July 20 Bergen in a flash!

Reluctant to let me escape, Melbourne still stretches its long fingers to steal from me much needed sleep. But while I drift in that sleep-wake state of ‘jet-lag’ I dream - of course! Like an old Super 8mm holiday movie,  my mind flickers through images of Bergen from our walks and bus ride. Known as the city between the seven mountains, Bergen derives its name from its location - its original name meant ‘plain between the mountains’. That is indeed what it is. We drove around the water’s edge learning a little of its long maritime and trading history and also that today it exports over 2 million tons of fish and fish products per year! Once again I realise I have so much to learn. For example I wasn’t aware of the German influence on Bergen.  Hanseatic merchants from Northern Germany sailed into Bergen in the 13th century to exchange grain for stockfish from Northern Norway; stock fish is air dried fish and is still exported (we saw lots in the fish market). This Hanseatic trading activity over the course of 400 years made Bergen one of Northern Europe’s most important trading hubs for centuries. From the water’s edge, we headed up and down cobbled streets taking in a little of Bergen - new and old. Sorry I don’t have pix to share but I was too engrossed to take any (I know that's a strange phenomenon for me but there you have it). We passed through sun-showers and sunny skies and on into grey dribbling rain - but nothing damped our spirits. Reluctant to let the day go, we sat for ages over a couple of drinks and watched the passing throng - people rushing to escape the rain, a woman devouring a large bag of huge strawberries while sheltering from the rain, people nursing drinks like us, groups playing cards sipping tea, cyclists and dog walkers - a colourful dynamic postcard. 

Then when finally the dregs of our drinks had been drained, with pizza in hand (I know we weren't in Italy but couldn't get into any local restaurants at that time) we headed for our wee pod passing on our way small groups of rather majestic hooded crows regaled in stunning fawn and black. Lovely creatures.