So we made it to Norway,

The early morning didn't seem to be much of a problem- which leads me to wonder why other mornings are so hard. Two hours on the train and we'd arrived back in Geneva. Checking the boards at the terminal we realised our flight was cancelled. I was determined to let fate take us where it would, so tried not to worry to much and eventually found the desk for SAS- just happened to be the same desk as most of the other smaller carriers. The lady behind the desk was very nice and quickly found an alternate route through brussels to oslo - had us arriving at roughly the same time but leaving earlier.

After handing over boarding passes we went and played with the machines to get the bags on the plane - not totally automated you get your sticker and then go talk to a real person. Security was its usual, then we realised the flight was delayed so had time for a quick coffee. Once boarding we realised we had been upgraded - reading the flight magazine I realised cheekily that this would also enable us to use the airline lounge in Brussels- So We took advantage of that and had a couple nice hours in the lounge with food. Did I mention the upgrade also included food on the plane. Similar to Virgin and Qtas back home the demarkation between seat types was actually a little cardboard sign stuck with the velcro on the back of the headrest! The seat was the same but the service was different - Alcohol was included as well. so we were well fed.

Arriving in Oslo was fine the airport was fairly typical, we also managed to snag a couple bottles duty free to drink while in Norway - Ken a Dura whiskey and me a 10 year old port from portugal. Rather nice actually. oh and some apple cider! Hey why not... the 88k for the six pack paid for itself when you pay 60 krone in a bar!

Setting out I waited in one line to try get tickets from the machine only to have the computer say no. so eventually found a counter which costs more! but hey such is life. a little stressed by he people we arrived into Oslo itself - it was dark and teeming with people there was a comedy festival on and some concert never did work out who the concert was! we also took the wrong turn and walked the long way to the hotel! but we found it and were warmly welcomed.

The room was small but sufficient the bathroom was the only big issue, strangely it flooded the floor and the normal screen was on the wrong side to prevent the shower spraying into the hotel room!! as I said it was oddly set up. Still not a big issue.

Dinner that night was some kind of chicken dish lots of salads etc.

Breakfast the next morning Which I think was Sunday.. no must have been saturday was awesome! the breakfast buffet in Oslo was hte best.

Oslo itself well the weather was not good so after our big breakfast and slow start we went to the outdoor museum and the viking ships. the oslo/outdoor museum took us ages to get through and the sun broke through so hopefully some nice pictures. We stayed at the viking ship museum until they closed then jumped back on the bus into town. We considered going out but I was feeling tired so we went to the lounge , played cards Uno and relaxed.

Next day was a traveling day well the afternoon was a travelling day - this must have been Sunday as church was on! yes Church. We tried to do a wander around Oslo but the weather really was closing in so after a half hearted walk around the city blocks we returned to the hotel - where the reception area is warm and cozy, and we had free wifi to wait until the train time.

Arriving at the train station we worked out the trains were not running and we would need to catch a bus beyond Lillhammer - I forgot the name of the town Dumba I think but it was msotly dark by the time we arrived and transfered onto the train. Again being early gave us luck - we were on the first bus out so were the first to arrive - which meant our choice of seats on the train! So yet again we played uno while waiting for the other busses to rock up and the train slowly filled up.

Another four hours later we made it to Trondhiem, where we had another couple hours wait for the overnight train to Bodo. The train to Bodo had the smallest cabins very cute... Bunk beds and just enough space for us to fit with our bags..

Morning came and I went and sat in the restaurant carriage until it started to fill up closer to Bodo, where I went back to the cabin and woke Ken up. looking out as the fjords slided by was nice. but I don't recommend coffee on the train - it was dreadful again! Convinced Ken not to have a coffee and got him ready to move. Only to remember I didn't know where our hotel in Bodo was!! I had an adress but Bodo is a rather large town. So we left the train lugging bags behind us and headed towards the information center- as we passed the information center we found the hotel.. Entering the hotel to drop out bags we received awesome service - not only could we drop the bags but a room was available so early check in and ohhh breakfast was still on! So breakfast a hot shower we were ready o explore Bodo. The weather was patchy but we wandered and wandered and wandered and saw some interesting things! but we didn't travel further afield.

By now my cheap columbia sneaker/hikers were starting to breakdown - well on the inside no padding left under my feet - they were fine in the lake district but after wandering around Bodo all day they were hurting my feet a lot... so I now have a lovely pair of ecco hiking boots! Ha... couldn't afford them in Australia but hmmm nice shoes.

Today is our last in Bodo and we are waiting for the ferry again in the hotel reception area, Ken with a beer and me with the laptop typing up this blog. I havent forgotten lake district but the days have been interesting and well I've just not taken the time to blog.

Oh I nearly forgot.. my plan to go to Bodo to see the northern lights worked! Last night we saw them rugged up and headed out into the cold at about 2100 dashed to the pier (at least 1.5 km away by the time you get out to the end of it!) and got some shots. Boy was it cold I was in Thermal leggings, with windproof warm hiking pants, hiking boots. A wool vest, a long sleeve shirt, a polar fleeve vest, my puffer jacket, a rain coat, a scarf and a beanie and the cold was making its way slowly down my cheeks! Anyway we managed to get some shots and I felt really good because it was looking like the weather is going to be poo and cold (aways knew it was going to be cold but didn't expect a forecast of blanket fog!!!)

Anyhoo... time to head to the pier and get on the boat. The wind is still increasing and this morning as we did a gentle stroll around town it didn't so much as rain but hail fine hail that was more like being pelted with slivers of ice! luckily it passes quickly so you can wait out somewhere warm!

Connection on the ship is likely to be slow or non existent so will blog back in London... till then safe voyage with hopefully no sea sickness!