26 July - 1 August, Scandinavia here we come.

Saturday 26 July We spent the night in West Ham, London, before flying to Copenhagen. We tried to find a pub to watch the All Black v Australia game, but had no luck. Therefore we went into central London and found a Walkabout pub down on the Embankment.

Tons of Aussies and New Zealanders were there watching and the atmosphere was great! We met up with a Fitzroy SLS guy called Gusto and the mother of Michelle Sutton from New Plymouth. ( Michelle has had a serious head injury and is in hospital in London). What a fast game but NZ made too many errors and the Aussies in the pub were delighted of course. After this we returned back to West Ham to get organised for our travels the next day.

Sunday 27 July Up early at 6.00 am for our journey to Heathrow Airport, The famous Terminal 5. We flew off to Copenhagen and arrived 3.30 pm. The Cosmos people we expected to be met by had gone by the time we came through the gate, so Kevin and I got a taxi to our Hotel. We met the other 42 people on our tour. Next we had a lovely 3 course dinner, very nice!

Monday 28 July I awoke really early at 4.00 am as it was very light. Up and down to breakfast by 7.00 am. At 8.30 we went on a tour of the city for 1 1\2 hr. We had free time to spend how we wanted to.

At midday we went through beautiful countryside and visited Frederiksborg Castle ( a renaissance Palace), The Kronborg Castle ( famous as a Shakespeares Hamlet play setting), and also Fredensborg ( the Queen of Denmark's Summer Palace).

We went back to Copenhagen in time for a quick shower and change of clothes before we headed out to dinner wth the whole group. It was a great get together with fellow travellers and we sampled typical Danish foods. After this we went over to the Tivoli Gardens.

We watched the Ballet being performed and listened to some big Band music on the Bandstand and wandered through the beautiful gardens and enjoyed the Tivoli Illuminations. We got home safe and sound by 10.30 pm What a nice place Copenhagen is. Clean and eco friendly A very attractive city beside clear blue water.

Tuesday 29 July Today we left at 8.00 am for the journey North. We crossed over the new Storebaelforbinersen bridge which took us to the island of Funel. We stopped at Odense ( Hans Christian Anderson Country.) and checked out his staure and house.

We wandered about the narrow streets and had a fruit lunch under the shade of tree's as it was 30 degrees. Next we crossed the Little Belt Waterway, heading for Frederikshavin on the Jutland Peninsular to our Hotel. Arriving there at 4.30 pm.

After a shower we wandered through the town and visited the port and ferry terminal. We will be crossing to Sweden tomorrow. We had dinner at 7 pm and it was fabulous - Lots and lots of different kinds of seafood ! A smorgasbord like no other with unlimited choices. I see on the news Los Angeles had an earthquake today!

Wednesday 30 July I'm still waking early, 5.00 am this morning. We left at 9.00 am via the ferry across to Kattegat to Gothenburg (Sweden). Its a thriving 2nd largest city and one of Europe's major sea ports. We followed the road and crossed into Norway and arrived in Oslo.

After a shower we went off to explore Oslo. We went down to the Alcer Brygge- the sea front . We wandered about seeing the Royal Palace, The Oslo University, Museums, The Building the Gestapo Occupied during the war and quaint town squares with sculptures. We walked back to our Hotel by 9 pm. Oslo is also a beautiful city surrounded by water.

Thursday 31 July The last day of July ! Off on our way by 8.45 am looking around Oslo. We visited Frogner Park with all the loads of sculptures of people and animals there. Next we visited National Theatre, city Hall and Parliament.

At 12 midday we went off to visit the Viking Ship Museum, then Thor Heyerdahl's Museum which showcased the world renowed "Kon Tiki" raft ( Ra 2 ) which he and a crew sailed in 1947 to prove that Polynesians could travel using papyas materials and the 3rd museum was about the Arctic Expeditions on the "Fram", built in 1892 and also used by Amunsden on his Heroic Trip to the South Pole.

It was really interesting and we both enjoyed it alot being able to walk over the original ship. Where else in the world would this be allowed. There is alot of personal responsibility and flexibility in Scandinavian culture which is really refreshing. Their lifestyle is good and we both notice these things.

We headed back to Oslo town center with time for a quick visit to the Oslo Opera House on the water's edge. Its a beautiful building. We left Oslo at 4.30 pm to drive through the Telemark region to our overnight hotel. Scenic countryside yet again. After a delicious meal we wandered about the small town of Kongsberg and admired their river running through the town.

Friday 1 August We were up early and headed off to visit Vemork. ( where the heavy water plant was) This plant was severly damaged during the war and the ferry boat that was used to transport the heavy water was also blown up by a commando unit to stop the Nazi's using it to make an atomic bomb.

We passed through the Telemark region with its lakes, winding valleys, rugged gorges and towering mountains. We went over the Hardanger Fjord from Utne to Kwannadal by ferry which was a short trip of 25 min.

We saw snow on the tops of the mountains and fantastic water falls. Very very beautiful ! We continued on to Bergen - a picture perfect seaport. We settled into our Hotel and then went down town to explore. We had fresh fish and chips at the Fish Market on the water front of Bergen with several of our tour group who also must have been keen for some good ol fish n chips.

We went for a walk about the town and saw Bryggens - very old wooden buildings and alleyways on the water front, before heading home to our Hotel by 10.30 pm. More will follow see ya later Cheers for now.