Next stop - FLÅM ("Flom")

Flåm is pronounced Flom because the "a" has a circle on top of it which has an "o" sound because an "o" has a "u" sound because a "u" in Norwegian has an "e" sound. Just so you know.

At the head of the world's longest fjord, Sognefjord,  is Flåm, a beautiful place, with only 350 inhabitants, and lodged between two mountain peaks. This was our next stop.  Flåm is famous for its railway which is one of Norway's most spectacular tourist attractions, taking you on an incredible train journey up to Myrdal. Although the journey is only 12 miles long it climbs to 2,845ft.

It is a masterpiece of engineering. Nowhere in the world is there an adhesion-type railway on normal tracks with a steeper climb. Almost 80% of the line has a gradient of 1:18. 

The views were stunning.

We twisted and turned and snaked our way up and down the sheer inclines passing through 20 tunnels of which 18 were excavated by hand.

Deep ravines, snowy-capped mountains and a waterfall overload.... some of it was breathtaking.

Half way up we stopped at Kjosfossen waterfall...

...where the Lady in Red did her waterfall-wailing

...and then we continued up to Mydal into the snow.

After a MAGNIFICENT lunch at VOSS (which has converted Husb to salmon.... totally melt in your mouth and let's go for seconds type of salmon) and a walk-it-off round the lake (Voss is a popular centre for  extreme sports) ....

...we got the coach back down, stopping at Tvinde waterfall...

where I checked my balance,

and did a plank. (As you do.)

The road back down was THE STEEPEST ROAD IN NORWAY  

                        Stalheimskleiva Road,

with its 13 hairpin bends. 

I loved it... we were right at the front of the bus and although the wheels OBVIOUSLY stayed on the road, we appeared to be dangling precariously over the edge as we rounded the corner.... oooeeerrr

Totally unspoilt scenery.

Waterfalls round every corner.

Back to the boat. We were so lucky with the weather. Water and mountains look so much more spectacular with the sun on them. We enjoyed an hour on deck of lovely, lovely (cold) sun as we sailed out of this beautiful place. What a fantastic day.

Tonight was Black and White Night. We were little rebels. I don't wear much black or white and I hadn't brought any anyway so we brightened up the restaurant in our lilac and red.

Meet Joquin who tidied up for us. He was such a star. Wait till you see what he made me.

Singapore Slings. 

As we do. Always on a cruise. Better when they are "Cocktail of the day" WHICH THEY WEREN'T  but heyho =)

SINGAPORE SLING x 2

This was about 10pm

                                                    This is what Joquin made me!!!

They say Norway is the Land of the Midnight Sun as it never really goes dark for the few weeks between the end of May and June.... this was midnight, I'm freezing and was grateful for my elephant shawl Pixen,  but look how light it is!