A Viking good time in Oslo.

It was hard to cull all of my photos from Oslo for this post. There were so many wonderful things about this city I'd love to share here but.... the above will suffice... for now.

We were invited to the most incredible lunch at A's sisters. They live in one of the most beautiful streets in Oslo. Aud cooked everything without onion or garlic for the L.F. and my, what a spread she put on. It was to die for. The food, the apartment and the hospitality! We were totally in love with everything about this place and the people. Thank you A & T for showing us the very best of Oslo it was definitely a highlight for us. An eight hour lunch, in an overwhelmingly beautiful 1880's apartment impeccably renovated (T is an architect who truly loves his work... Monday mornings are a dream for him).   We also took a meander to Vigeland Park ..... which was definitely needed to make room for the second round! Tussen tukk. xx

You can take a walk around the park here and check out what a driven man Gustav Vigelands must have been.  He certainly produced an impressive amount of work in a short time.

The L.F. took us on a hike across town to experience 'true' Norwegian cuisine at Schroders Restaurant. He was determined to experience a slice of Harry Hole's world after reading the Jo Nesbo series. Stodgy Norwegian nosh and beers were the go!  The Apple Cake was a highlight for Z & me.

The L.F. rode 90km's on a hybrid bike, along the scenic route form Saltnes to Oslo, with a 68 year old, 6 time Olympian.....he agreed to the challenge after a couple of wines and it's definitely an experience he wont forget in a hurry.  Needless to say he was very quiet the following day.  Exhausted.

We visited the Viking museum, met up with a friend I hadn't seen in 12 years who has gone from a NY banker to house husband monk (he's loving life in Olso and couldn't be happier), climded the impressive Opera House, wondered the streets and lusted after the houses & managed to walk away from a store full of Norwegian ceramics in Grunerlokka without purchasing any! It took great restraint. Our time was short and there was soooo much more we would have loved to have seen here.....but what we managed in the time we had was perfect.

xx

PS. I neglected to mention that a rather rambunctious games of tiggy in Olaf Ryes Plass, the adventure playground at Vigeland Sculpture Park and many a running race were also highlights of our Olso adventure!

Klosa Cabin

Yesterday we took a trip out to A's parents cottage on lake Klosa.  It's in the southeastern corner of East Norway.  A's parents are over 80 and frequently stay in the cottage, accessible only by boat....and a steep climb up to the house.  'Mumma' A, as she introduced herself, greeted us at the car park in their dinghy (which Poppa A had built).  She was bright eyed and looking gorgeous.....her outfit complete with a necklace and a pair of wellingtons.
There is no electricity and running water is pumped directly from the lake, if you're lucky enough to have a functioning pump.  There are only a handful of houses scattered  around the lake and strict building restrictions prevent any new houses from being built. It was absolutely stunning.

We took a rather nippy dip in the lake.  It was definitely colder than Lorne .......but not as cold as the calanques.  Totally exhilarating, no doubt our screams could be heard all the way back in Rakkestad.  Once back at the cabin we warmed up with a cup of tea and some lefse on the sheepskin chairs!  You've no idea just how cozy these chairs are.

We felt incredibly privileged to experience such an untouched part of the countryside and for being so enthusiastically and openly welcomed into their family..... on such limited Norwegian! Tusen takk (thank you very much) & Ha det bra (goodbye) being the extent of it.

What a wonderful way to spend a day. Tusen takk xxxx

Norway

We arrived in Norway 3 days ago and it feels like we've been here for a month already, in a good way. Our friends A, C & S, who live part time in Elwood, have been the most incredible hosts.  A & I met at meditation over a year ago & made an instant connection.  

We are staying in A's music room in a small town, Saltnes, south of Oslo.  It's about an hours drive from the capital.  

We have all  fallen in love with the traditional red timber cottages dotting the Norwegian landscape and the relaxed way of life here....in the summertime!

Highlights have been:

• the generous hospitality of our friends!
• the weather, the sun has been out most of our stay.....which apparently is no mean feat here in Norway, even in the summer.
• a girls trip to see Nabucco, Verdi's Opera at Fredrikstad Fort, Halden 
• a boat trip around the surrounding coast & buying local fish at a tiny seaside village, Engelsviken, for dinner.
• a visit to Solberg Tower...a project that cost 47 million to build... it's an incredible building, 30m high which gives a historical view of the history from the Ice Age to present day in the surrounding area.
• lunch in Sweden...but I'll save that for another post.     xx