The Trip To Bergen And My First Day 30,June 2013

I got up early finished my packing, had breakfast,  felt really sad about leaving this beautiful place and my friends,  but it was time to go so we all set off for the bus (I do struggle because its the best one I have ever been on) seems there is no word for coach in Norwegian,  there was plenty of room on the coach so settled back intending to take photos but we were traveling to fast,  we changed to another bus and it filled up as we traveled. the weather was quite warm, and sunny

We eventually reached the ferry so it was a chance to stretch my legs, use the toilet and have a sandwich, by the time I had done this the ferry was docking, what I had not realized was that I should of been on the coach, oops,  I rushed off after it, fortunately it stopped to pick up other passengers so I was able to board without any embarrassment,  then off again to Bergen, just for a change I slept for much of the way despite the fact the driver seemed  to be going quite fast.

Finally  I arrived at the bus station and thanks to Mykles excellent directions was quickly outside the hotel which was opposite the train station,  it seemed very grand from the outside, even more so when I entered,  the young lady was very pleasant and quickly booked me in.

this photo is typical of the layout of the hotel, I now regret not taking more,

I went to the room it was old worldly and spacious, but a little warm for me despite the fact the windows were open, again no air conditioning,  the bathroom was much better, only problem was the towels were a little worn,   but not worn out, there was also a surprising shortage of storage space,  although there was a refrigerator with a range of drinks to buy, on the table there was a basket with snacks,  when I read the prices they seemed quite expensive, again thats based on English prices, not in Norway which is a rich country, but I was later to find they were not so bad, there was also a decent size safe that took everything including my large camera  and was free. The bed was a double and looked very comfortable,  I unpacked had a shower then changed before my first expedition into the town, the receptionist was very helpful and showed me the route to the harbour and provided me with a map.

When I got to the harbour I noticed the funicular to Floyen, it was bright and sunny so I bought a ticket for my next adventure,  I took photos as we climbed,

when I got out it was well worth the trip with views for miles in every direction of the harbour and sounding area, so many more photos were taken. I decided to walk along one of the tracks through the woodland,  somehow for a change I got lost, eventually found a signpost to put me back on track, it was beginning to cool down so only walked a little further before my trip back down to the harbour.

I did not feel like a large meal so settled on an enormous hot dog and a drink, I also purchased a very large piece of Carrot Cake to take back to my room for later, whilst I was catching up with my blog, I also watched tv for a little, there were tv channels in English with Norwegian sub titles,  I found a film on one which helped me settle, the bed was as comfortable as it looked so off to sleep looking forward to tomorrows new adventures.

Another busy day in Copenhagen, summer solstice

As usual we started with a good breakfast, then off to get the bus, unfortunately we could not work out where to get off so decided to use the metro, yet again we could not work out which sort of ticket but a lady kindly helped us.
We were hoping we would see lots to photograph on the trip to they centre,  sadly most was underground,  we got to the center then, took the escalator up into a store,  oops,  we quickly found our way out and set off looking for the Little Mermaid

and any other places of interest along the way along the way. for example we saw the royal theatre

Unfortunately  I did not record all the places we saw along the way, so may need Brians help later to edit,

I think it was the royal palace where we saw the guards outside and there were all sorts of statues, again I will have to put photos on when return home, trying to remember it all at 12 at night is a bit of a struggle made worse by my senior moments, there were lots of coaches full of tourists, along the way l needed to go to the toilet (see other blog) plus a cruise ship in the harbour, whilst there, it started to rain which quickly meant the people disappeared,  it only lasted a while, we made our way back to the centre and stopped for something to eat and drink as my back had set off again and I needed a painkiller, I settled for a pizza,  after this we made our way to the Town Hall where there were all sorts of activities taking place,

we passed a Latin American style band on the way, Brian bought us an ice cream each,

We went to Central Station for a look round and to catch the metro back unfortunately it doesent run from there, I have never seen so many cycles in one place at a time

I used the toilets there (see other blog) Brian had noticed there was something showing up in his viewfinder on the camera we could not remove it but managed to get it lower down on the screen hopefully it will not spoil his photos, then we went looking for the bus back as it was nearer than the metro,  we found the tourist office but it was closed,  which seemed odd in such a busy tourist resort, we found the bus stop but then were told it was the wrong direction, the driver sent us to the wrong street, but Brian  sorted us out plus we found the statue of Hans Christian Andersen and we were on our way back to the hotel, its a shame that it is surrounded by roadworks at present so is not at its best.

When we got off Brian said lets go down to the promenade as it was the Summer Solstice and lots of peple would be going there, I was amazed at how many people were walking and cycling there, couples family's and groups of friends,  both young and old, we wandered along, many had brought a picnic, particularly young couples,  one I noticed had rye bread, sausages and strawberries,  an interesting combination of food, we took a series of photos, then noticed that the sun was setting in the opposite direction,  just then there was a brief shower,  which quickly abated but many had already started to leave,

I forgot to mention earlier that Brian had kindly offered to carry my backpack to help me cope, normally I would not of taken him up on his offer but realised that it would help me to continue longer so many thanks Brian,  just after this we saw a beautiful rainbow in the sky so again out with the cameras.
I needed my painkillers that I have to take with food so back to our Chinese for a meal, what an odd combination I had of omelette chips with a mushroom sauce, whilst waiting I noticed the sun had changed to beautiful reds, so off for a few more photos, we then came back after the meal for an early night, ready for another busy day tomorrow

How to Use the Bus by Zorro

Well Zorro has struck again

He has sent from half way round the world this latest missive to help you travellers understand some of the pleasurers of being out there, when all we have to worry about is will it snow for christmas


There being no bus stops all you need to do is look for shade. Normally that is where you & any others will wait for the bus.
Now the hard part.When the bus stops( I use the term "stop" loosely) try to be the first on. It´s real bad luck if you are the only one waiting.The bus has three steep steps. The third step there is a turnstile!!! I am not making this up - this is what the driver does.Assuming you are the only one boarding he will only slow down. You have to grab the handles at the side of the first step and climb into the bus. There is much jolting and lurching that throws you off balance. This is because , apart form the bad roads, the driver is driving and trying to change gear, giving you your ticket and change, and has his cup of terére in another hand.Having got ticket you can negotiate the turnstile.Not good for me as I always have a day pack with me. Any poor soul ( normally me!!) is hanging on the second or first step.All buses get vendors selling Coca Cola, hair clips, batteries, sweets, bread, bananas, oranges, pineapples, etc this is not an exhaustive list . Those with nothing to sell sing or more entertaining tell you about finding god. These vendors do NOT pay bus fare. they climb over the turnstile complete with a dozen bottles of Coca cola etc. As they don´t pay a fare they wait till all the farepaying passengers are on board. This means very often they are running alside the bus while there are two or three on the steps waiting to pay and get through the stile!!! Incidentally young children up about 10 yrs old don´t not pay as long as they climb over or throught the stile.This applies to babes in arms!!

You are now through the stile and trying to keep your balance.You look carefully at the passengers. Where are most sat? Where most are will be the shady and coolest part of the bus. All these seats are taken before those on the sunny side.If there are any spare seats do NOT make a beeline for them. Are the seats over the wheel arches? If so there is no room for your feet. Very uncomfortable on long journey. If there are not near wheel arches examine very carefully. Usually it means the seat in broken and will collapse under your weight. On a journey of half hour or more you will move from a seat in the sun to one in the shade to one near the exit if you are lucky.

Once sat down you can enjoy listening to the venders spiel, feeling the cooling breeze from the open windows. There is always a breeze as the drivers make schumaker look pedestrian.Apart from the violent lurching life is great.

The moment you have dreaded. Time to get off. The bus will stop where ever you want. At traffic lights, in the middle of the road, anywhere. But how do you tell the driver? For you must exit at the rear of the bus. If you are very lucky it will be a bus that only has a turnstile at the front end. That bit of string ( really!!) that is on the roof, always on the right hand side is what you pull. If no string or string is broken there is usually a small button hidden near the rear door.If there are none of these then stand near the door. And wait!

Unfortunately, if you are the only one getting off then you have to get off while the bus is still moving. The kind driver has slowed down to walking pace.Buses are incredibly cheap but are not for the faint hearted!!

Moans of a Grumpy, Nearly Old Man ( Tog )

10 November 2006

Well what a period it seems to of been, finally today my aerial has been fixed so when I finally get my replacement DVD recorder, I shall be able to spend my evenings on these dark nights watching all my favourite rubbish & repeats on Freeview TV.

Recently I have been trying to use public transport both to save money, but also to do my bit to help save the environment.

Unfortunately what an experience using the bus and tram is. For instance why should the 98 bus which should be a regular service, go missing then 2 come together.
Twice this week it has stopped at a bus stop for 5 minutes twice on its way, before reaching Bury Interchange, making me miss the tram, resulting in me being late for work.

Talking of the bus why do they all brake so suddenly when coming to a stop, so that people like me with poor mobility are unbalanced, but then instead of complaining actually thank the driver as we leave.

This seems to be the norm with all the bus drivers I have come across in the last 6 months, is it possible that they are re trained in special techniques to upset the passengers, as in their other special skill, accelerating from the stop at great speed, ( I am told that the vehicles are automatic which should make it easier to drive), which is all made worse for us sad people with bad backs, because my spine is constantly shifted at great force from crashing against the seat, to being in mid air.

Also why do people not queue any more? and why does nobody get up from their seats for an elderly or disabled person?

On the trams why does one to Altringham seem to leave at 9.29 just before the concessions come in & people have the chance to buy their tickets from the machine at 9.30 and board the tram?


I realise that the trams have a timetable but could they slow down on the stretch between Bury and Radcliff to ease the noise & swaying for us older sad souls. Again, my poor back goes into spasm as it jerks between the air & the seat back. I suppose it keeps a whole range of health professionals in work putting the damage right.

Yesterday yet again there were problems on the trams with delays, I presume partly due to the problems caused by the crazy situation caused by the dispute between bus services in Manchester, with lots of empty buses queuing up on Mosley Street blocking the progress of the trams.


Last night there was obviously a conspiracy because it took from 4.30 to 6pm for me to travel the 12 miles from Manchester to my home, in fact I ended up going the long way round on another bus route, because the 98 had presumably got lost on its way from Manchester, because as my bus left the queue was still waiting at the 98 stop.

When I finally got home there was another note from my elderly neighbour asking could I call to give some advice. Just for a change I decided to wait until the following day to see her and finally relaxed totally exhausted.

17 November 2006

Well what a week I finally have all the stuff damaged by lightening replaced, but sadly non are the same make or model so I now have 5 new instruction books to work through I have connected up in some sort of fashion but still not sure what all the buttons do on any one piece of equipment, what a shame they do not make compatable easy to use equipment, or that my son does not live down the road so that he can sort it out for me.

Next moan is that I went to get new glasses this week & was told minimum was £140, so went to specsavers who have simple pricing (they say) explained wanted same as I had but not expensive, assistant said no problem but could have 2 for the price of one. Cutting long story short ended up with different glasses at £180, after coming out realise only needed 1 pair because existing pair still okay according to optician, well it keeps them in business.

Whilst wandering round the shops despite being 6 foot 2 tall & 15 stone people will insist in walking into me, but never seem to want to apologize, also why do they aim for the small gap between me and the wall, this has happenned 3 times today, what has happened to good old manners.

To cheer me up I am going to see Ken Dodd hopefully with my mate Andy tomorrow, so if I can remember I will try give a couple of the experiances I have to cheer you all up in the next episode.

I am trying to find some decent english blogs but have been suprised how hard they are to find although I have now found a real British site but it seems to have some very strange stuff on, in that which I have read so far.