July 16th 2024-Trip to Bergen

16/7/24

Had been motoring all day, tried to sail but not enough wind. Strange thing sailing, wind either too much, too little or wrong direction. Quite a fussy sport! Pulled into a small cove and a village called Rott (translation Rat). A local family came to our aid letting us know where we could tie up and chatted about who we were and where we had come from. Very beautiful spot only a few houses and a pub that only opens when the harbourmaster feels like it, as he has the key. It consisted of one table in a small room in the basement and the beer flowed down a pipe from above to the hand pump.

Our first taste of Beautifull Norway

Walked around the island which consisted of goats and Xmas trees, bumped into our new friends again who insisted on inviting us into their home to meet Gran and Gramps. The house had been the great grandmothers house and in the family, since it was built in 1875 as the school house. They now use it as a holiday house.  There are about 80 houses on the island all supplied by well water, no other shops or services and the only access is by sea.  The 2 sons were delightful 21 and 19. One had just finished his military service, (didn’t realise that was a thing in Norway) and both claimed that coming to this remote island was the highlight of their holidays. A refreshing idea in this day and age.

The most wonderfull Family- 3 generations

Left Rott early and motored most of the way. As it was getting late we took a punt and ducked into a little place called Kolbeinshamn- a second delightful little bay. Again the locals were very helpful and even got out and moved another boat so we could fit in. On the way  we went under our first bridge. Quite scary as from underneath you look as though you will hit it even though you have a few metres to spare.

Bridge on the way to Begen- 40 m but felt very close shave!!!

18/7/24 

Headed to Bergen via multiple waterways each as beautiful as the next, surrounded by hundreds of Christmas trees. We arrived at Bergen harbour which was full of Cruise Ships and working boats. Further in there were multiple motor boats rafted up, side by side 3-4 deep, and eventually 7-8 deep!!.  Bruce Springstein had a concert  at the weekend and all these boats were coming in to see it. Crazy busy added to the hundreds of tourists flowing off the cruise ships. Due to our size the harbour master gave us a mooring in a side harbour tucked away from the mayhem with easy access to town.

Suzanna and John left us here and we had our first night alone on the boat.

Bergen is a very pretty city full of coloured wooden buildings, numerous outdoor restaurants and a food market by the dock. There is a funicular railway up to the top of the mountain where there are magnificent views of the city and the harbour. We walked to the top, about 3kms through trees and a Troll Forest. Norwegians seem to have a strange fascination with Trolls.  

Chris found another Chandlery and of course bought more stuff and spent the afternoon attaching the fire extinguishers, EPIRB, hooks etc and finding places for everything. Everything needs a home on a boat. In fact multiple trips to Chandlery and hardware store- of course dont really know what one needs till you get there!!!