Hello Everyone!

Well that was a little bit of a longer break from blog land than I had planned! So much to catch up on...

I am not sure what I have done with the layout of this post....so be patient there seems to be lots of big gaps which I have tried but failed to get rid of!





We have been on our summer holiday, spending one week in North Devon camping and a week on a cruise of the Norwegian Fjords. We did have a week at home in-between, not a good week, but it does not matter now....let's just say all is OK. Thank God,


So here she is, Nigella the sassy van. Our first evening in base camp.
The camp site was North Morte Farm in North Devon, a wonderful, clean, quiet site with everything that we needed and in a super location very close to the beach.

In the camper, my bed and time to show you the pretty heart that Lesley made and I won in her give-away. It looks perfect with the mix of brightly coloured materials I have used in the camper interior. Thank you Lesley, I love it!
















We loved this site as it was very quiet and so well looked after.









The walk from the camp to the beach is lovely. I needed a good walk, I think I used muscles that have not been used in a while, which is a bonus and makes me feel a little less guilty about all the camp food that we were tucking away!
A wonderful rugged coastline.
The weather was ok, although on the day we arrived we did drive through flooded lanes but were licky enough to have a small window of sunshine so the tent was put up Very quickly! The sea was quite rough for this time of year.













But then we had a couple of gorgeous sunny days. Just look at this beach, what more could you ask for.

There were little coves where you take shelter from the wind.... yes this beach is for surfers! not me though, although I must admit I did look at the belly boards or whatever they are called and thought I would like to have a go, maybe next time!






This beach is just a short walk from the camp site and is called Rockham Beach.

Woolacoombe. A surfers paradise.

Lee Bay near Ilfracombe where I have spent so many wonderful summer with my parents. The little white cottage built into the rocks, has thick walls protect it form the sea which lashes against it during high and spring tides and has actually worn the stone away. Many years ago cream teas were served here. Now it is a holiday rental cottage. Mill Cottage.
Cut into the rock are paths and steps which take you to Sandy Cove. These steps were cut out by smugglers.... so I was told!

Following this path, you are taken to a cove which has a few caves to explore. I found most of my beautiful Sea Glass around these coves.

As we climbed the steps I snapped the wonderful view of the cove.

And at the top, over the style and we are almost back to the road.

I love this place.

So that was a very little snippet of our camping week.

So now a little of Norway.........




Norway

This is Us! a photo of our reflection in one of the ships windows and the name of the ship carved onto a wooden bench. The Oceana.

The scenery is simply stunning, it was so quiet, so still, everywhere!

Our ship slowly and so very quietly, sailed through the amazing Fjords.

We woke early every morning and pulled back the curtains to the most amazing sight. We lay in our bed with a nice hot cup of tea and toast,delivered by our canin boy! saying nothing, we just lay and looked at the breath taking views from our warm and cosy cabin.

Almost every day we went to a different part of Norway. Two days were spent at sea, which is a good time to just relax, read a little, take a swim, see a film, eat....so much eating with 24 hour service you have to be very constrained!

After breakfast in the resaurant, usually just a bacon sandwich, we would disembark and set off to explore either a small town or the stunning countryside. We did do two organised excursions on of which was a trip to one of Norway's biggest Glaciers which was very interesting but a little scary. We were in a little rubber boat at the bottom of the Birkstall Glacier listening to the guide and all the while we could hear little cracks in the ice forming and ice falling, which happens and has always happened since time began. The glacier grows and shrinks continuously. I was afraid of an avalanche! The glacier was the brightest ice blue ever.

On oujr way back from the glacier we stopped at this very pretty little church, which was re-built as the fist one blew away!

The Promenarde Deck. The Oceana is a nice size ship, very traditional in decor. We liked this ship very much.

I know Norway is the land of the midnight sun, but I had not expected to see it! all I go on about going to see the Northern Lights in Norway some time!

Amazing.

On our first night we came out of the night club, the first night is always a bit of a special celebration with a sail sway party on deck and an invitaion to the Captains reception party, lots of free champange! anyway we left the club...and decided to go out onto the Promenarde Deck for some fresh air, we was so surprised to see quite a few other passengers outside too, just looking at the sun as it very slowly sank below the sea.

The picture below was taken at 2am.

Bergan was an impressive City. The people so friendly. We were so lucky, Norway was having a bit of a heat wave while we were there!

You would love all the shops!

And the wooden buildings!

All Aboard!

Returning to the ship we would sail away with music, dancing and ships horns blowing onto the next port of call. The picture above shows just how close to the land we sail.

The Vikings would plant grass and wild flowers on the roofs of their cottages to keep the heat in. They were very Eco friendly back then!!!

Well I could go on and on. I took lots of photos but I must not keep you much longer. So I will say goodbye and leave you with a Norwegian Troll! Don't you just love them!
























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