Carnival Pride 10th June 2022 Part 3

Sunday 12th June 2022 Early this morning we are due in Stavanger, Norway, a popular and busy port town in a beautiful setting. The day looked wet and it was raining outside as we came alongside. Our plans to take our own excursion on a local small vessel to a local sight had to be cancelled but new plans were made over breakfast as the rain seemed to be stopping. We decided to get off the ship and see what other vessels were nearby, or local sights within reasonable walking distance. The rain had stopped as we set off. We were soon able to take photographs of our ship CARNIVAL PRIDE so that was a good start;

as we rounded the local roadside pavement we saw an unexpected vessel just beside us, obviously constructed with rivets. It was the ROGALAND, a 1929 built Norwegian Passenger ship of 829 gross tons, with big signs on the quayside inviting members of the public to come on board and visit. We needed no second bidding and were soon climbing the gangway and being welcomed. We enjoyed touring the little ship and hearing about its wartime career, and seeing the many photographs in the various public rooms. Coffee and biscuits were available to buy to raise funds for the ship's maintenance, and I managed to get a few postcard pictures of the vessel. We all enjoyed getting on the forward fo'c'sle (forecastle) deck amongst the huge mooring ropes for more views around. I was talking with a member of the volunteer crew and asked if it might be possible please to visit the little Bridge whilst we were on here, and the answer was yes so we four enjoyed a private visit there. That was quite a treat for us all. We left the vessel after thanks and handshakes all round.

The rain soon started again so we decided to head back to our ship, and enjoy lunch. We noticed that the welcome sheet told us there would be a Trivia Quiz this afternoon so we decided to join in with that. With so many passengers back on board here in Stavanger because of the rain, lots of people had the same idea but I'm happy to note in my diary that we came top. We won the amazing CARNIVAL PRIDE TROPHY, and I was sent up to collect it from the quiz master. Oh the honour and glory of accepting it and being part of the winning team! It was suggested I give it house room down in my cabin, so I did. I hope I blushed prettily as I thanked my friends.

The rest of the day passed in a gentle manner until it was time to meet up again for drinks before dinner. Again we went for late dining in the Normandie Restaurant and after the main meal was served we enjoyed watching many of the waiters singing and dancing on small circular tables set amongst the dining tables. They obviously enjoyed it and I know we passengers certainly did. The show tonight was called The Flying Scotsman, which wasn't a train of course, but an energetic person entertaining us with chat and singing, as he frequently enjoyed twirling around the stage at speed in his tartan kilt. He had a lovely singing voice. Overnight we will be sailing further along the Norwegian coast, towards our next port of call of Skjolden. Ships seen: Sandnes, Rogaland, Carnival Pride, Havila Charisma built in 2012 To be continued...