We all cram into tender boats for the short five-minute ride to Kristiansand where our coach is ready for us.

Now we travel 20 km to the tiny village of Lillesand with its freshly painted white buildings.

Taking a small boat, we cruise the waterways admiring nature.

The traditional red and white predominantly holiday homes are attractive.

Mark is lapping up the view from the stern!!

Norway’s national flower is called Erica, commonly known as Scottish Heather. It’s a cold resistant under shrub and we observe some on the rocky outcrops here. There are also some ready for quick purchase in the supermarket too.

We passed by this enormous ship which services the oil fields – apparently one of the largest in the world!!

Back in Kristiansand, Norway’s fifth largest city, we wander the streets.

Mark’s hair was in need of urgent attention and fortuitously, we found this wonderful friendly barber on our way back to the ship. He looks at Mark’s hair and said he would do a George Clooney style cut!?!?

There is a tender boat waiting just for us back to the ship!

We are enjoying our meals in the dining room of the ship each night and as you can see gourmet entrees are healthy, small and creative but also delicious.