Alesund

At last “The Shetland Bus”. I have been waiting for someone to mention the work the small fleet of fishing vessels that were used for evacuation of refugees from the Alesund area and the transportation of resistance fighters and supplies between Shetland and Norway during WW11. I bought a book about the subject when we were in Shetland a couple of years ago and forgot to bring it with me on this trip.

This fishing vessel, M/V Heland was one of the boats that was involved in these war time activities. It is part of the Sunnmore Open Air Museum which is a historic collection of houses and boats. The beautiful sunny day, 17 degrees C, was perfect for walking around the site.
 
As well as visiting this museum we visited Atlantic Park, an aquarium with a difference. We saw penguins, harbour seals being fed and the fish that inhabit the local waters.
 
During the morning before our trip we wandered round the town to view the Art Deco houses built after a massive fire in 1904 which destroyed 850 houses in the centre of the town. Rebuilding was speedy and gave the opportunity to include a new style of architecture at the time.
 
Another great day. Boats, penguins, seals and sunshine, what more could you want!! The penguin is special for R Jnr x
 
Dinner in the Italian restaurant this evening :0)