My Last day the trip Home 4 July 2013

Woke up early, had a shower finish packing bags, had a coffee then down to reception to give back key to room. Made my way to the North terminal, went on shuttle to South terminal, then when looking for the train to St Pancras, was just in time, the train was fairly packed but at least I got a seat, when reached the station then decided to walk to Euston, walking with two cases took much more effort than I had previously remembered, when I got there I had breakfast then waited for the train.

No problems with seat on train or the trip back to Manchester, when I got there I made my way down to the Metro, unfortunately there did not seem to be any going to my destination, but no announcements or staff to speak to. In the end I got one to the centre then walked across to the other line then was able to get the tram home, from there I got the local bus, finally I got to my flat at the door was a load of letters, which I ignored, now back to reality, unpacked case, set washer off, because it was so warm decided to run a bath whilst checking my mail, the end of my holiday.

The Trip Home 3 July 2013

Having stayed up late in the hope I would sleep last night, no such luck, so in the end got up had a shower finished packing and had final breakfast, before checking out. Went to station got sandwich and cake for the trip, found seat, there was plenty of room so settled in for a relaxing trip.

Then two couples arrived at the last minute, three settled down very quickly, not sure it was right they took up eight seats in total, they had to pay the conductor, so presumably there was no problem but the man in front of me, decided to speak in a loud voice for the next hour, it would not of been so bad if there had been conversation but the others were busy on their tablets, this did not deter him. He finally got fed up and put his headphones on, well I dont know what he was playing but his head was banging backwards and forwards, I went to get a drink, the conductor was there so I asked if it was ok to move to the next compartment, he said was ok, at long last bliss.

Not so I managed to tip up my cup of tea on three occasions and had to then clean up the floor, before I realized that it was having my headset on was the problem when getting up from my seat

then spent time looking out of the window between trying to update the blog. I forgot to say earlier that yet again the weather was overcast during the trip, also because the train was travelling at speed, as quick as I spotted something I wanted to take a photo it was gone before I could get the photo, it was also hard to take in the scenery, but the ride and comfort was much better than on trains I have been on in the uk.

Finally we arrived at Oslo station, so took Mykles advice and had something to eat, in this case had a McDonald's, generally I have found them to be busy but very clean unfortunately this was not. I then found my way to the airport train, but needed help to solve using the ticket machine, then it was a comfortable ride out to the airport. As usual the process to check in was chaotic, first to a machine then to the baggage drop, it was supposed to be self service but I needed help using the scanner, then off through security and into the main departure lounge that was much less crowded. Eventually an announcement went out to say to go to the gate, did that but we had to stand outside as the door was locked, after about 15 minutes they finally let us in to sit down, there seemed to be a delay and then more people came into the area and created the queue, it seemed very disorganised, eventually we boarded the plane, I slept a lot the way, finally we landed at Gatwick and I went to collect my luggage, it always seems such a long distance from the gate to this area.

I then went looking for the shuttle that would take me to the north side of the airport and my hotel, when this arrived it was quite empty, when we arrived I looked for the way out, but by mistake ended up in the posh Sofitel hotel,

eventually I found my way out of there and into the Premier Lodge, there was no reception desk just a bank of machines with staff to assist, I do feel it actually slowed the process down, because if others had the same problems as me then it must have taken much longer to process us all. Eventually I got my room key, joined the mass of people waiting for the lift, when I finally got in the lift would not go up, it seemed yet again we had to scan a card before it would move, eventually sorted that out and got to the floor and my room at last. Heaven the room was bright spacious and even better had Aircon, in the bathroom was a real bath, I run the bath whilst unpacking my clothes, then had a soak, I have decided not to have a meal, so I bought a sandwich and cake and had these while watching TV, the bed was very comfortable so I had an early night.Only one more day before I would finally be home and it would be the end of my adventure

Last Day In Bergen 2 July 2013

Up bright and early today only problem is that weather still overcast, showered went down for breakfast,  made sure this time no problem with table being cleared. Went down spoke receptionist,  she helped work out how to find bus to the aquarium,, so why did I get lost yet again. I finally found the stop just as the bus was pulling away, unlike many british drivers he stopped for me.so off to the aquarium.  When I got there was surprised how busy it was and so many very young children,  not sure they all knew quite where they were or why.

As I arrived one of the staff was feeding some of the fish and showing a range of crabs, they all seemed quite ferocious with their huge claws,

I wandered in and first looked at a range of crocodiles, they were just lay there as if in waiting,

then onto observe different snakes both large and small, oops forgot about the penguins,  there were only a few and a they seemed to do was groom themselves,

maybe I was expecting something like Happy Feet with lots of activity,  then down in the lift to look at the tropical fish, was shocked there was Nemo plus all his family and friends,

I immediately took photos as evidence and sent as a text to my son for advice, I was tempted to rescue them, but for the large shark looking fish in the same tank,  maybe this is a good time to mention I still not heard from my son about this. I continued looking at the various tanks with  whole range of different types and colours. I then went back upstairs just in time for the feeding of the seals, quite a crowd had gathered so it was difficult to take photos as they surfaced then dived down again,  next back to the penguins,  that were so swift and graceful in the water

I was quite interested to find out that apart from some of the tropical fish many were from surrounding waters of Norway