DEEP and CRISP and EVEN.

Thorsdag. 30/11/2017

Flam to Myrdal to Oslo. -9C

Sunrise 8.50am. Sunset 3.23pm.

Today was a training day.

That is we spent all day on trains.

We left Flam on the 9.00am to Myrdal. A journey of only just 1 hour but an epic climb up about 680 metres and one series of switchbacks up a vertical face where you can see the next three levels and the destination station at Myrdal still more than 20 minutes away. I think Vic and Merv could have run it quicker except there was a good metre of snow.

We took dozens of photos only to be disappointed because of the dirty windows. We took some better ones every time the train stopped and we could get out for a few minutes but as the temperature dropped to -13C as we gained altitude the fumbling for coats and gloves made even this difficult. I filmed the whole climb with the video camera which coped better and will post some stills when we get back home.

From Myrdal we connected with the Bergen – Oslo intercity and flew off in high speed luxury except when he hit heavy snow on the tracks which was scooped of the line and flung in great swirling showers over the carriages.

A quick walk around Oslo after checking in and we found a Julematk. Translates as a Yule Market. Sami people had set up a large tent city in an Oslo city square and were selling Christmas stuff including reindeer burgers, mulled wine and knitwear. Nicest jumper I have seen to date but not my size.

Tried an unusual food restaurant on the way home, look out for one if you see one in Melbourne. Its called Indian food, very good and very spice and the slow service improved markedly when I told the waiter that I had seen Sachin Tendulkar bat at the M.C.G.

Off to the Museums tomorrow , hopefully the quality of the photos will improve.

Pete.