Twisted sisters collapsed

The wheels fell off the Twisted Sisters cart today after a quick gallop down to Nyhavn for a waffle and ice cream , they have finally had to admit WADDA was a lot fitter than they thought. I still have energy to burn while they lay on the couch like a mangy dog . Because I only write the truth they now want to abuse me , I just shrug off their abuse and continue on my merry way. The cases are all packed and lined up for the early morning shuffle to the airport , so we head off to in search of our last supper in Copenhagen. The Atlas restaurant is nearby and reads great on TripAdvisor so we scurry around the corner to road test this hash house . Let me just say we were not disappointed it was bloody beautiful, as wander home through the back streets of Copenhagen I let my mind wander back over the last 5 weeks. The places we’ve visited all through Northern Europe have been outstanding the people so friendly and our safety never in doubt , but my standout spot was the Jungfrau high in the Swiss Alps . This white wilderness is forever etched in my mind and my strong desire to return sooner than later is never more evident . Now not forgetting the Twisted Sisters without them I’d be still dreaming about this holiday of a lifetime. I saw and admired these other beautiful countries but there is no other country more beautiful than my own.......... WADDA

Photos don’t lie

WADDAS resting today

After a big 5 weeks of touring through Northern Europe I decided to call for a rest day today , maybe I’ll sit in my jarmies and slippers for awhile. The tear arse sisters are on another trip to the castle country again, I’m all castled out so my plan would probably be a picnic in the botanical gardens not far from here . Maybe not quite like that because I’ve discovered a little noodle house a few streets from here ,  I might give that a whirl for a change . After my lunch I take an afternoon nap and await the sisters return from castle heaven, then we hit the cobblestones again looking for more junk. The sisters lead poor old WADDA on another wild goose chase looking at more junk, I calmly stay 3 steps behind because they are seriously focused on the task ahead. Several hours later we return to the main shopping precinct away from the back streets of Copenhagen , I’m sure there’s a reason for this type of behaviour but I’m not sure. We head off into the setting sun in search of food and discover a Chinese restaurant with a smorgasbord so we decide to pig out . More drama poor old WADDA has wiped toothpaste on sister ones bum towel , now she has thrown a wobbly .......Goodnight for now......WADDA

The botanical garden hot house 

My new bike 

What’s happened today

Overnight the sisters hatch a plan for a trip outside of the city by train, and while WADDA is still rubbing the sleep from his eyes we are heading to Copenhagen central station. Our first place on the tourist trail is called Koge, this trinket village is about 90 kms south of the capital. After an hour of fossicking around we head back to the station for more rail travel, and our next port of call is Roskilde an old Viking city . When sister 2 said we were here to row on a Viking boat Waddas reply was #$&&*#$ shit , they then threatened to tell everyone i knew I was a piker . I went down to the dock to check out this wooden floating leaking death trap only to discover 15 other suckers lined up to row as well , I had no choice but row to keep my reputation intact. Of the other oarsmen and women I reckon only 2 looked to have any idea of what to do and that included me, after what seemed to be a very long time they hoisted the sail as we floundered around and I said to myself thank god for that. With my reputation intact I leave this Viking town and catch my train back to Copenhagen for a beautiful cold beer, time to tell the sisters about the art of rowing a Viking man of war ship........... WADDA

Viking ship just like the one I was on

Trinket town Koge

Copenhagen photos

Nyhavn 

The palace 

Tivoli Gardens 

Let’s go and explore but first the washing

 Sunrise also comes early in Denmark so we decide to get the washing out of the way, this is easier said than done . The instructions are in Danish which we don’t understand but we try anyway , now this has developed into total confusion we’ve got the dirty clothes in the dryer instead of the washing machine . Where’s mum when you need help so we chat up the Garbo who knows as much as WADDA, some 45 minutes later we get the machine fire up and where happy. Today is forecast for 23c and not a cloud in the sky and I’m just wondering what the Danes will get up to in these sort of heatwave conditions. Washing is now complete so let’s hit the streets of Copenhagen and see what we can discover. The daily pilgrimage around the city is now part of our routine and again we start off with plenty of zip in our stride, and head to Nyhavn a very popular spot in Copenhagen. The next move is to Fred and Aussie Mary residence  ,it’s a big place but not much garden . Ice cream and waffles take our fancy next but we call it brunch by the canal , next the red bus to the little mermaid statue and on to the Tivoli Gardens. Now this place is incredible and something you would not expect to find in the middle of a city and another must visit if your in town. Sorry but it’s mid afternoon nap time , this lazy couple of hours has re charged my batteries and it’s off again to hunt down our evening meal. See ya tomorrow..........WADDA

WADDA and the little Mermaid 

Tivoli Gardens 

Copenhagen bound

Just filling in a couple of lazy hours at Bergen International Airport prior to our departure for Copenhagen, just a few minor things regarding our stay in Norway. Yes it is very expensive especially for food and alcohol, $44.00 for 3 schooners and the list goes on. But WADDA is not bitchin because the positives of Scandinavia are many, the people are very welcoming and friendly the scenery in fjord and countryside is something else and traveling on there vast stretches of water by boat is sensational . Whilst I sit here on luggage patrol the sisters are drooling through the  Duty Free shopping stores, more trinkets to use as landfill back in home in Australia . We grab a cab from the airport to our apartment right in main stream Copenhagen and the position Is perfect , the temperature is about 22c they think it’s 42 . We hit the streets to establish our boundaries so we don’t get lost and next thing I know is we are on a canal boat doing a 1 hr cruise. People are just everywhere drinking sun baking and also a touch of nudity, I look away whilst the sisters continue taking happy snaps. I’ll be back tomorrow as I’m running out of steam....... WADDA

Danish Royal yacht 

Inside the apartment 

Our trip to Rosendal

Geraniums 

Local pub

A leisurely stroll to the Bergen harbour for what will be our last day exploring Norway, because tomorrow we go to Denmark. This 7 hour cruise takes us south of Bergen to a place called Rosendal , haven’t heard much about this place so time to check it out for myself . We manoeuvre out through many other boats tied up including rescue boats and the odd ice breaker, once clear it’s flat chat. We are again heading towards the North Sea before heading south east passing many fish farms on our way,our arrival in this small Norwegian village is to have lunch in the Barony of Rosendal castle. After a uphill hike we finally reached the castle which was erected in the early 1600 hundreds and it sure did surprise us ,our lunch what’s provided on this tour so we hoed into some local smoked  sausage . Nosed around the house and surrounds before catching the fast ferry back to Bergen, after another 2 hours of speeding across these beautiful waterways it was so relaxing . Now for some happy snaps........WADDA

Half day trip to Skjerjehamn

Today was another adventure planned by the sisters this time we are heading north from Bergen to an island called Skjerjehamn , probably about 80 kms from Bergen situated right on the edge of the North Sea. This twin hulled marine monster has a capacity to carry 290 passengers with a cruising speed of 55 kms, that tells WADDA that this is money well spent. As we depart the port he steadily increased the speed and on this mill pond like water this thing is flying , at this speed the air outside is very crisp. Some 80 minutes later we arrive at this remote island and WADDA is half expecting Robinson Caruso to greet us in a polo fleece, no but there are people  giving the tourists a lovely waffle and jam and coffee (I like this island) . Our time is short at this remote outpost and pretty soon I hear those big Diesel engines making there return, we return safely back to Bergen. The Norwegians certainly know their shit when it comes to water travel , fast furious and clean. The sisters have informed me that tomorrow we are going on a fjords cruise again tomorrow , I don’t care because I can put up with this kind of stuff for a long time yet Now hopefully some photos...........WADDA

Bergen

After a big day yesterday we got of to a scratchy start this morning after another great breakfast, we are heading to the Finicular. This contraption will hoist us  up 800 odd metres above the city for some spectacular city views, and the sisters a keen to walk back down to the city. The views from up here are just beautiful and the walk back down was just as impressive , time for some coffee and cake to plan our next move. WADDA is liking the cable car ride up Mt Ulriken so we go our own separate ways ,WADDA to the cable car and the sisters to the shops sounds fair to WADDA. I get myself a ticket from a street vendor and await the bus, my arrival at the foot of Mt Ulriken was like having all your blood drained from your body. This is not like the German Zugspitz or anything the Swiss would operate this 10 person box hanging off a bit of cable looks primitive, I’m sure I’ll survive this ordeal. The box in the breeze gets me there in one piece and again the view is beautiful, my walk back to the hotel though the beautiful gardens of Bergen is just something else. I’d better check on the sisters they may be resting AGAIN or just hiding from me , no they have booked a boat trip somewhere off the Norwegian coast for tomorrow. Well I’m out of here for today.......WADDA

Bergen from above x3

It’s perfect

Today will be our longest day of serious sightseeing as we have plenty to see, and the 8 am departure from Bergen is where I’ll start. A big double breakfast for Wadda and we hit platform 3 for our train to Myrdal some 2 hrs out of town where we will catch the Flamsbana train down to Flam some 20 kms below. The claim to fame for this train that it’s one of the prettiest rail journeys in the world, now WADDA has traveled on other train claiming this title and so I shall see for myself. Not far into the downhill my brain just can’t cope what I’m seeing out my window it’s truly amazing, the train stops at the wildest waterfall you have ever seen. As people scramble out of the carriages for a few happy snaps I also stumble out for a closer inspection and it was just the absolutely breathtaking , the sisters have a sticky beak and take shelter back on the train. 1 hour later we reach the valley floor arriving at Flam , as I said I’ve done some of this stuff before and this certainly in my top 3 places to see before you die . The sisters have also added a different slant on our return journey by adding a fjord cruise back to Gudvangen, this 2 hrs trip looks like it might suit us adventurous type like myself. As we slowly depart the dock I’m thinking hope this mob got WiFi on board because it’s not really me ,10 minutes later WADDA wasn’t thinking WiFi he was out on deck in the Pissin rain and howling wind gob smacked at the miles and miles of Norway’s fjords . The 2 hour journey passes far to quickly but I’ll never forget this beautiful trip on the stunning fjords of Norway, the next piece of the puzzle to unfold will see us travel by bus some 50 kms to Voss. Back on land and the bus is rearing to go , and the bus WADDA and the sisters board is being driven by a female ( no disrespect) and we are still in mountain goat territory. Miss Poppet kicks the big Merc bus into life and we’re off on our way to Voss ,WADDA is in the very front seat opposite the sisters and we are not panicking just yet. As happens Miss Poppet turns off the main highway and starts heading up hill again and I’m now worried . I reckon she’s heading for the Stalheimskleiva and this just happens to be one of the steepest gradients in Northern Europe , and this 1in5 gradient has 13 sharp hairpin bends . This white knuckle ride has almost bought the sisters to tears and I just keep the camera clicking , Miss Poppet is doing it easy and showed just what a good operator she was ( we all clapped) as the white knuckle rideended.......Good night ...... WADDA

One down 

The day we went to Bergen

We catch the 8.25 am Oslo to Bergen which crosses Norway east to west across the country, the first 2 hrs of this journey didn’t capture my imagination at all. But the next 4.30 hrs certainly did and the steady climb upwards toward the snow line certainly was impressive, this was not the Swiss alps but it truly was beautiful. When we started to descend down past the snow line there were more signs of habitation and I knew that Bergen would soon be in my sight, I wasn’t disappointed. The Zander K hotel where will stay until Monday is but 40 metres from the station , we dump the gear and hit the tourist trail. You just can’t imagine how beautiful Bergen really is and the sisters are suitably impressed, our quick tour is soon over and we retire to the hotel for pre dinner drinks. WADDA hoes into some North Sea halibut which I must say is nothing like flake but it was delicious. Sunset here tonight is 10 pm but WADDA pulling the blinds down early because tomorrow we have a 8 am departure . Back to the mountains again this time to ride on the famous Flam railway then a 4 hour hydrofoil trip on the fjords , should be good but rain is expected anyway goodbye.......
WADDA

Sister 2 in Bergen 

Oslo make the most of it

Well today is our last day on the eastern side of Norway because tomorrow we head to the western side, to a city called Bergen and once again this leg is by rail. To finish off in Oslo we ventured out and got the red bus, once again these slippery tour operators probably sold us something we didn’t quite need. Yes we have free this and free that and you can call it a 24 hour pass unfortunately everything shuts down about 6pm and restarts at10 am. But we get the 24hr pass anyway knowing full well we can only use it for 6 . We head out to the maritime museums then off to see the Viking boats, sister 1 loses her ticket in the first half an hour just what we needed . On our  arrival at the Viking centre  no ticket no entry I improvise and get her in, meantime I hear humming seems that a poor old fella from the Great Wall country has hit the deck . Nobody’s panicking just humming when the Mica team arrive and cart him away, unsure if he made it or not. Head back to the city and head to the opera house not bad and the view is great . It’s 5 pm I think I’ll check on the sisters to see if they want anymore action for the day, they are starting to slow down a bit but my fitness level is still at its peak. I’m out of here so see you later........ WADDA

Viking war boat  x2

Viking cart

The new Anorak 8

The Tromsø Affair

Today is the day that has been on my mind for quite some time, just the thought of going to the Arctic Circle was verging on stupidity. Well the time is now to live my dream so at 6 am we make our way to Oslo central station to catch the fast train to the airport. 90 minutes after takeoff we are on our approach to Tromsø Airport , this early morning approach was simply amazing with the snow covered mountains and the vast expanses of water made this approach special. The sisters have had their doubts over WADDAS far flung idea but they too are amazed , the arrival temperature is 5 c and  rain is also forecast. You guessed it the cable car to take us high above Tromsø is closed today for maintenance so we cancelled that avenue of fun , and the rain did arrive. We wander the streets and go in and out of nearly every shop of this remote city before getting a cab out to the airport to await our 17.05 departure back to Oslo . Tomorrow is a sleep in day but that could alter , as we approach the skinny end of this dash about Northern Europe I’ll just touch on a few things. Firstly I need a good home cooked roast or some sausages and veggies these small items are non existent over here, and because I come from a country where cash is king they have different rules over here called card is king. WADDA likes to pay in cash then check his change , every trivial thing is on the card enough is enough. The sisters are a couple of floors below me plotting tomorrow’s activities so who knows what will happen, it’s 9.30pm as the sun begins to set and it will be coming back up about 4.30am so it’s

Snow at Tromsø 

Proddys church

Waddas new mates

church
a long day goodbye for now............ WADDA

Stockholm to Oslo today by rail

Today we head off on the next leg of this dream holiday and It will be sad leaving behind this beautiful old city of Stockholm, and the  next leg of travel is to Oslo and it will be by train. I don’t think the Swedish can compete with the Swiss or German rail system only time will tell , first I must endure another poor excuse for breakfast. On arrival at central station it’s packed so with one more piece of Princess cake under my belt we head for platform 12a, with an on time departure they begin to wind up this cross country flyer and head for Oslo. Pretty soon you become aware that this is not Swiss or German engineering but it’s okay , for the next 6.00hrs I’ll sit back and enjoy the scenery.  This 125 mph tilt train starts off extremely well reaching its maximum speed in no time, but the further we travel it soon becomes the slow boat to Oslo stopping to let log trains from the north through. Can’t have it all our own way I suppose but to be moving would be great , now over the boarder in Norway and it just got worse . On our arrival we check in and it’s off to the laundromat which was easier said than done, after a fair march around the city we locate the laundry and the work begins. Our time in Oslo will be just 2 days and we need to pack in a fair bit , tomorrow we are flying to a place called Tromsø about 400 is north of the Artic Circle  and have to catch a train at 5.30am to the airport. This will be a very long day but hope to enjoy it ,nothing more to say so see ya...... WADDA

The Vasa

Just a few snaps of the Royal warship a must see if you ever visit this beautiful city 

9 hours on the streets and canals of Stockholm

Up early and out of the BOX(my new home ) today because the sisters are on the march to see Stockholm, by bus and by boat. After a shit breakfast we head to central station to catch the big red bus to begin this long day on the tourist trail, stopping on the way at the world famous Vasa museum. This museum holds the only near complete Royal warship ever found , it had been sitting at the bottom of lake for 333 years until they brought it to the surface.  The story goes something like this on the day of it’s launching it sunk not very far from shore,  we just couldn’t believe our eyes as we entered the museum and saw this beautiful old relic this was absolutely unbelievable. Next on the trail was the ABBA museum so we wandered about dreaming of our ILLspent youth back in the 70s. Rachel the ringmaster of this group of unrefined travelers steers us back to a red bus pickup point, while we sheltered out of the biting wind many buses came and went. Eventually we get one that stops for us and another episode begins to take place, the traffic is bad the road works are worse the the poor excuse for a driver stops for a couple of fags and a chat. By the time we arrive for the canal cruise the sisters are using a lot of wharfie words, WADDA being deaf just smiles . The cruise goes according to plan and on returning to land I ask the ringmaster if we would be taking the bus home, more wharfie talk . I soon fall in behind to trudge the streets of Stockholm back to our hotel then over the road for more street food, and instead of going back to the Box WADDA decides to find a cake shop. The cake I manage to buy is called Princess then I return to the hotel to share with the sisters , with no utensils available I slice it up with a piece of cardboard . Everyone was happy and we settled for another early night because who knows what we might get up to tomorrow.........WADDA