Carnival Pride 10th June 2022 Part 6

Wednesday 15th June 2022 Overnight we have sailed further north and arrived in Molde, with a wide fjord between our berth here beside the town and looking out south towards more snow-capped mountains. It seems to have rained during the night but it looks as if everything is drying out now, which is a good sign for our morning plans. There are local ferries running from Molde to a small promontory of land a few miles away, where a landing point has been built; this in turn gives access to one of the many long-distance roads which give access to other parts of the country. These roads seem to hug the coast of this vast country, giving access to big or small towns. Looking at a map gives some idea of the network and its links.

Location of Vestnes One of my friends has planned what ferries can be sailed on this morning so we can get back to Molde by 4.30 p.m. latest for sailing time, and whilst we have all been invited to join him, I seem to be the only one happy to go along. I have been able to sail on many ferries over many years, and it seems automatic to see and sail on whatever happens to be available. Anyone who reads my Haynes World blog will know what I mean. After breakfast I met my ferry friend at the gangway and we set off at a fast pace along the local road to the ferry terminal. The ferries to Vestnes are run by the Boreal Company and one was loading lorries, cars and passengers as we arrived. Because this ferry connects to the long distance road route E39 we were about to see at Vestnes, pedestrian travel is free so we could simply climb on board the good ship PREIKESTOLEN and head up to the top deck . The weather was still a little damp but the sky was brightening and we had the pleasure of a 25 minute trip over to Vestnes ahead of us.

Part of Preikestolen We left the Molde ferry terminal and were soon heading past our CARNIVAL PRIDE. We were a little surprised not to see our friends waving to us as we sailed past but there was no sign of them. We were later told that they had been inside the breakfast buffet and waving to us, but they had been standing inside the darkened windows that allowed nothing and no-one to be seen from the outside! Ah well, the thought was there...

Carnival Pride

Meanwhile we were on our way across a narrow part of the fjord and 29 minutes later we were in Vestnes and disembarking. Several cars were waiting to board but we went into the nearby car park to watch PREIKEFTOKEN depart to go back to Molde. In the car park we were astonished to see a large bird sitting on a piece of metal fence near the ship, apparently undisturbed by all the movement around it. I couldn't recognise the bird but took several pictures to try and identify it when I get home.

The bird

What is it? The ferry departed and we were happy to sit and wait for the next one to arrive, which meant we could then sail on a new (to us) ferry back to Molde. It was pleasant waiting in the sunshine, still admiring the bird. Soon we could see TOMREFJORD sailing towards us. She disembarked her vehicles and passengers and we were then able to board. I think it was coffee time by then so we sailed back to Molde admiring the views of the calm water outside. In the distance towards the mouth of the fjord we could see very high mountains with snow on the top, a wondrous sight. We were soon back at the ferry terminal and ready to look for our next ship. No sooner had we disembarked than another friend arrived, breathless, but pleased to have found us. He decided he wanted to go on a ferry so ran all the way to the terminal to find us. Success!

Tomrefjord This time we were to sail on HAROYFJORD from Molde, back to Vestnes. All these three ferries this morning have been quite different in style but all comfortable, with pleasant staff in the shop serving drinks or goods that the travelling public might want to buy. We passed CARNIVAL PRIDE again. We arrived back in Vestnes but the bird had moved. This time we could have another look at the MoorMaster Automated Vacuum Mooring and the FerryCHARGER that can connect each ferry to the power point on the quayside, and watch it in action when necessary.

Haroyfjord

MoorMaster Automated Vacuum Mooring

FerryCHARGER We watched HAROYFJORD sail back to Molde and this time awaited the arrival of our fourth ferry of the morning, here in Vestnes. The VESTREFJORD arrived and we boarded, pleased to note that her builder's plate told us that she had been built in Turkey and joined the fleet only this year, 2022. Clouds still covered most of the sky overhead but the snow on the distant mountains still held the gaze as we sailed back to Molde.

On board Vestrefjord We had been on four ferries this morning and enjoyed all the journeys, from Molde to Vestnes and back. The scenery was beautiful, the water almost calm, and the vessels very interesting to visit. We disembarked and had time to watch VESTREFJORD prepare to leave, before heading into a small park near the terminal. The pink tulips were beautiful and the nearby waterfall tumbled noisily down the side of a street near us, obviously back down to the fjord.

Tulips in the park

One flower

Waterfall We headed back to CARNIVAL PRIDE with a few detours on the way. Molde is known as the city of roses, and one lovely statue with a female holding roses in her water-filled skirt caught our eyes as we walked past. We walked past the Hurtigruten sign on nearby fencing, and then we were home and ready to prepare for a late lunch. What a lovely morning, sailing on four ferries, in a lovely location.

The city of roses

Hurtigruten berth After lunch we noticed there were another three quizzes being held this afternoon, so we went along to one of them. It seemed to be the fifth one of the day today here in Molde - obviously a popular form of entertainment on board, wherever we were. Three of us took part and I have to say we were hopeless. It seems I have conveniently not made a note of the Trivia quiz subject. Later that afternoon we met on deck to watch departure from Molde and it was sunny and the air clear. AIDAbella was now berthed astern of us and various small craft could also be seen, including some of the ferries going to Vestnes. A big jet flew over us, preparing to land at Molde International airport by the look of it, and it was a very pleasant departure to enjoy from the deck.

Sailing away from Molde, AIDAbella astern

Ferries on their route to Vestnes Later we all met for a drink before dinner and this time we could start to celebrate a birthday. In the Normandie Restaurant after our main course, the staff presented our birthday celebrant with a special cake and candle for us all to share and enjoy as we sang Happy Birthday to him. He was also presented with a special gift from the three of us, to remind him of his admiration for the Empress of Canada of 1961, who became Carnival's first ship MARDI GRAS in 1972. The MARDI GRAS was his favourite ship, and he said he eventually managed to sail on it in 1998. We had found something special to buy for him here on board, relating to his favourite ship, so this was a happy birthday indeed. Overnight we will be sailing to Olden.

Ancient rocks I saw today Ships seen: Carnival Pride, Aidabella, PREIKESTOLEN, TOMREFJORD, HAROYFJORD, VESTREFJORD To be continued...