Before I embark on today’s writings, yesterday’s scenic cruising from Olden should be documented. 

Steps total: 16,048

It seems (and I may be wrong here) that the tiny fairy-tail village of Olden welcomes its almost daily visits of cruise ships. I came here in September 2022, and remember Rod Stewart’s “Sailing” blaring forth from a quayside sound system as QM2 was preparing to depart.  This was followed by Status Quo’s “Rockin All over the World,” and as the ship’s sirens blasted, “Time to Say Goodbye” particularly emotional at the time QE2 was coming out of service in 2008.  In August 2026, the “send-off” from Olden was (if I recall correctly) identical, with the addition of Dire Straits Walk of Life blaring from a fjord-side bungalow with big yellow hands and a Norwegian flag waving us off.  All most amusing! All most atmospheric, even celebratory.  Sailing through various fjords to the North Sea was spectacular and perhaps a once in a lifetime experience. It stayed dry outside the low clouds casting a dramatic contrast against the many shades of green of the steep sided fields and forests, and stark grey rock formations.

Writing during an early lunch in the Kings Court Buffet, Saturday 8th August 2026….

I had a superb day yesterday and was looking forward to something similar today in Skjolden.  However, the glorious scenery is shrouded in low cloud, occasionally like fog at ground level.  If I do go out, I may have to prepare for a drenching, something which can go with the territory of travelling in Western Norway.  (12.27 hrs) 

Now to venture out… (12.29 hrs)

16.18 hrs.

I was out for not quite four hours.  The rain had stopped and it was possible to venture just a little further than I did in September 2022. 

After a suitable lunch, I took a few pictures from the ship before “bailing out” and walking gently to a town I do not remember as being as attractive as it is today. Much was familiar,  however. In 2022, I didn’t manage to walk far enough to be able to photograph QM2 in its entirity.  Today, I made it to a small park with a bright red sculpture only just visible from the ship, from where, apart from the low-rise port buildings, QM2 was visible from bow to stern.  Mission was thus accomplished better than I had hoped.  Skjolden is a rather lovely place in which to spend a week or so, even if it rains more often than not.  Two ships can be accommodated here, one at anchor.

Uncharacteristically for me, after my fairly extensive walk, I settled into the Golden Lion Pub to continue writing today’s blog. I had resisted Granma’s Genuine Norwegian Cinnamon Cake at the quayside café and souvenir shop. I couldn’t, however, resist a nice hot decaf latte while completing today’s blog in the Golden Lion.

19.10 hrs in my stateroom.

Eventually, I joined yet more new friends who re-introduced me to the outside lift and the Observation area on Deck 11 in front of the Atlantic Room.  From there, we watched as we sailed from Skjolden through more magnificent scenery presumably of Sognefjord.  The following pictures were taken in the first hour or so of our departure from Skjolden.

Next to nothing has been mentioned of the main purpose of this transatlantic crossing, witnessing the 2026 Total Eclipse of the Sun in Reykjavic, apart from the promise of Cunard issued Eclipse glasses.  Most people are on board for this major event.

19.33 hrs.  Preparing for dinner. 

Michael, the Priest has not joined us for the past two days. It turns out that he had the right idea i.e. make the most of the scenic cruising through the fjords, and enjoy the fabulous scenery until it became dark.  I rather wish I had had a similar idea, despite enjoying the company of my table companions.  Tomorrow and Monday, we are at sea, Tuesday we anchor off Isafjordur, Iceland.  The big day is Wednesday when the first major eclipse of the sun since 1999 darkens a few privileged places in Greenland, Iceland, parts of Spain, Portugal and a few other places. 

Tonight, we were the last out of the Britannia Restaurant but I did get to see most of the show in the Royal Court Theatre. Petrina “shattered chandeliers” with her powerful rock renderings, while the Royal Court Theatre Company sang and danced a Sting medley.  Arriving after the show had startrd, I chose to sit quite comfortably against a side wall.  Unbelievably, part of the Royal Court Theatre Orchestra was amplified through loudspeakers built into that wall, or so it seemed.

I would ascertain that being dark outside by now,  there would be little to see of the steep tree-covered banks of Sognefjord. 

Today started off wet and miserable and many opted to stay on board all day. However, when I set off after lunch, there was very little rain and I had the opportunity to explore just that bit further than four years ago.

Many thanks for reading,

David,  in his stateroom, 01.26 hrs. 9/8/26