A few hours at the Design Museum

Close to Holland Park, off High Street Kensington is the Design museum.

I only recently realised it was there, which, when you consider I've lived in and around London most of my life.....

Unfortunately, the change over of exhibits was occurring on the first floor so we only had the top floor open.

However, it wasn't any less absorbing.

The top floor exhibition looked at objects and tools we are all so used to, we wouldn't think about where they originated, who's idea it was and who were the people demanding it.

Going from the layout of the tube in London, to type faces and different fonts. Then onto furniture, clothing, kitchens and all sorts of consumer items including computers, televisions, cameras.....the works.

Novel. A set of acrylic nails with the oyster card impregnated into the nail.

Without fonts, we wouldn't see information anywhere. Just imagine it.

this chair blew me away. Cardboard!! But extremely strong 'edge board'. Actually, the walls in my maisonette where made of this.

an iconic poster which sums a lot up for me.

Yes, I will go back and explore the new exhibition on the first floor, then stroll through Holland Park up to 
Holland Park Station. 

Well, as long as it's a nice day.

Here are a few pictures...

I didn't have the band width to put up too many pictures whilst I was away so here are a few more....

Shirley and I sitting at the coffee house in Bergen. Coffee fabulous, cinnamon buns, the best!

Amazing clouds as well as plane movements over the bay in Alta.

The light in the arctic circle is far bluer when compared to our quite grey lighting in the UK. The ship is a small navy vessel coming in to determine who was moored up. 

Us obviously. 

Night shot of Alta harbour. Most of the detail was lost to the naked eye. 

The final push

Two more sea days. Not much to do and certainly not the weather to be outside. The fog horn rings out and helicopter movement can be heard from time to time as we pass the Shetland oil field.

The weather system we spent much of our time avoiding passed us and travelled further into Norway and beyond so our passage was quiet.

Day two arrived and both Shirley and I are packed. We're ready to go home now. 

Too many sea days for us made more claustrophobic by the weather which kept up inside.

Nope. Last time north for both of us.

We have 2 more booked and both should see brighter skies, warmer air.

I crave some sun.

Back early tomorrow and then its getting back to the garden. So much to do......as always.

Post Script 

Such is the vagueries of the weather, after a long and most unpleasant journey through fog, mist, rain and of course wind, we managed to hit the next button: sun.

part of the wind farm off the Anlian coast

Shirley and I had a few hours out on the Lido deck enjoying the sun then back in for the rest of the afternoon.....cookies call 😁

As a post script

Ålesund as we ate dinner, just before pulling away and heading for Portsmouth.

Ålesund part 2

As you can see here, like many coastal towns, much of the development is on the slopes. It's sad the weather was as atrocious as it was because I suspect Ålesund would be a pretty place to explore.

There are many coffee houses around but as you can imagine, few locals are out today, it was just the ubiquitous red jackets of a cruise ship.

I did take a photo for a couple from our ship. With rain dripping off their hoods and a brave smile, they stood with their backs to the railing on the bridge pretending they held one another out of love not necessity.

I noted this from a way off so wandered back.

When I got off the ship I went right, into the town itself. This building was the other way. I back tracked and followed a road to find it.

I love wall art and this was particularly poignant because of the top advert...

A company run by a friend of mine in UK; it's not glazing though, its engineering, electronics and electrical. A tad different.

If the weather had been better I would have continued my wander, but I was now soaked. Even the waterproof jacket was letting in water.

I popped into a tourist shop to buy some fridge magnets (good excuse to use up the last of my krona). As I tipped my head forward to get my money out of my pocket, I cascaded wet off my hood all over her counter.

Embarrassing or what!

Getting back on board was equally tough. By this time we had entered another squall where the rain was blowing horizontally and the winds blew you off your feet.

Those servicing the gangway had to reposition it before we could go up. Not only was it steep but they needed netting around it just in case we were blown off.

Each one of us was pleased to be back on board.

First stop, cabin. Strip off, hang clothes up to dry, climb in a shower, get warm, have a hot drink and write this.

I ain't getting off again, not until we reach Portsmouth our next and final destination. 

Two days sailing. I wonder what the North Sea has lined up for us?

😳 this isnt just any wind and rain.....

I can hear the M+S advertisement in my head. No, its definitely M+S weather that's for sure. 

We came in relatively quietly. Presumably the worst of the storm was yet to come, and when it hit.....

I looked out the window at around 03:20 and saw nothing but white water in the harbour. I could only imagine what port side was getting.

Shirley and I were going to get off and have a mooch but the weather had other ideas.

Winds gusting so forcefully they'd knock you off your feet and driving rain getting inside even the best waterproofs.

I suggested she stayed onboard. 

As I disembarked I had the pleasure of a rather beautiful tanker. Mm. Fancy the unit!!

Making my way through the puddles, I got myself into and area the other side of the new road laying and wandered toward the park where there was a viewing platform at the top.

No, I didn't climb the hill. In that wind? on a zig zag, narrow path with uneven steps? Nope, I value my life. In this wind I honestly believe it would have been too dangerous. 

I walked on.

How many remember these bikes I wonder? This one was in surprisingly good condition considering its age.

Was rather amused by Darth Vada riding it.

Must be a 60s or early 70s? Again, looked in very good condition. 

Was blown further up the hill passed an old building; very dilapidated but still held a charm about it.

Crossing over, I went along a narrow side street where the wind wasnt so strong. 

Love things like that......

Hard push, maximum speed, chased by the storms.

We made it and we beat it.

We arrived in Ålesund at 19:00 and were finally docked at 20:00. 

From the cabin as we were turning to take up position

The white water in the bay was extensive. With high winds and driving rain,we were nicely nestled into a safe harbour well away from high seas and the lethal wind gusts.

So, weather permitting, it's a wander around a very pretty place. The architecture is quite different here; I only hope I can do it justice in this weather.

Hopefully,  Shirley and I will get off, if nothing else, to find a coffee shop and enjoy a final coffee and cinnamon bun together.....Bergen still comes out on top at the moment.