Hole in the mountain

We continued with our scenic cruising today and just before mid-day the Captain alerted us to the view of Torghatten, the mountain with the hole.  Torghatten, which has become a popular landmark and a great attraction to hikers, rises to 846 ft and the hole, although appearing small here, is in fact a tunnel measuring 520 ft long, 66 ft wide with a height of 115ft. It was apparently formed during the ice age when ice and water slowly eroded looser rock leaving harder rock on the top. The more imaginative explanation for the hole is that a troll was so disappointed in love that he shot an arrow after the young girl who had spurned him. Happily the troll King on a neighbouring mountain was watching and threw his hat between the two. The arrow went straight through the hat and formed the hole after which the sun rose and everyone was turned to stone! I rather like the latter explanation.  


The cruise ship has only between 700 and 800 passengers on board and there is such a friendly atmosphere that even sea days are enjoyable with lots to do and plenty of folk to chat to, to say nothing of the exceptionally fine meals.  I am keeping relatively fit by walking up and down the stairs at every opportunity, never using the lifts and also enjoying the scenic cruising whilst walking laps round the decks. No guilty conscience when sampling the cocktails then!