Norway: a land so grand even the dogs are heroes

Bamse was a fine ambassador for the land of the midnight sun and his gallant ways make him a great example for the MacNaughties

Well, we are back. It takes two hours to fly from Oslo to Edinburgh. We then spend a further six hours trying to get home. The reason is that someone has pinched signalling cables. Who steals railway wires, for goodness sake?!

Anyhow, such vandalism throws all into chaos. But now, safely back at the ranch, I can report that the holiday was a great success.

We return with clothes fitting rather more tightly than they did when we left – but, then, a diet of lobster thermidor and beef wellington is somewhat extravagant.

It is not every day we indulge thus, you understand. But on a cruise ship you can. If you want.

All that food makes us feel guilty so the chief and I gird our loins and step out energetically around the deck.

Mostly, though, we are to be found lounging on a balcony, book in hand, watching the world sail by.

And when the ship docks, we disembark to explore. To amble along eccentric cobbled streets and admire colourful wooden houses.

This is the land of the midnight sun, the air fresh and the light so bright it dazzles.

We make comparisons to home. The Norwegian fjords are fantastic but I still think our west coast – and our mountains – can compete.

However, when it comes to cleanliness, Norway wins hands-down.

This is a place where you search hard to find a scrap of litter.

It is the home of the super-fit and we see skis and push-bikes outside almost every abode.

It is also the home of explorers. Captain Roald Amundsen was the first man to reach the south pole, beating poor old Captain Robert Scott whose ship was built in the Dundee shipyards.

Norway boasts a celebrated dog with links to our part of the world.

Bamse was a St Bernard who became a mascot for members of the Royal Norwegian Forces who escaped occupied Norway during the Second World War and came to Scotland to help fight the Nazis.

Bamse was a gallant soul. He saved the lives of two seamen stationed on Tayside. But there was more. This gentle giant of the dog world was noted for his ability to calm fighting seamen – and for guiding drunken crew safely back to their ships from Dundee pubs.

Today a statue of Bamse stands on the dockside at Montrose, which is the place where he died. He is looking across the North Sea, towards his homeland.

I make a note to tell the MacNaughties about this paragon of animal virtue. Perhaps some St Bernard usefulness will rub off.

But first, on our return, we must be forgiven for abandoning our pets to their fate. Rummie the Norfolk greets us with suspicion. He sniffs my feet and pulls back.

He has forgotten who I am! Then I call his name and little paws tug at legs, waiting to be lifted up.

Well done, Norway! It seems absence really has made the heart grow fonder.

This gentle giant of the dog world was noted for his ability to calm fighting seamen – and for guiding drunken crew safely back to their ships

Bamse looks toward Norway, and home, from Montrose Harbour.