Bergen and Grieg

Sunday, May 25, 2014
Voss, Western Fjords, Norway
Took the light rail into the city - such a sensible idea, as we had seen in Charleston, North Carolina years ago.

Walked to cathedral that was shut, then to the harbour, huge fish market just setting up for the day, and the Unesco listed old town (Bryggen), all built of wood . Much of it was burnt down in 1955, but restored some years later. Admired a beautiful 1914 sailing ship on the wharf, looked at numerous oil rig tenders then walked to the medieval Bergenhus fortress and the Renaissance Rosenkrantz Tower, a fortified tower from 1560s.

Then we took the Floibanen funicular railway up Mt. Floyen, 320 metres for fabulous views of city, harbour and adjoining fjords. Definitely a lovely city we would have liked to have seen more of. Warm and sunny by lunchtime.

Back to camp, then drove to Troldhaugen, home of Edvard Grieg and his wife. Museum, villa, composing cabin, 200 seat concert hall, with grass growing on the roof, (as we have seen all over - insulation??) and their graves hidden in the rock face, all overlooking the fjord. Such a great place, so peaceful and well arranged for visitors.

Decided to do a few hours driving, along more beautiful fjords and mountains, towards Oslo.

Today we have seen dozens of motorhomes on the road, and a few caravans, after seeing very few. Like someone turned on a switch - "Summer is here!"

Not sure where to camp until we came to Tvinnefossen Falls, so spectacular we HAD to stop. 160 metres high, numerous terraces to make the cascades breathtaking. We climbed the path for photos and got wet with spray, then camped at the bottom. Nothing will wake us tonight, over the roar of the water.

Norway gets better every day!
Other Entries

Comments

Ian & Ingunn Scrimshaw
2014-06-07

A&J we missed you by a week.

2025-05-22

Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank