Alesund

Our final destination stop was Alesund. This is a very pretty town in southern Norway built on a peninsula. All the houses are painted pretty colours and a lot of the architecture is all very Art Nouveau based. This is because the town itself was completely burnt to the ground In 1904 by a fire for which they never found the original cause. The whole town had to be rebuilt and this became a huge National Effort and a lot of prominent and up and coming architects flocked to the town to stick there 20 pence in. Consequently the town is very heavily Art Nouveau which was very fashionable at the time. There is this wonderful Museum just off the harbour which is a very beautiful Art Nouveau house. It has amazing panelling, doors, wallpaper, and it's all furnished with beautiful art Nouveau Furniture. It also house a collection of of enameled Art Nouveau Trinkets,boxes, spoons, jewellery, very very beautiful. 

 There is an interesting collection of old books and paintings as well.Downstairs, there is this weird thing - a 'time machine' Promising a short film about the history of the town... and actually the film which is about the destruction of alesund by fire is very good and very informative.... but in order to get there you have to go in this box like lift affair - which isnt actually a lift... And I have to say it was one of the most uncomfortable experience I've had for a long time. You go through the lift doors And they close and you're suddenly enclosed in this little grey box with kind of portholes around the edge and it feels like some cell/ coalcellar theres something nasty in the woodshed feel... - Very unpleasant - in fact I didn't like it all - I wanted out!!!  You are only in there for about 15 seconds but nobody tells you this on a suddenly wondered if I was going to do 15 minutes there (Because that's how long the film was advertised to be)! Fortunatly it just counts you down from today to 1904 and then the other doors open and you're out! Through to this little place where you sit and you watch this very well presented film. But I'm just warning you about this weird entrance affair so if you go, you know! It's not as terrifying as I actually felt it was....  I never realised how claustrophobic I actually am🤣🤣🤣

There is another short film in the basement about the whole Art Noveau movement. Worth a look if you are interested in this period which coverrd painting, writing, architecture, clothing, furniture and was a global trend this museum is worth a visit.

We wandered through the town, passingly admiring a ridiculous collection of rubber ducks.. well I did... Dr Fred wasn't particulary impressed. and back to base... we had a combination afternoon tea at the poolside and the cafe catching up with everyones excitement about the aurora the night before. I spent the rest of the afternoon sketching... I'm  still managing to contribute to drawing every day. 

We had been hoping for more amazing lights that night but it didnt happen - not on our watch anyway. Dr Fred and his colleague did a very spotted in between clouds stargazing session and then we all did a final supper club visit😒