Wednesday 5 August 2015

A Tour of a Trip..and on to the End

Have you joined the Scavenger Hunt? That would be Rinda's annual Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt, to be grand, and simply "the hunt" to everyone who has been preoccupied, over the last month, with crossing things off the list. My list ticking was done on holiday and I've already told the story of around half my finds here

When you left me I was sitting on a bench, looking over a body of water. But that photo wasn't mine. So I hauled myself to my feet, packed away my book in my rucksack, and set out to explore. The water was all around, of course: so green, so inviting, so deep: jump into a fjord, though, and you might never come back (no 20: a natural body of water)



It was beautiful, but it was chilly and more than a little damp. Maybe that explains why we didn't see too many campers: we found just the one.


though one was enough (no 9: a tent)

It's probably a bit like home, we decided, with everyone huddling inside until the clouds clear, and then dashing outside to air their children and walk their dogs (no 3: person walking a dog)



On the last day, then, we took the weight off our anoraks with a bus tour, which had the good sense to stop at all the right places (no 12: a public restroom)



and to slow down when required (no 14: a traffic signal)



We were heading for the home of the composer Edvard Grieg, for a concert and tour of his house. In the concert hall we sat up high and took in the view, which was the very same one Grieg himself would have seen. That's his little red hut right there (no 16: a panoramic view from somewhere high)



where he wrote. It's not hard to imagine falling into The Hall of the Mountain King, just round the next corner.

And that was the end. It was time to go home. We made our way back to the ship and set sail for Southampton.

Aah, but wait. We had planned a few days road tripping before we gave in and came back to work; which was useful because I hadn't quite finished ticking things off my list. I found some rather nice flowers at a favourite stop (no 1: a bouquet of flowers)



and as we got closer to where we had in mind to stop for the night we went by the Forth Bridge (no 6: a metal bridge)



It was wet, it was dark but after a good night's sleep we were ready for a new quest.



The university of St Andrews: it must be here somewhere? We checked out a few universities - all Scottish - and made a few notes. There are application forms to fill in soon.

We couldn't put it off any longer, then. We had to search out home. Which is where you'll find me today, catching up on some blog reading. Well, would you look at that! It would appear to be (no 7: a turtle)



That leaves me only one more to find: a flag pole with at least three flags on it? No: not even on the ship. I have flags



but no pole. I am poleaxed, felled at the finishing line. For the moment, at least. Let the fun last a little longer!

32 comments:

Eileen T said...

I love the story of your hunting and finds. Good luck with the flags - I found mine in London in the end.

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

I, too, love the way you have shared your finds in a storytelling kind of way. The turtle? Now that was very clever thinking. I have a fair way to go yet, but think that flag pole will be my undoing this year.

Susanne said...

What a fun way to document your vacation. Hoping there are a few more coming.

This West London Life said...

A great collection! I was also stuck with the the three flags, uutil I spotted them at the Warrior Wedding. Now I just need the photo of me with the sign.

Karen said...

Wonderful!!! I love reading about your vacation;the photos are delightful. Love the panoramic view--what fun! And a brilliant idea to photograph Deb's blog for #7. There's always one item that seems to be the hardest each year. The flags are it for 2015. Although I had a flag photo from the Calgary Stampede, I was still hoping for three "real" flags on a pole. Thanks to Tracy, I got a shot of the flags we saw in June on the Ohio Turnpike. I'll be sharing them during the August roundup. I have just one more item to find.

Ali said...

Great post, with fab pictures (as always :-) ). Gah! am sure you'll find a flag pole with 3 flags on xx

Lizzy Hill said...

What a fabulous way to show us your holiday as well as finding the photos. I was so keen to do this, but have collapsed into a pile....a bit like your flags! Loved the doors on those loos I must say!!!

Patio Postcards said...

What a fun read. I really like your public bathroom/restroom find - on that one, my mind went quickly to thoughts about composting. Nice framed photo of the floral bouquet.

Lou said...

ahhh that was us in our tent in the pouring rain :) Great photos, it's good to find things that I wouldn't normally associate with our holidays x

MonicaB said...

Great photos and I love your story behind them.

Lady Ella said...

Interested to hear you went to Grieg's house. How was the concert? I once went to a Chopin concert at his birthplace and it felt quite special! Intrigued by Norwegian traffic lights - why amber at the top I wonder, and do the other colours have letters too? I'm going to have to research this matter!

Melissa said...

Great finds for the hunt! Looks like it was a fabulous trip. (I'm still searching for the elusive three flags on a pole, too!)

Julia said...

Love the way you've written this with a little story behind each one. And he roof on those toilets is fabulous!

scrappyjacky said...

Some great finds there.....I'm a bit behind......and the flagpole......probably impossible for me!!

Sian said...

It was wonderful. As my daughter pointed out, the best bit was that the pianist didn't just play, he explained in English how he felt about each piece first

Sandra said...

You've such a fun collection there Sian and a great post for sure xx

helena said...

beautiful looking fjord even with the very low cloud and so clever on the turtle find

Jo said...

What a fantastic holiday with lovely photos x

Maggie said...

Your holiday looks wonderful Sian. I am quite jealous. I am still amazed at the miles you covered. I really like your panoramic photo. That flag pole is just so elusive!

Maggie said...

Oh and forgot to say. I love the green loos too!

Jane said...

I'm jealous of the turtle one, wish I'd thought of that!

Jennifer Shaw said...

Oh your photo finds are terrific and what a fun way to see your holiday adventures. We are stumped on the flag pole challenge too. We have found 2 flags on one pole but never three. We thought it was a Canadian thing since we have lots of space here, so there are usually three poles lined up. We even looked at cultural centers and a flag shop. It is the only one I can't get and it is driving me nuts. I even found all the substitutes. Good luck. Those bathrooms look amazing!

Sandie said...

Well, where do I start Sian? You made me laugh (turtle), smile and thoroughly enjoy reading about your holiday. What a lovely time you must have had, rain or no rain! Lovely to have you back x

Miriam said...

Oh Sian this must win the prize for the best story of the scavenger hunt, surely! The flags are evading me. I asked Paul whether we could go by the car showrooms, (they have hundreds of long tall flags on their hundreds of poles) in the 'dead of night' and with my sharpest scissors, cut one of them into three? I'm still item15less.

Barbara Eads said...

You certainly found quite a few of the items on your list---and most interesting too: the turtle (I'm sure Deb appreciates that) and the public restroom---what an interesting place. Leave it to you to find the unusual things. I loved St. Andrews when we were there!

Gail said...

Love how you use your annual vacation oops holiday to find your hunt pictures and I love that turtle one!

Missus Wookie said...

I like the way you spin the story as we go through the photos :)

alexa said...

I have so enjoyed your holiday posts and photos for the Scavenger Hunt - beautifully done, Sian. St. Andrews? Oh! I know it well :). Is this for the NSSO?

Sian said...

Yes..she's thinking about it. There, and everywhere else in Scotland

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Your lovely dialogue goes well with the photos. Not sure which came first, the lovely stories or the beautiful photos, but I really like both.

I can't find flag pole with three flags, either, but then, I live in a land locked area, too. Your attempt to capture one was brilliant, though.

BJ said...

Know what you mean about the flagpole, so I just had to resort to making my own yesterday (it's not in my August round-up as a result but it's on my blog and will be included at the end of the hunt too). Love your view from up high and the restroom. BJ

JansArtyJunk said...

Fabulous finds and pics.... Good luck hunting for your flags.... It's a tricky one! :)

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