Temp ~50f, Fog (ship sounding fog horn)
Our first full day on Rotterdam VI is a day at sea, in transit to Stavanger, Norway. This worked well, as we used the day to refamiliarize ourselves with the ship and its features. It hasn't changed much, still a fine ship. But it shows its age in spots, such as few electrical outlets. Wifi works.
D got up and went to 0800 mass while I dressed, then breakfast in the Lido. We returned to the cabin. Later I went off looking for a thing called Military Muster. Not enough people to play pinochle showed up for that, so I went to the Crow's Nest to look at the fog and read a Douglas Adams book. I returned to find D sleeping on the couch and saying she hadn't slept well last night. She went off to the Kitchen event.
I went off at 1500 to the port talk of Ålesund and Trondheim. Interesting for the background on the towns. This person doesn't give excursion info, but info on the town so you can do it yourself.
At 1600 the four of us attended the Happy Hour in the Ocean Bar (Second drink for $2). Good time to chat and plan. This was followed by the 1700 Sip'n'Savor that featured a really tangy tidbit with a wine complement. The spicy thing had a long aftertaste. At 1800 came the repeated port talk on Stavanger that we missed yesterday.
At 1900 we joined Fran & Duane in the dining room for the "Gala" dinner. Gala means ladies dress up and the guys put on minimal dress clothing like blazer-n-slacks. I did wear the squirrel tie daughter Susan gave me years ago. We declined an invitation to the comedian's show and returned to the cabin for relax and bed.
A very good day.
Historic Note
We're encouraged to learn things on trips. Today we have one opportunity. One hundred three years ago, the greatest naval gunnery battle ever fought took place in the waters we'll traverse today. The Battle of Jutland has been viewed as a tactical victory for Germany but a strategic victory for the British, who retained control of the North Sea.
In the battle 31 May & 1 Jun 1916, the German Navy lost 11 ships and 3,058 casualties. The British lost 14 ships and 6,784 casualties. On the second day, everyone went home.
There are a staggering number of analyses of this battle and its aftermath. I'm bringing along The Battle of Jutland by Geoffrey Bennett. The very highest overview of the battle can be seen in a new page here.
We're encouraged to learn things on trips. Today we have one opportunity. One hundred three years ago, the greatest naval gunnery battle ever fought took place in the waters we'll traverse today. The Battle of Jutland has been viewed as a tactical victory for Germany but a strategic victory for the British, who retained control of the North Sea.
In the battle 31 May & 1 Jun 1916, the German Navy lost 11 ships and 3,058 casualties. The British lost 14 ships and 6,784 casualties. On the second day, everyone went home.
There are a staggering number of analyses of this battle and its aftermath. I'm bringing along The Battle of Jutland by Geoffrey Bennett. The very highest overview of the battle can be seen in a new page here.
Photo Link
Memorial Day in the USA.
Our first Norwegian port - Stavanger - from 0700 to 1600. According to "Crew Center", we'll be the only cruise ship in port this day.
Stavanger map (comes up in new page, click on it to enlarge).
We've booked an easy bus/walk tour of Stavanger for this afternoon.
On arrival I went hiking the Blue Promenade from the ship in Strandkaien east to Østervågkaien. Fran caught up with me midway, then out-walked me and continued. I settled for up the hill to the Valberget watch tower. Then down the steps to the Skagenkaien and back to the ship via the little streets in the area of all the wooden houses. Picked up a souvenir for D on the way.
The first place visited was Hafrsfjord, the site of three swords vertically mounted in rock. Here in about 867 Harald Fairhair conquered his enemies. Thus started the Norwegian kings succession. Picture to the right.
We continued to a circa-1200 church that has been rebuilt a few times but is now in good shape. Unfortunately, the doors are framed in glass for viewing but admittance is not allowed. We could not tell if it is used and if it is used, how do they get in?
There are two stone pillars on the grounds. One has the engraving "Astrid sister of King Olav Tryggvason married with Erling Skjalfsson", and donated by the local Lion's Club. No idea if this is a grave marker or just a sentiment.
Then we four did the Happy Hour in the Crow's Nest, including a Trivia contest that we lost. Afterward we adjourned to the Sip'n'Savor which was less than spectacular tonight. We actually encountered a bad bottle of wine and had to have it replaced. Humph.
We took a break then reconvened at the small-extra-fee Canaletto for Italian food. Nice food and good Chianti. Great conversation and just a lot of fun. When we finished that, we were finished. Back to the cabin to rest.
The bed animal was a small dinosaur.