The disappointment was the Fishery museum. I am not sure what I expected but I had recently been to the island museum at Molde and found it remarkably interesting. This one was not.

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The panelled breakfast room is delightful and the breakfast itself is very good, enabling you to eat enough for a very light lunch to suffice.

It may be 'only' a replica, but it's a terrific piece of a building and, of course, it shows just what the original was like. My photos do not reveal the exterior clearly and it's worth looking at this for a picture that is taken from the air.

The buildings demonstrate the way of life of the people of the centuries when they were built and, in addition to the church, there are the baker's, the barber's, and the chemist's among others. The guide regarded it as unlikely that more buildings would be acquired because any older places that might become available would have a much higher market value these days. This has to be good in that they will stay in their proper locations but I cannot help feeling glad that the existing ones were acquired.

This is not as good as the outdoor museum in Oslo - which is my overall favorite - and it would come as an anticlimax if you have recently been to the latter. But in any other circumstances, it is well worth seeing. The museum is unfortunately only open from mid-May to the end of August. I know the tourist season in Norway has to be short, but I'm not sure it has to be SO short.

The views from the top are quite magnificent and it is worth just strolling round and enjoying them before you think of anything else. If you want an icecream or a snack to aid your enjoyment, they are available and there is also what is said to be an excelent restaurant. The town is laid out below you and beyond that are islands and channels galore.

The shop which sells postcards will laso supply you with a guide to the various walks and you could well spend quite a time doing a few. Do walk down if you can, even if you cannot think of doing any uphill walking. The views all the way and the close-up views lower down of new and older housing are wonderful. Most of the way is like a rural stroll - even though it is only minutes from the centre of Norway's second city. Moreover, unusually in my experience, the fare for up only is exactly half the fare for the return trip!

Fish for taking away and cooking yourself are not a lot of use unless you are on your way to a self-catering accommodation, but if you are this is a remarkable choice. Mainly, however, it's ideal as a source for picnics and there is a splendid baker's shop alongside to obtain an outside for your buddies.

Opposite is Bryggen. There were probably buildings here in the 11th century but it was in the 14th that the Hanseatic League was created. This was a German merchants' guild which had a monopoly over trade, not only in Bergen but all up the West coast, for about 400 years. The buildings there today were associated with this trade and were built in the 18th century to replace buildings which were destroyed by fire. The lovely fronts of these buildings form a very well known tableau. They are still in use as shops and restaurants with a couple of museums.

Shortly after passing Bryggen you'll be beside the main area for the international ferries and beyond that is the Museum of Fishery which seemed to me as rather unimaginative, especially when compared with the wonderful one on a little island off Molde.

In general, though, this is a great place to wander around and enjoy - except when it is really raining, and here really means REALLY. If this happens, forget about wonderful outside tableaus and go to see the Bryggen museum.