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Interesting facts about Bergen, as experienced by Phil and Keef during their recent visit:

1. Norwegians think that English football is better than sex. We know this because the taxi driver who took us from the Airport to our hotel told us so. Supporting Liverpool is ‘better than sex’. Being at the Champions League final in Istanbul was ‘better than sex’. Beating Manchester United or Chelsea is ‘better than sex’. One can only surmise that Norwegian taxi drivers have unfulfilling private lives.
2. The Norwegian for ‘Thank you’ is Takk. It therefore stands for reason that the Norwegian for ‘Thank you very much’ is Takky Takky Takk Takk. Norwegians who look at me oddly when I said this, mostly, were sadly un-informed of their own language and its nuances.
3. Norway is both cold and very wet. Luckily, Norwegians give added respect and prestige to English travellers who turn up with big holes in their shoes and develop trench foot.
4. Norwegian beer is stupidly expensive (at one bar we were paying £7.50 per pint). This drawback is offset by the fact that the bars stay open late, and some pubs give away framed pictures to lucky punters who are still there at closing time. It is a Norwegian tradition that said pictures are smuggled out under clothing so the pub owner can ‘pretend to turn a blind eye’. This tradition is known as skamløs tyveri.
5. Big, boring royal halls filled with chairs are made far more exciting if you step into a partioned area, sit on the King’s seat and have your photograph taken wearing a silly hat.

I trust this representation of Bergen has been both informative and interesting. A visit is highly recommended.