When you win a free holiday, it certainly adds to your trip if spending money comes into the package, so it proves to be a very worthwhile investment. And so it came to pass that at a Ball (a big dance, plebs !) one special evening some years ago, I went mad and bought a few raffle tickets, having been tempted by the vast display of prizes laid out on the top table. As the evening played out and the hour of reckoning approached, I had set my sights on one or more of the many bottles of booze. That was my level--I never expected anything higher up the list. The Draw started and the auditorium was reduced to silence as the huge list of items was read out and people came up to get their individual win. Alas, the bottles of booze went and the Draw went on and on. By now I had lost interest and went to the bar to replenish my tables drinks. The draw came to an end with only the STAR PRIZE to be drawn. I was chatting to my lady friend and wasn't really listening. The ticket number was read out again and I suddenly realised that in my measly wadge of stumps was that very number. Confirming this fact, I dashed up onto the stage and found I had won a WEEK in NORWAY !!!. I was living in Newcastle upon Tyne so it was a recognised holiday destination for us Geordies. So I thanked the presenters of the prize profusely and took the prize pack back to my table. It turned out to be a cracking holiday with a really full week which took us from Newcastle to Bergen then to Voss via Ulvik on the Hardangerfjord. What glorious scenery was shown in the blurb ! I decided to take the lady friend to whom I was deeply engaged and we set off from the Quay on the ferry in glorious evening weather. Within a few hours the weather took a turn for the worst and instead of having a romantic crossing, I walked the decks (if I sat down I felt very sick) and the lady friend took to the bunk (if she sat up she felt very sick)..I saw the dawn and went to Breakfast alone. It was a buffet of different foods including fish and other scandinavian delicacies. Seeing and smelling the fish caused me to forget breakfast and both of us were pleased to get onto dry land with faces glowing green.  Arriving in Bergen we were transferred by bus 150kms to Ulvik to a lovely hotel. We were given a top floor bedroom with windows not only in front but also in the roof ! The room was toasty warm but had varnished floors with slippy mats. We crashed out and made up our lack of sleep. From then on we ate everything put before us and the air was invigorating.We went on walks and out on trips to places to see.  The owners of the hotel showed us films and slide shows of the area and we crammed much into our few days. On the Thursday we were crammed into a coach and transported to the Fjord where we caught a ferry which took us down the length to another venue where we stayed for one night. Then it was back to the ferry to take us back to Newcastle. STILL BEING DEVELOPED--More pictures and Information coming soon | |
SCANDINAVIA