Alesund

Norway and in particular the Alesund fjords have been on my list for a long time and finally ... FINALLY ... we are here.  It's impossible to describe.  For a NZer that has done, well, more than a little travel as we have, it's a revelation.  Frankly, we are smitten.

For a start, English seems like the first language (the bastards, how are they so proficient in a second language??) , the air is as clean as NZ, the bread first class, the selection of produce unreal, but for now all I am going to say is that we have found the perfect destination for us in a house from what seems to be set in an interior nordic country design book for the next 8 nights.  Smack bang on the Alesund fjords.

It rains a lot in these parts (and by that I mean A LOT!) but as luck happens ( and at times one does  actually manage to strike it) the weather is as good as it gets (google Alesund, you'll understand the lottery win on this one).  Stunning weather and that clear air that is our luxury... not necessarily but possibly, taken for granted in NZ and very northern Europe (no wonder fiordland was named after the fjords of Norway).

From our bedroom

From the house jetty

Ahh yeah a little self explanatory. Private jetty

Jeez Andy is that a wine you have in your hand???

Our beautiful living room

kitchen - spotless, stunningly usable.  Frankly faultless

Dining

I mean WTF??? Private jetty again

Good morning to you too Alesund!

My teddies travel well!

First night's dinner - crispy skinned local cold smoked salmon, crisp fennel and leeks, pickled beetroot and carrot in cucumber vinegar and yoghurt dressing.  Phenomenal.