I am back!

Wow, what a trip it has been - for the last ten days I have been working on board Queen Mary 2 and it was a real eye opener. The girls and boys on board work so hard: 10 - 12 hours every day, without a weekend in between and each contract generally last for about 6 months. Some of them have not set a foot on land in that time.

After 7 days I started to feel the tiredness creeping in and almost fell asleep in the chair, when I visited my parents....but regardless of the working hours, I really enjoyed my time and in all honesty, if I would not be in a relationship, I would want to work on board.

I have been able to escort a few Shore Excursions in Stavanger, Oslo and Denmark and once I have uploaded the pictures I will share them on the blog.

Until then I leave you with a layout I created this month for Papermaze, focussing on Monochromatics.

You can see the full post {here}

**click on image to enlarge**

Today, I am...

...back in my city of birth: Hamburg

I am lucky to have the day off to meet with my family, who I haven't seen in a year - we get to spend the whole day together before I have to be back on board.

 Image found via: Google Image Search

People keep asking me if I miss Germany and Hamburg in particular and if I would want to move back.

In a word: No.

There will always be a space in my heart for Hamburg and its people and I love to visit once in a while but in all honesty, I would not want to live there anymore.

I feel so comfortable and settled where I live and to me home is and will remain England - I cannot see that change in my lifetime (but never say never, you just do not know what life throws at you)

But still, three cheers to: Hamburg, meine Perle :))))

Today, I am...

...in OSLO

Yesterday we called into STAVANGER

 all images found: via Google Image Search

Today, I am...

...going on board this beauty

Image found at: http://www.reeperbahn-reeperbahn.de/big-mamma.htm

This time it is not for a holiday but I am in fact working on board...yay, me!

Mr P is a little sad because he has to house-sit while I am battling it out on the high seas :)

We are now en route to our first call at Hamburg

Northern Splendours Pt III

You thought I'd forgotten, right?

To carry on with my pictures from my Norway voyage, right?

Wrong.

** click on any of the images if you wish to see them larger **

I had so many other bits to share that I put the piccies on the back burner, but here we are now -with the next stop at {{ Lofoten Islands }}. 

Famed for its wildlife, I actually had no intention to go ashore as I was tired from the previous two days and I also did not want to go on any of the (quite expensive) shore excursions.

Well, while I sat in one of the sun beds and looked around, I figured I should go - nothing to loose, right? And I would only kick myself afterwards having been at the Islands and not getting off. Because, let's face it - this is not a place you would specifically choose to be your main point of destination on a holiday.

So, I placed my behind in one of the tender boats and off I went ashore - the following picture was taken through a glass window. I am really pleased how it turned out, especially the Comoran taking off!

The water was crystal clear and to my surprise - HEAVING with jellyfish (pictures did not come out though)

Upon arrival at the Island, I found that the port information was pretty much bang on with the statement "there is nothing to do/see unless you go on a guided tour". There really was nothing there, other than one hill which you could climb on and have some sort of elevated view over the area. Some nice flowers and berries around but that was really it - oh the excitement of it all.

I took the shuttle bus into the next town and found that there was also nothing there...other than one wee shopping center and a cafe, bless.

But I was glad I went, because at least now I know I haven't missed anything and I got to see some form of wildlife. Just think that this could greet you in the waters of the Lofoten...

Da-dum

Da-dum

Da-dum-da-dum-da-dum

Any idea what fellas these pretties are? I know, but I wanna see your guesses in the comments section please.

There is a RAK in it:)

When we got back on the tender boat we had a really fantastic chauffeur/driver/captain steering-dude (heck knows what you call them when they drive tenders) who took us all the way below Queen Mary 2's bow while we were waiting for our berth to clear. The photo opportunity was just mind blowing and I think I may have even squeaked out loud in excitement at some stage...

The next stop was another one of those "do-I-really-need-to-get-off" tender ports at the {{ North Cape }}.

Watcha think - did I or didn't I?

Northern Splendours Pt II

I am so worn out from only four days at the office that you have to look at the next lot of my pictures without too much drivel from me (yay! I can hear you shout....)

** click on any of the picture to enlarge their view **

So, we carried on to {{ Trondheim }} a university city only much prettier than most of the student cities I have come across over the years.

The Nidaros Cathedral

Just to the left of it a super cute old style bridge

Leading to parts of the Old Seaside town

Along some gorgeous Scandinavian houses

Up the hill to the old fortress

Here, once again I had a most fantastic view over the city

And "my" ship had once more difficulties hiding

Shortly before I made the walk back down into town I noticed that Norwegian Television was actually filming a childrens programme inside the fortress. Of course I had to stop and take a picture of this totally cute dragon (and the guy inside the dragon was even cuter...but, shhhhhhhhhh)

The view of leaving Trondheim at any place on deck was just awesome...and it went on for hours like this

Once again, it is my feeties to wave this post goodbye and get a well-earned rest before we hit onto the {{ Lofoten Islands }}

Northern Splendours Pt I

Before I tell you a little more about my wonderful voyage on board my beloved {{ Queen Mary 2 }}, let me share a card with you, which I created today, using the uber cute {{ Mooey }} to be entered into the following challenges:

Cupcake Craft #106 - Let's get digital
Die Cut Dreams #63 - Soft Shades of Vintage
Everything But The Kitchen Sink #22 - Hair Accessories
Operation Write Home S&S #32 - Sketch

** click on any of the images within this post to enlarge them **

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Papermill; Staples ** Papers: October Afternoon; My Minds Eye ** Digital Stamp: Some Odd Girl ** Stickers: October Afternoon; Jenni Bowlin ** Tools: ProMarkers; Uniball Signo Pens ** Other: Pearls - Papercellar; Rhinestones - Kaisercraft; Rhinestone Hairclip - Asda; Lace

Now that I have gotten the crafty bits done (and trust me, after 14 days away from my craft table it is REALLY hard to get mojo out of her corner....), let's continue with the pictures from my trip.

First stop was Bergen, where the shuttle bus dropped us pretty much at the main square with lots of funky artwork and a lovely fountain. Early in the morning, it was still a little overcast but this picture came out nice nevertheless.

First off, I made my way to the famous {{ fish market }} which is open daily and not only offers you fresh fish (d'uh) and other farmer's produce but also lots of knick-knacks and souvenirs. The fish is so fresh, that it is kept in tanks alive for you to hand pick. There were oodles of huge crabs and I was totally fascinated by this blue lobster.

Opposite the fish market you will find {{ Bryggen }} the old style waterfront high street - lots of colourful shops and café's.

If  you are in Bergen, you simply MUST go up to {{ Mount Floyen }} to get spectacular overviews of this beautiful city. You can get a return ticket for NOK 70.00 (which is about £7.00/$12.00) on the famous funicular

But if you are good on foot, just buy a single to get up the mountain and walk back down, as you will be faced with the wonderful views of the back streets such as these

Naturally, the best bit is being up on top and looking down on Bergen magnificent scenery, of and can you spot "my" ship in the second picture? Yup, she is THAT big to be unable to hide anywhere in port.

After a glorious day in Bergen, I made my way back to the ship to treat myself to a nice and ice cold beer from the deck bar, while enjoying the sailaway

Soon after we were getting ready for dinner and prepared ourselves for the next day at {{ Trondheim }}

I am bahaaaaaaack

...well, physically I am back but not mentally - my brain is in a "whoa-is-me" whiny mode as I brought back a big-fat cold as a souvenir from my holiday *pouts*.

But that aside I had a great time and the last ten days were the most relaxing I have had in a long time. Cruising the Norwegian Coastline and visiting awesome places in Norway (such as Bergen, Trondheim, Alesund) was a wonderful experience and I only wish Mr P would have shared this experience with me. Alas, he is not one for cruising so I took my Mum and we had a fabulous time together.

I took way over 500 pictures but don't fret - I won't bore you with all of them. Just a few here and there  over the next couple of days should do, right?

So, let's start with the Sailaway from Hamburg - I always wanted to experience the show that my birthplace puts on for Queen Mary 2 and all I can say is WOW. The harbour was full of sparkly lights everywhere and little boats accompanied Queen Mary 2 along her journey on the Elbe with a magnificent firework display to finish the evening off. It was difficult to get some good shots as all the open deck areas were packed with people - so here are two that came out best:

** click on any of the pictures to enlarge their view **

The first two days were spent at sea and I spent most time showing Mum around the vessel.

Whilst her favourite place turned out the be in the smokers area on Deck 8, she could not resist a shot in front of that famous red funnel - and of course I got in on the fun too :)

During the first two days I started taking pictures of my feet including the surrounding areas (i.e. "my feet and the North Sea" or "my feet and the Skagarak"). Why did I do that? No idea, it just seemed like a good idea at the time, so you will have to just sit through it :)))

Ready for the first lot? Meet my feet cruising through the North Sea and Skagarak: