Notes on Norway

The arrangements for buying wine in Norway would not suit TSH and DIVA. It is sold only in government-run Vinmonoplet shops, which are not only extremely expensive but which have such restrictive opening hours that people have to take a half-day holiday from work to buy a bottle of wine.

Surprisingly, none of the local guides have been Norwegian, and a Pole, Italian and Croatian have been encountered.

For those who doubt the cows and mattress story, here is a link: http://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/1u4bv0/til_by_norwegian_law_every_cow_has_its_own/  

The morning at sea included an interesting lecture on Copenhagen, followed by a cookery competition between the head chef and the maître d’ (it was a draw). This was enlivened by a general power cut, the ship lurching and the engines stopping. The captain came on the intercom to apologise and say that ‘it would be all OK’, which did not help Diva’s anxiety levels much. Fortunately the situation did not last long.