May 23 - Bergen Walk About

Today was a more typical ‘Bergen day’, i.e., rain and drizzle intermixed with low cloud on the surrounding mountain tops. We began our day by sharing a ’gourmet’ (the only one we had) apple for breakfast. Our apartment has no groceries (our choice), but otherwise is comfortable enough.

After our sumptuous and filling breakfast in the apartment, we headed down the many steps and switch-backs to the main street below, and homed in on the closest bakery for coffee and a pecan pastry. Sherrill says, “Yum!” Thus fortified, we headed down Torgalmenningen to see the Royals open the Bergen International Festival. While waiting in the rain and drizzle for the King and Queen to arrive, we listened to the Royal Guard band and some local school bands as they prepared for the occasion. We were also able to visit briefly with Martin (son of Ragnhild & Anders neighbours in Oslo) who plays a saxophone in the Royal Guard band.

Next, we headed back down the main street towards the harbour where Sherrill made a quick stop at a local quilting shop while John took some photographs of the Bryggen area around the harbour. The Bryggen area was in 1360 the site where German Hanseatic merchants set up their import/export offices that dominated trade in the area for the next 400 years. While the buildings have been destroyed by fire several times during their history, they’ve been rebuilt and are now a UNESCO Heritage Site. These old wooden buildings have settled and sagged over time with the result that there are few square joints in the walls, windows, doorways and narrow alleyways. The eccentricity of the architecture gives a special feeling to the many interesting shops and restaurants located in Brygen.

En route to the Bryggen area, we stopped by the ‘Fish Market’ at the head of the harbour where became acquainted with local varieties of Wolf-fish, Monkfish, Atlantic Catfish,and many other varieties. We also sampled smoked and marinated salmon and whale … yes, whale! M-m-good!

After recharging ourselves at a local indoor food market for lunch, including ice cream for Sherrill (John was forced to have some too), we headed up Mount Floyen on the Floibanen. This is a 844 m long funicular railway with slopes from 15 to 26 degrees that ascends 320 m above Bergen. The views of Bergen were spectacular, and we timed it just right to miss the heavier rain and fog. While the weather closed in, we headed for the restaurant that overlooked the city for a coffee and another pecan pastry (just as good as the ones from the morning).

As the rain eased a little, we wandered up and down through the narrow streets behind the Bryggen area, marvelling at the narrow passages, many stairs and almost 360 degree turns on the roads as they switch-backed up through the houses. Being ‘older’ folk, we headed back to the apartment for a quick nap before dinner while the rain continued.

By the time we headed back down the hill for dinner, and then back up to our apartment, we were ready to finally slow down for the day.