been used for burials. We also went to the Fram museum, the ship that the famous Norwegian explorer Amundsen sailed to the north pole (as well as the Antarctic) in. The ship is said to have sailed further north and further south than any other wooden ship.
