October 31, 2015

Autumn in Estonia - west of Tallinn

From the small, former Russian, town Paldiski west of Tallin
From WIKI:
Paldiski is a town and Baltic Sea port situated on the Pakri peninsula of north-western Estonia. Originally a Swedish settlement known as Rågervik, it became a Russian naval base in the 18th century. The Russians renamed it Балтийский Порт in 1762. 

October 30, 2015

Vista of Old and new Tallinn, Estonia


From the Toompea hill in old town we have a great vista of the roofs and some churches in Old Town Tallinn as we at the same time have the new higher buildings in the back.

This photo is a stitch of 4 photos.

Detail from the Town hall place in Old Town in Tallinn

October 28, 2015

A tranquil autumn park in Estonia outside Tallinn


The beautiful pond outside the Manor house - a part of the park and area connected to the former Padise Monestary.

A fine stop during our day West of Tallinn.

From the net:
Padise Abbey (Estonian: Padise klooster) was a former Cistercian monastery in Padise in Harju County, Estonia, settled in 1310 by the dispossessed monks of Dünamünde Abbey in Latvia. 

It was converted into a fortress after its dissolution in 1559 and later used as a country house until 1766. The ruins now house a museum.



The madam in full swing collecting memories from this beautiful park in Estonia this super October day....

October 26, 2015

Keila waterfall west of Kallinn, Estonia

Keila waterfall in October.
Under our stay in Tallinn we spent a day on a tour to the west of Tallinn. Absolute worthwhile as a contrast to the medival town at the attractions there.

From the net: 
Keila Waterfall is located on the River Keila that runs through the small borough of Keila-Joa in Keila Rural Municipality, Harju County. The waterfall is 6 metres high and tens of metres wide, thus being the third largest waterfall in Estonia after Narva Waterfall and Jägala Waterfall. 

There is a path that runs along the riverbed and over two suspension bridges taking you from the park to the waterfall.

Detail from the Keila waterfall

Babushka takes a rest in the fine park

October 24, 2015

Profile of Old Town in Tallinn, Estonia


A most popular motif from the big square by the Town Hall in Tallinn. 

From the net: Town Hall Square / Raekoja Plats The heart of old Tallinn is its medieval town hall square. A market has been held here for centuries and it was the site of at least one execution which apparently arose from a dispute over a bad omelette! 

There are no executions today of course, but the square continues to play an active role in the lives of local people as well as the many tourists who flock here. 

The west side of the square is dominated by the town hall which gives it its name (see separate tip). 

On the other three sides are the typical Tallinn tall narrow buildings, once storehouses for the city's merchants, now bars and restaurants. This is the natural meeting place for locals and tourists alike, and the focus for special events in the city.


The Town Hall

October 23, 2015

Tallin, Estonia. St, Michaels church


There are many Churches in Tallinn - this one: Rootsi Mihkli kirik in Old Town.

From the net:
Swedish St Michael's Church

EELK St Michael's Church in the Old Town of Tallinn has for centuries been an important religious and spiritual centre for the Estonian Swedes. Due to its close connections with Nordic countries, is is becoming a sort of Nordic centre as well.

The bigger part of the 300-strong congregation is made up of Estonian Swedes and their offspring. In addition to St Michael's own parish, German and Finnish parishes use the premises too.

Owing to its good acoustics St Michael's Church is a suitable place for concerts. The church also shelters Rüütli Folk High school, Swedish children's play school and the church museum of the Estonian Swedes.

October 22, 2015

Harbor in Tallinn, Estonia - panorama


3 photos (stitched) taken from the terracce of the former KGB offices at the top of Hotel Viru in Tallinn on a fine day in october

October 21, 2015

iPhone6plus: Night in old town Tallinn, Estonia


From an evening stroll in Tallinn...

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October 20, 2015

October 19, 2015

iphone6plus: Estonia - the West Coast



Out of Tallinn for a day at the sea- and countryside.
Here by some cliffs facing the Baltic Sea.
Interesting 7 hrs. in a little group of fellow travellers.


Details from the beach with lots of stones.

October 18, 2015

IPhone6plus: Right in the center of Tallinn, Estonia


After arriving in Tallinn we have already startet to explore the famous old town.

Here the grand old cathedral of Estonia.

From wiki:
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an orthodoxcathedral in the Tallinn Old Town, Estonia. It was built to a design by Mikhail Preobrazhensky in a typical Russian Revival style between 1894 and 1900, during the period when the country was part of the Russian Empire. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is Tallinn's largest and grandest orthodox cupola cathedral. It is dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky who in 1242 won the Battle of the Ice on Lake Peipus, in the territorial waters of present-day Estonia. The late Russian patriarch, Alexis II, started his priestly ministry in the church.

IPhone6plus: Sunday morning at Oslo Airport


Just before 9AM and we are ready for take off from Oslo Airport

Posted from the plane to Tallinn.

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October 17, 2015

iPhone6plus: October morning. Spydeberg, Norway


Morning mood by the Solbergfoss Power Plant and the river Glomma.

Have a fine day

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October 16, 2015

iphone 6plus: Autumn by the forest pond. Spydeberg, Norway


October this year have offered many fine days with sun and the clear air of the autumn.  Like here as we do a forest walk and pass this tranquil pond on our way through the forest.


After a time we have a rest by this fine cottage before returning to our car. A fine hike in the super weather - app. 7 km long.

Over the weekend and some days next week we visit Tallin in Estonia.


October 15, 2015

Bergen, Norway the start and endpoint for the Coastal Express


A well known trade mark for Bergen is the Fløybanen a steep funicular starting near the even more famous German Wharf (Tyskerbryggen).

Find below the terminal of Hurtigruten where our 6 days Journey from Kirkenes ended after 6 days at sea:



October 14, 2015

Another light house by the coast of Norway



Another light house along our coast - this one a little south of Kristiansund at the West Coast

October 12, 2015

Lighthouse from another world (?). Hestskjar, Norway


On a dark afternoon in July. Hestskjær Lighthouse under refurbishing sure looks like something out of another world as we pass it on our way south with the Coastal Express MS Nordkapp.

From WIKI:
Hestskjær Lighthouse is a coastal lighthouse located in Averøy Municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is located on a small island about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north of the village of Langøy. The lighthouse was established in 1879 and automated in 1986.

The 21-metre (69 ft) tall lighthouse emits a white, red, or green light (depending on direction) occulting twice every 8 seconds. The tower is a round, cylindrical tower that is white with a red top. The 28,200 candela light can be seen for up to 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi).

World War II:
On 13 February 1944, the two ships SS Irma and SS Henry were sunk near Hestskjær.

October 10, 2015

Coast of Norway - Kristiansund


On a grey day we are closing in to the harbor in the town Kristiansund out be the coast.

From WIKI:
Kristiansund
City in Norway
Kristiansund is a city and municipality on the western coast of Norway in the Nordmøre district of Møre og Romsdal county. It was officially awarded township status in 1742, and it is still the major town for the region.


Main street in Kristiansund

October 8, 2015

Departure Trondheim - the capitol of Mid Norway


We are leaving Trondheim the capitol of Mid Norway. In the bacj we can see the tower at the Nidaros Cathedral.

The ship snchored to the right is MS Lofoten - a generation from the Coastal Express that operated in the period 1960 - 1990.

From the net:
Trondheim, historically Kaupangen, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. Wikipedia
Area: 342.3 km². Founded: 997 AD
Population: 178,021 (2012) 


Just outside the harbor we pass the island and landmark: Munkholmen

From the net Munkholmen. Fortress.
Munkholmen is an islet north of Trondheim, Norway. It sits in the Trondheimsfjord about 1.3 kilometres northwest of the island of Brattøra and the mouth of the river Nidelva. Wikipedia

October 7, 2015

Alstahaug, Norway - Peter Dass and the meeting point for the Coastal Express


Sailing along the coast of Helgeland we can ashore have a glimpse of the church where the poet priest of Nordland Peter Dass was active in the 1700.

Image result for petter dass
Petter Dass. Poet.
Petter Dass was a Lutheran priest and the foremost Norwegian poet of his generation, writing both baroque hymns and topographical poetry.

With app. 12 ships in the Coastal Express Service you are bound to meet 1 ship a day at your 12 day T/R trip Bergen - Kirkenes. And also from time to time meeet and anchor in the same harbor.
Such a meeting point is Rørvik in North Trondelag where our ship MS Nordkapp was meeting MS Kong Harald on this day in July

October 6, 2015

The Seven sisters mountain range. Norway




The majestetic 7 Sisters in Nordland, Norway. A fantastic view on a fine day as here.

From the net:
The Seven Sisters form a majestic chain of peaks overlooking the shipping channel plied by the Hurtigruten. Thrusting their heads 1,000 metres above the shoreline, they form a dramatic backdrop to the myriad of islands and lush cultural landscape. Their beauty may be admired equally well from the deck of the Hurtigruten as from a bike out on one of the islands. As with all natural beauties, close contact brings the greatest pleasures .


Another fine day along the Coast of Norway wiyh our ship MS Nordkapp from the Coastal Express


October 5, 2015

Torghatten - a mountain with a hole. Along Coast of Norway


Torghatten - a fantastic nature experience with the big natural hole in the middle of the mountain.

The one and only true story of its origin:
According to the legend of the Helgeland mountains, Torghatten was formed when the troll Hestmannen, disappointed in love, shot an arrow after the young girl Lekamøya who ran away from him. The Troll-King in Mount Sømnafjellet saw this and threw his hat between them; the arrow went straight through the hat and formed the hole. The sun rose, and everyone was turned into stone. 



Just a small hour before passing Trollhatten we left tha small town Brønnøysund at the coast of Helgeland.


Our ship MS Nordkapp from the Coastal Express anchored in the harbor of Brønnøysund


A perfect day for cruising along the Coast of Norway



October 4, 2015

To day a Cadillac at the coast of Norway - Brønnøysund (Bronnoysund)


I am in my cabin at our voyage with the Coastal Express as it is harboring in the small coast town Brønnøysund - just by the polar circle in the North of Norway.

..and what a surprise seeing this grand Caddilac de Ville 1970 arriving just outside while the driver and lady apparently looks for some friends along the arriving passengers further down the quay.

To get the right mood with the photo of the Cad play the Johhny Cash tune "One piece at a time" right here:

October 3, 2015

Tranquility in Valdres. Norway


Tranquility in Valdres. Someplace along route 51 coming down from our visit to the Jotunheimen National Park.



The Madam enjoys a little rest along the road on this fine day up in the Central mountains of Norway

October 2, 2015

Popular region in Jotunheimen National Park, Norway



When going in to Jotunheimen the most popular route is by route 51 crossing the Valdresflya.

Along this route there is a parking where you can hike directly yo mount Knutshoi (in the middle here) or look over to the high Bessho in the back.

The mountain edge in front of Bessho is the very popular Besseggen that is visited by some 30 000 hikers each year. Also the mountains in the left is a part of the National Park have many paths crisscrossing the landscape.


Moody sunset after returning home to our cottage after some days in Jotunheimen