the ports the ship has called on since my boarding of the ship - we are very
fortunate - it has been a very wet and cold summer, some even claim there
has been no summer. I have been reluctant to discuss the weather - do not
want to jinx it!
Boarded a local boat for a ride among the skerries (local coastline) weaving
in and out of the stretches of sea and narrow sounds, local villages and old
outposts which are now used by most as vacation homes. The purple heather
was abundant, adding to the beauty.
Stopped for a visit in Lillesand, once bustling with maritime activity,
featuring white-painted 18th and 19th century timber houses. This is called
the "Jewel of Sorlandet" and currently has 8,200 residents (estimated to be
double during the summer). One could easily imagine spending a month or two
here.
Headed back to the city and saw some more "gossip mirrors" - mirrors placed
outside the upper floor windows, so that the busy bodies could keep an eye
on what is going on, without having to be obvious about it!
Since it is Sunday, most everything was closed, which made it all the more
quaint and less touristy.
