Trees removed

We had the tree men in to deal with a few trees. One was a tall camphor laurel that we had topped years ago and left it standing but still covered with monstera, while the other was an ugly and sickly box elder (acer negundo). They also took out a cypress pine.

The men arrived the first thing in the morning together with a large crane that took up all of our front yard.

One man was lifted high to begin on the monstera; perhaps he was least afraid of heights.

First the monstera creepers were pruned and then the old trunk of the camphor laurel was cut up.

The tree trunk was cut into large sections and each lifted out to be shredded by the other men.

Tree removal April 2014 from Kin-Mun Kan on Vimeo.

That was the end of the old camphor laurel trunk and monstera.

Next they worked on the box elder (Acer negundo) in the same way.

Tree removal II April 2014 from Kin-Mun Kan on Vimeo.

By noon, there jobs were done.

After a few days of wet weather

After a few days of wet weather, something popped out on our gravel driveway

Mushrooms.

This gives a better idea of the size.

W Africa and Norway - more . . . . .

Here are some video clips that are worth sharing . . .


Sierra Leone cultural dance show

Freetown (sorry about the screech in the background, the PA system in the coach I was in was faulty)


Freetown (Sierra Leone) street scene.

On the Hurtigruten - sailing into the man-made Risoyrenna Channel.


Norway - sailing into the Risoyrenna channel

Milan Revisited

On the way back from Norway, we had a stopover in Milan primarily to visit Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper". It was not easy to catch a glimpse of the famous but fast deteriorating painting on the refectory wall at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Not only is the viewing restricted to certain days of the week but also in the number of viewers permitted at any one time, such that the time slots are usually heavily booked. We had to join a Milan tour (that covered places that we had already been before) just to get a 15-minute audience. But of course it was worth it. Besides, we rediscovered Milan, a rather elegant city and enjoyed especially the food and shops.

Leonardo's Last Supper on a refectory wall at the Santa Maria delle Grazie.

The Milan Duomo

These were actually edible chocolates.

Outside the Monastery where the Last Supper is located.

Pilaf or risotto?

Exotic cuisine.

For more photos click here.

Back to Bergen

After Kirkenes, the Finnmarken retraced the route back to Bergen. We had time to take another look at the city before leaving Norway.

Kristiansund at night.

Stopped by Alesund but we did not get off the boat.

Kay bought an umbrella

Bergen had a bit of snow.

Photo taken before the cruise.

I was very happy with mussels and soup at the Fish Market.

For more photos click here.

Within the Arctic Circle

On the eighth day of our cruise, now within the Arctic Circle, the Finnmarken reached Hammerfest, the most northerly port (70º40'N) where we took a shore excursion in windy and snowy conditions to North Cape (Nordkapp), the most northerly part of Europe. (71º10'N)

The following day the ship sailed further along the Norwegian coast and berthed at Kirkenes where we joined another shore excursion, this time across icy country to the Russian border.

Then the ship began to retrace the route back to Bergen. All along the journey the skies were mostly heavily overcast; we kept a lookout for the aurora borealis, the Northern Lights, ducking out in freezing conditions whenever stars appear, but the glow that we hoped for never appeared. I was happy though that one night when the Big Dipper was clearly visible, I was able to use the constellation to locate the North Star (Polaris) high in the sky.

Low clouds and strong winds.

Domkirk at Bodo, rebuilt after being destroyed during WW2.

Snow covered island.

Tromso church.

North Cape - most northerly in Europe, 72N and windy.

Sunset at Kirkenes, soon after midday.

Arctic Circle marker.

Dressed for the occasion.

Click here for more photos.

Towards the Arctic

The Finnmarken sailed northwards, stopping at a series of ports.  We were able to get off the ship to walk around at some of the ports.

At Maloy, we saw the first of many bridges.

Changeable weather - cloudy skies, showers ahead.

Pretty settlements in the bright sunshine (when the sun comes out)

Frequent rainbows.

Maloy - but many towns looked the same!

Getting off the Finnmarken at Alesund.

Alesund.

It was dark when we got off for a walk at Molde.

Day 3 - Trondheim.

Holiday house for rent - some kind of holiday.

Pretty colours at sunrise and sunset, they take place closer and closer together as we sailed north.

Small settlements with spectacular mountain views.

Initiation ceremony for Rob at the crossing of the Arctic Circle (rest of us chickened out).

For more photos click here.