Depart Barcelona and Fly to Oslo via Frankfurt 29 August 2022

We had woke early with an alarm to make sure. After this we repacked the cases with the overnight gear and then checked out. We awaited the taxi to arrive and were a little nervous as we would usually use Blacklane to transfer us to the Airport.

Our stay in Barcelona, has been enjoyable and we covered plenty of ground and enjoyed all we did.

This morning all of our flights and arrangements appear to be working well.

We checked in with ease at Barcelona and the process was completed in lass than 10 minutes and we were assured our luggage would transfer directly to Oslo and the next we see of it will be on the Luggage Carousel in Oslo..

We went to the Business class lounge which was difficult to locate but was upstairs. We checked out about 20 minutes prior to the gate opening. The flight to Frankfurt was enjoyable we had a very good late breakfast.

On arrival in Frankfurt, the plane taxied for some 15 minutes and we seemed to be at one end of the air bridge. This was a tight transfer with our next flight due to depart at 13.35 pm after we arrived at 12.45 pm some five minutes later than scheduled. In addition, we had to walk quickly some 20 minutes from the arrival gate. But we made it, then had to be transferred by bus to our aircraft which was parked at the other end of the Airport. so after a 10-minute drive from the terminal, we were delivered to the plane and walked up the stairs with a sense of trepidation as given the transit arrangements we were concerned about our luggage. We were advised our luggage should make it from LH1125 to our flight to Oslo LK862.

Our flight to Oslo was excllent. We had on the prio flight flew over the French alps, just stunning scenery, much snow on the peaks and a perfect blue sky.

We were relaxed and we arrived at Oslo about 10 minutes behind schedule, primarily because we were a little late departing Frankfurt.

We exited the flight and made our way to Immigration and customs and passed through these quite quickly. We then walked slowly, with a sense of apprehension as to our luggage and hopefully its arrival. We were awaiting our luggage and the various groups began coming out of the conveyor, but there is no sign of ours.

We wait and are about the last of the passengers. No point in panicking but we quickly seek out the lost luggage area, which is managed by SAS. Ken completed the required paperwork. An agent from SAS airlines calls Frankfurt and is concerned that some luggage missed the flight and they will hopefully fly that up on the next flight and hopefully will be in Oslo late this evening. Disheartened and disappointed are appropriate descriptors of our nervousness and feelings. This hasnever happened to us on prior trips.

Nothing to do than get into Oslo and also consider what to do as far as clothing. It is suggested by SAS that we purchase a change of clothing and some toiletries. We think about this and decide we will wait until after we have checked in.

during all of this our Blacklane driver is texting inquiring where we are. We then contact him and arrange to be taken to our Hotel in Oslo, we can then think things through.

It is about an hour's drive from the airport to the Bondeheimen Hotel. We ride in a new top-of-the-line Tesla. But our stomachs are churning and we are worried. Our cruise check-in is 2.00 pm tomorrow..

The hotel is comfortable and well-located. All is fine and the staff is helpful. We decide to look for some clothing but the department stores ( all within 10 minute’s walk) look more aligned and appropriate for younger people, not the retirees that we are. We purchase a couple of pullovers and shirts and then toiletries.

Despite our best plans we decide to eat in and not venture outside as had been planned. We forgot the walk back to the Oslo Opera House etc.

So after feeling hopeless and disappointed we decided to go to Bed, hopefully, something will happen and perhaps our luggage will turn up. Let us hope !!! At about 01.45 am we received a text message confirming that they have found our luggage (first the blue and then the black cases) and they were shipped by a later flight or cargo flight and arrived in Oslo at 12.30 am. They were authorizing a contractor to pick up and then deliver tomorrow morning. We were encouraged.but remained concerned.

Subsequently, at 04.30 am we received a further message and then a phone call advising that the cases were on their way and the contractor has advised likely to be delivered to our hotel but 13.00 pm. We relax and then decide to do several other things anticipating that this might happen.

Ken decided to go out to Vigeland Park and Frogner Park to walk through the wonderful sculptures. He catches the train out and then walks to the Park.

It is about 6 stations then either a 15 minute walk or a tram ride to the entrance to the gardens.

He spends almost 2 hours walking through the park, taking in the range of sculptures in Vigeland Park. It is another stunning morning. Late Autumn with a light breeze. Ken is feeling good, there has been no other message regarding our luggage, so we are hopeful.

However, as he exits the Park to walk across to the tram station, he is knocked over by an e-scooter. The driver doesn’t stop. Ken is injured with a grazed arm below the elbow and a cut and bruised knee. Several people see him down on the ground on hands and knees. They are helpful and take me to a local chemist, who cleans me up, assures me that nothing is broken and that I should wear the gauze bandages that she provides and which I pay for. She said to clean it each day but expects to see a significant improvement over the next 2-3 days. Also, take panadene for 3 days, but she said to buy me a drink as I have been very fortunate and lucky!!.

She is lovely and refuses to take anything other than the bandages. The 2 people remaining insist on getting me back on the train. I am feeling humbled and appreciative. I was fortunate!! I eventually get back to the Hotel at 12.20 pm but there is no sign of the luggage and I am prepared to give the hotel instructions to contact Oceania and arrange to ship our luggage to the second port on 3rd day.

We are both a little frustrated and disappointed. Ken tries to ring the SAS representative/contractor. He knows nothing but says to remain confident. They know our issues and are doing everything to get the cases to us.

So we pack what we have left, feeling a little despondent, and proceed to check out.

As we come out of the lift we speak to a staff member and she says she hasn’t seen or heard anything, but as we come around the corner to reception we see two cases ( our cases). The counter staff hadn’t seen them delivered.

We experience an unbelievable sense of relief and joy.

The next step is to find a taxi and then make it to the port. There are taxis nearby the hotel and we get a small van. He doesn’t know the port but suggests there are only one or two ports/berths. We then drive for 5 minutes and find that the Oceania Serina is berthed in a small cargo area. Security and medical checking and verification are paramount and we go through 2 separate reviews.

We are then cleared, and our luggage is taken from us. We have photos taken for our security clearance and passports are validated and verified.

Then through immigration and subsequently to the gangway.

We are then welcomed on board the beautiful Serina, it is 2.15 pm and we are relieved and grateful. Ken sends a thank you to the SAS representative. He is glad it has worked out. He did a great job for us.

We are taken up to the buffet for lunch. following lunch, we are then able to access our suite. It is a beautiful cabin with refurbishment and a new colour scheme. It has been a challenging 24 hours and we are fortunate. Ken is feeling a bit better after being knocked over.