Saturday 22 August 2026

For those who wanted, the delayed Folk Museum tour set off at 08:45, then we all departed Stalheim at 09:30 for our journey south to the town of Horten in southern Norway to be near tomorrow’s ferry to Denmark.

Our lunch stop was at the winter ski resort of Hemsedal. Hemsedal is a prominent mountain valley town often called the Scandinavian Alps. Located midway between Oslo and Bergen, it is Norway's second-largest alpine ski resort in the winter and popular hiking, biking, and world-class fly-fishing in the summer. Nothing too exciting, but a well “stocked” town for a lunch break.

We journeyed on through a changing landscape, moving from mountains and valleys to flatter countryside and farmlands. Nothing new, exciting or different to photograph, but nice enough to watch the world go by! The hotel was more than adequate serving a pre-ordered full service three course meal.

Sunday 23 August 2026

The ferry’s timetable defined the day. We were up at stupid o’clock (04:00) to pack, have breakfast (05:00) and depart for the port of Larvik for an 08:00 sailing. The hotel was outstanding inasmuch as their normal breakfast time is 06:30, but before 05:00 they’d set up a full hot and cold breakfast buffet, one of the best we’d been offered.

The Colorline experience was much better than the outward sailing; nowhere near as crowded, a better designed departure waiting room and spaces available in the Business Class lounge, a perfect place for sleeping - quiet, comfortable reclining leather seats and an included buffet area with drinks and pastries.

We docked at around midday to endure the marathon trip across Denmark, into Germany to arrive at the Leonardo Hotel on the outskirts of Hamburg around 18:30.

Another good quality hotel, very well equpped room and an acceptable buffet dinner (it seems that all buffets in Northern Europe must include overcooked chicken!!!)

Plenty of time for a good night’s sleep. Departure tomorrow is at 10:00. 😀