Trondheim - 8th August

Somehow the fantasy of falling asleep on a gently moving train as it passes through a thunderstorm is slightly different to the reality. I fell asleep really quickly, but then kept waking with the movement so didn't feel as rested as if hoped first thing in the morning.

We didn't get room service or breakfast, not even a shower, but as we started walking the length of the train to the buffet car we had to pass through the premium plus carriage with their reclining seats, blankets and free coffee machine, so obviously we helped ourselves to coffee from there.

We had pull down seats outside our room in the corridor, so watched the world go by as our coffee cooled and we waited to arrive in Trondheim where we could go in search of more coffee and breakfast.

They did an announcement while we were sat there to say we had been delayed by 30 mins overnight due to lightning taking out the signalling system. Soon afterwards almost everyone's phone made a simultaneous noise as we all received a red level emergency broadcast! Apparently some rain the UK had over the weekend had strengthened and had become a named storm. We didn't think much of it at the time, busy considering where breakfast was coming from.

We knew that our hotel had a luggage storage, so thought we could bag drop and wander around before coming back to check in, but the guy on reception was amazing. Not only did he check us in straight away, he also invited us to breakfast there as a free treat from the hotel.

Well, couldn't resist, so bags dropped and we were soon tucking into a lovely continental breakfast and coffee.

Feeling sated we started to explore Trondheim, knowing our next train was tomorrow morning. Walk to the river to take the obligatory photo of Trondheim - tick. Visit the old bridge, yep.

Then we discovered the cycle lift, or rather Sam showed it to us, having been here about 5 years ago for a couple of hours. Basically, take one very large hill, a community that loves cycling and skiing and create a cable lift that you hook your foot onto as it pushes you up the hill.

Well, we watched as people came and zoomed up the hill, as tourists tried and failed miserably to use it effectively until in a fit of bravado Di and Alex went and hired a bike of their own for 30 mins for a couple of quid.

So we had 30 mins to master this simple technique as crowds gathered to cheer and take photos of our attempts. Safe to say we failed miserably but had an hilarious time doing it. Alex was the clear winner, getting about 5m from the starting point.

Bike back, we searched for an indoor venue for some celebratory cake, and a good job it was inside too as the heavens opened. We also got an email to say our train tomorrow had been cancelled, but we didn't worry as there were loads of others scheduled so thought it would be easy to get a replacement.

Wandered next to go and see the cathedral, which also houses a royal museum and the crown jewels. The cathedral is really impressive, someone was playing the organ as we wandered round, which was nice.

Just as we came out of the crypt, Alex started checking the other trains for tomorrow and realised it wasn't just our train that had been cancelled, but they'd closed the line, the other line we could have used, ferries we're no longer running, buses were also postponed.

Quick check on Avis rent a car and that showed us that it would cost ~ £700 plus fuel to drive ourselves to Oslo, our next stop. Flights were also a similar price and not something we really wanted to do.

Foregoing the jewels and royal museum, we zoomed down to the train station and spoke to someone official, who has rebooked us onto a train on Thursday, one of the only ones with space. We messaged the air BnB we have booked for 2 nights in Oslo to say we can't arrive so will only stay with them the one night (which obviously they're fine with) and have booked an extra night in Trondheim.

At the moment, we think we can get to Oslo for the train out, but we have to play it by ear. The news is full of stories of flooding, landslides and even train derailments. There should be an official update at lunchtime tomorrow.

To take our mind off the travel, Alex booked us into a nice restaurant for evening meal and a good job he did as they turned away group after group who hadn't booked. Sam gave us all food envy with his delicious reindeer stew.

Back at the hotel now, showered and relaxing ready to see what tomorrow brings.