Floyen

Mt Floyen, the restaurant building just visible on the crest of the  mountain

The Floyen funicular on its way up

We did manage one other outing in Bergen. It was after we returned from the cruise. Having got back on dry land the first place we thought we ought to go was to a pharmacy to see if we could find something that might help the Fox feel a bit better. We went to the nearest one to the hotel. Within sight of the chemist shop was the ticket office for the Fløyen funicular. As it was a sunny morning we decided to have a go on it.

 

Taken while queueing up for the funicular

Mt. Fløyenfjellet (affectionately called Mt. Fløyen) is one of the mountains that encircle Bergen. The views from the top were fabulous. I have no desire to try to describe them. I will simply let you look at some of the photos we took.

 

 

Bergen, its harbour & islands beyond

More inland Bergen with the Lille Lungagardsvann lake fountain& park in the foreground

Even more inland. Lille Lungagardsvann to the right

 

Some of our fellow travellers enjoying the views from the top

On the summit there are various walks, children attractions, a restaurant & hot dog stand, a few touristy shops, things to keep you happy all day if you are in good health, but not so attractive when you have a wheelchair to push around. After stopping for a drink, & feeling the first drops of rain we headed on down the mountain. The Fox was whacked out by the excursion. The next couple of days he just stayed in bed except to rise for something different to drink & to ensure I had a proper meal.

There were so many things we’d hoped to see to Bergen – the other KODE art galleries, Grieg’s house Troldhaugen, the violinist & folk music collector Øle Bull’s summer house on the island of Lysøen, the fish museum, the botanical gardens, the maritime museum – but the Fox was too ill to go to any of them. It is a pity. Bergen is a beautiful city with its wonderful harbour. One of the first things that struck me when we arrived at Bergen airport was the rich colour of the shrubs. I soon realised they were rhododendrons. Apparently Bergen boasts some 300 different varieties of rhododendrons & I can well believe it.

 

Some of the rhododendrons

More rhododendrons with the towers of Mariakirken behind

A mixture of rhododendrons in the Lille Lungagardsvann park