Slackwater

Marseilles Vieux-Port (Old Port)

Marseilles

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Looming above Marseilles on the highest natural point in the city area, the Notre-Dame de la Garde (Our Lady of the Guard) is a formidable landmark from both sea and land. Built on the foundations of a  15th century fort, the basilica was consecrated on the 5th of June, 1864. Architect Henri-Jacques Espérandieu designed the church in a Neo-Byzantine style, and the construction allowed parts of the original fort to remain visible at the base. 

Saltstraumen

Approximately 400 000 000 cubic metres of water flows through Saltstraumen, the 150 metre wide, 3 kilometre long strait connecting the Norwegian Sea to Skjerstadfjorden, every six hours. The currents can reach 22 knots, making it the strongest tidal current in the world. The water brought down from the fjord attracts many different types of fish such as cod, saithe and coalfish (pollock). These in turn attract many different types of birds, marine predators and anglers. 

Svolværgeita

Svolværgeita (far left in the image) is a 150 metre high pinnacle that looms above the town of Svolvær on Austvågøya, an island in the Lofoten Archipeligo. The first climb was in 1910, apparently to settle a bet with a local hotel owner. Since then, the peak has become something of a destination for climbers, many leaping over the 1.5 metre gap between the "horns" on top for an extra thrill before descending. 

Lofoten Fisheries

It is estimated that the oceans of the Lofoten Islands have provided inhabitants with fish for over 10000 years, and records of commercial fishing operations in the area go back to around 1000 AD. Atlantic Cod and Halibut form the bulk of the catch, producing cod liver oil, stockfish and fresh table fish for both domestic and international markets. Fishing operations in the islands appear for the most part to have resisted the great push of industrialised fishing, moving instead towards a link with tourism. Nowadays it is still more common to see plump little wooden boats operating from weathered seaside homes than the massive steel fishing machines found elsewhere. 

Some Lofoten Landscapes

The Delicate Art of Curling

Thought to originate in Scotland some time in the 16th century, Curling is a gentle game similar in nature to Bowls and Bocce. The object is to slide large granite stones across an ice field, or curling sheet towards the house, a target made up of four concentric rings. Whichever team has the closest stone to the centre of the target at the end of the round scores. The culture of the game involves an unusual amount of good sportsmanship, sometimes referred to as the "Spirit of Curling". Typically, teams will congratulate good shots made by the opposing team, and apologise profusely for accidentally making a good shot. Both heckling and excessive celebration of gaining advantage are completely unacceptable.