There was time for a bit of a lie-in this morning, for some at least, as the museums do not open until 11am. A leisurely breakfast and picnic making meant we didn't have to think about food for a while. Eric was raring to go, the weather looked good again and it was time to explore the city a bit more.
Even though we were taking our time, arrival at the KODE museum was still earlier than expected, but the park outside the museum was a pleasant place to wait.
There are four buildings associated with the KODE and entry is free with the Bergen Card. Each has it's own shop associated with it, and cafe or restaurant. Some browsing was done while waiting for ticket. Aha, might have guessed it, two of the museum buildings are closed for renovation until the 23 May. We make the most of the other two. There's an Edvard Munch exhibition in one, plus local Norwegian artists. In the other there are some Old Masters and Norwegian related artists, plus a Modernist and Avant Garde exhibition. One of the Norwegian artists was famous for his rendition of cows as well as local rural life; another for woodcut prints on paper.
This one would go nicely in our house
Eric thinks that he could do better than these.
It's lunchtime when we exit the museum, and the park with the fountain once again provides the setting for our munching. One of us has secretly brought some chocolate along, which was enjoyed by both.
As were finishing our repast the sound of drumming was heard, and getting louder. People marching, carrying a flag and playing the drums came into the square at the start of the park.
Further investigation was required so we sauntered over to have a geek.
There were indeed people marching and playing the drums but we are still no wiser as to why.
We decide to have a wander in the area behind the museums,our hosts had left a map that indicated there were some interesting old houses in this area, as well as another two parks.
But first there was a statue of Edvard Greig for Eric to pose with.
And then some architecturally interesting houses
Being a sunny Saturday seems to have brought out all the university students and some families for...you guessed it, a barbecue with frankfurter sausages. The park is like a beach on the Costa del Sol, strewn with bodies in various stages of undress.
Some parts of the park are quiet
The people here are very responsible - the barbecues sit on the paths not on the grass, so they don't burn it.
There's also a pond at the bottom of the park (the hordes of people are just off camera and more joining them all the time).
Eric found this rather scary mural when we took a wrong turn.
A quick (?) retreat uphill and Eric finds another posing place.
Just outside the park as we leave is this rather splendid house
And following the road down to the next park, another set of old houses, in a terrace this time.
The space outside of what we understand is the Natural History Museum (and part of the University of Bergen) is small but perfectly formed. It is very tranquil with some lovely flower beds in front of the colonnaded building.
Plus a good view back to those terraced houses
There is a wedding going on, with bride and groom having their photos taken in these cloisters beneath the building.
As we have been walking for a while now, we take a well-deserved rest break and watch the world go by. Eventually it becomes too hot on the seat we are on and we resume our stroll to look for some shade. Through the remainder of the gardens we find that the bride, groom and photographer are following us to each place. They must want Eric in their photos.
Now it is out of this park and past St John's Church
Down the water feature steps back to the town Sentrum.
Where we make a note of a shop that might interest some of our readers.
As our 72h Bergen Card has expired and our new one not kicked in yet, we walk back to the accommodation, and onward to the Kiwi Mini Pris (supermarket) for some provisions to keep us going tomorrow.
Eric missed a potential new friend as he was back in the attic.
Have some dinner. Still light and sunny, plus our new Bergen Card is valid at 7pm so it's time to hop on the light rail to visit the Stave Church at Fantoft. The instructions say 'leave the station, turn left at the supermarket and follow the Stave Kirke sign'. What they didn't mention was that it is uphill! Slowly and surely we reach the required path at the top. It was worth the effort even though the church is not open in the evenings.
Eric shows us the way
There was a viewing platform for taking pics, and it was rather magical. May have to come back in the day to look inside.
Goodnight folks