0
0
Wednesday 31st May
Weather: Overcast with outbreaks of sunshine
Seas: Calm
We’d arrived in Olden – a tiny village at the end of Nordfjord. We were up early for breakfast this morning as Jon, Callum and I were off to the Briksdal Glacier. I had done the walk last year, so wanted to share this place with Jon and Callum. It was very different to the Glaciers we’d seen in Alaska last year.
We met up with Mum for breakfast and then headed ashore to figure out where the shuttle bus left from. I’d prebooked shuttle bus tickets from OldenAdventure.com before we left. We had to cross the road and walk 100m down the road to the garage.
[easy-image-collage id=1722]
It takes about 30 mins to drive to the Glacier car park – a little longer perhaps as we kept meeting buses travelling in the opposite direction. The scenery is stunning as you drive along the shore of a greeny-blue lake, then head up into the mountains. It was much busier in May with tour buses than last September!
The walk up to the Glacier takes about 45-60 mins, depending on how fast you walk. Getting there, it’s uphill and some sections are fairly steep, including one section that is steps. An alternate way up is by Troll Car but you either need to get here first thing, pre-book yourself on via the ships excursion.
[easy-image-collage id=1723]
The walk is very scenic and at one point you do walk through the spray of a waterfall (need coat or plastic poncho!). Even if you do get the troll car, you have a 10 mins walk to the Glacier view point and the first part is uphill before it levels off.
The view point is well worth the effort (you will do your 10K steps … and more!), and more dramatic earlier in the season as the water flowing into the lake is still frozen (Sept 16 this ice had melted). With the shuttle bus, we had a lot more time at the glacier view point than the mini-bus so we wandered as close as far as we could. The lake is a milky blue/green and contrasts nicely with the rocks and the glacier.
[easy-image-collage id=1724]
Callum built a rock tower (3 storey) and we spent time admiring the view before turning around and heading back down. The ships photographer was on site and we did take advantage to get a rare family photo taken.
It only took about 30 minutes to walk back down and this time it was our turn to take pity on the people walking up and how far they still had to go.
Back on the coach and back to the ship and meet up with Mum … a little later than we thought as the shuttle bus trip meant you spent longer at the Glacier.
Jon and Callum headed up to play a little shuffleboard whilst Mum & I went back ashore to the shops across the road from the ship. Mum needed to buy a pencil (!) and she also added a new fleece to her purchases. After shopping, Mum headed back on board whilst I spent a little more time ashore to try and get some good photos of the ship. There’s a little road opposite the dock and I just walked up there for 500 metres or so.
[easy-image-collage id=1725]
Back on board and headed back to the cabin to chill before sailaway. Sadly, the English lady wasn’t around this afternoon so no St George’s Flag being waved from her on the balcony. It’s a lovely sail out from Olden, so being out on deck (if not your balcony) is a must.
[easy-image-collage id=1726]
Pre-dinner drinks (again!) in the Glass House, this time around the other side of the bar. We were back down in the MDR this evening, and had a lovely meal with the Midlands crowd.
We were all pretty tired, and had an early start in the morning so we headed back to the cabin.
