Monday 21st October

We relaxed over breakfast knowing it was our last gourmet breakfast of the holiday.  The day was grey and forecasted to get worse with strong winds.  We could see the wind whipping up the water in the outer harbour from our cosy and comfortable table.

I had checked the iPad last night and saw that the phone first had moved from the lost property building to a terminal, and now was back in Alesund. The iPad even located the exact building the phone was in at Alesund, despite the iPhone being turned off by the Brigit for air travel. 

I thanked God that it was sent yesterday, as today we were doubtful the smaller planes could land. We experienced 88kmph gusts of wind classified as gale force on our way to the airport. Later we heard there were lots of cancelled flights.  

I am rather an Apple fan, especially the convenience of linking our desk top iMac, iPad, and iPhone via the cloud.  It makes passwords and document access so easy.  I also find them far more intuitive than windows and android, although there was a small adjustment initially from Windows to the iMac, now I find it far more logical and easy to use. In deed, trying to get used to Verns Samsung and my work one is somewhat of a challenge.  We have also found the Apple system seamless to use around the world, being very easy to pick up on networks etc.

The route to the airport has two good length tunnels to firstly go under a rocky hill, and then the water to connect to another island.  When we emerged from the second tunnel we got to experience the hairy weather which was kind of fun in the little car.  The nav got us neatly outside the cargo building and we genuinely had to battle to get the car door open, and then to hold it open to get out without injury. 

Seriously the strongest winds we have been in that situation. The phone was efficiently retrieved and handed over, with the attendant confirming we were fortunate that it was sent last night. What a wonderful feeling to have it back; not because I am on it all the time, but for the useful tool it is for our travels.

I suggested to Vern maybe we could do the Atlantic road today as it would at least be spectacular with high waves and stormy conditions.  He preferred not to drive and go in those conditions, instead to go home and try and do a ‘final’ pack and get ready well in advance for our very early start in the morning. We also wanted to walk around town a bit more and perhaps get in a bit of last shopping for a tiny item or two. We also needed to fill the car up with petrol before returning it tomorrow.

Pulling into the petrol station we could see other people having a challenge refuelling with the wind. Again it looked a little bit funny seeing people bent against the wind and like a movie. We decided to go up the road to an alternative station that afforded some shelter.  Near the servo was a supermarket and bakery, which I suggested calling into to hunt a last cardamon-cinnamon bun, some packets of Norwegian dry goods to take home, and a couple of drinks for this evening.

The bakery had a lovely selection of still warm goods so we got a custard version and a plain.  They were nice, however our one in Ramberg was superior. The Sommersby pineapple and lime cider was very pleasant, as was an Irish cloudy IPA.

I have not posted too much on the price of things this holiday, as it is a bit depressing being confronted by the weak Nz dollar and exchange rates.  We have just tried to be as budget conscious as possible, without being miserly or miserable.  We think in local terms – is it good value? And do we really need or want it? If we get to a yes, we just buy the item and enjoy. Suffice to say, anything at the supermarket is far cheaper than in a restaurant.  On memory a cider is about 49NOK off the shelf and in the restaurant around 110NOK.

The day’s weather did not improve at all, although the wind weakened as the rain increased.  The town does not have covered side walks, so we saw no point in putting on full wet weathers and managing wind and umbrellas for a bit of sight seeing.  We had plenty to occupy ourselves with. Me catching up on some blogs and Vern doing magic with packing our luggage.

For dinner we planned to go somewhere special, but it was squally and wet, so we contented ourselves with a meal downstairs which was far nicer than the first night.  We shared a charcuterie platter of local meats, including reindeer salami. Followed by a large Norwegian seafood soup for me. Vern had the in season lamb shank.

I particularly enjoyed my soup, probably the second best seafood soup I have ever had the pleasure of eating. It was delicate and uncscious. The stock fascinated me, I think it had a chicken or pork base as well as fish.  It was slightly creamy, but not rich and the seafood was cooked perfectly.  Verns lamb was perfect, and the gravy super flavoursome, let light, with the overall balanced seasoning tasting of delicious lamb.

We managed bed a little bit early, with lots of thoughts rattling around in our heads as the Norwegian part of our holiday concludes.