31 July Oslo

While Chris was making a Pavlova to take to tomorrow's wedding. (We are not invited) Bill and I visited IKEA, which is a cross between Freedom Furniture, The Warehouse and Bunnings. We were just popping over to have a look to see what all the fuss was about. Apparently it is the place to get things for your home. We found the prices quite good. Light Bulbs were 1/3 the price we pay. Light fittings and kitset furniture were amazingly priced too. Started to get inspired to tackle the next house project, which according to some of our friends is way overdue.
On our return we visited Ella, Frank’s Mum and we met a few other members of the family. Bent’s wee son Marcus, his partner Stina, his sister Camilla, her two children Tia and Noah and Bent’s younger brother Ronnie. Ella is a deft hand at baking so the table was laden down with goodies. Spent a lovely time with her and the family. After that we visited Nina, in her inner city apartment which she bought recently. It is lovely, right in the centre of where it’s all happening but also very safe and quiet. It is in a very sought after neighbourhood. It was great catching up with her again. Nina is maid of honour at her friend's wedding that Chris has also been invited to. Today we were swapping cars as Nina is taking a load of stuff to tomorrow's wedding and the Jeep is the perfect workhorse for the job. Before heading home an opportunity was seized by Buzz in the form of an errant Ferrari because it would be rude not to. We head out of Oslo tomorrow. Decided to go on an overnight trip to Sweden, where and whether a Ferry is involved is still to be decided.

30 July DrØbak

What a cruisy day today. We didn’t do a great deal. Just lazed around and read books. I guess we have been on the go continuously hence the impromptu “time out’’day. We decided later on in the day to have a wee road trip to a quaint little town called DrØbak. Situated at the entrance of the Oslo Fjord, it is a seaside town dotted with pleasure craft and the occasional car ferry cruising toward Oslo. Across the bay is a fortress formally used as the sole naval defence of the Fjord. We wandered around the boutique shops and had dinner at a seafood restaurant. Later we popped into see Gerard and Elizabeth Joyce who live here. Gerard used to live in Huntly and has lived in Norway for the past 30 years. He is a builder by trade and married Elizabeth who is Norwegian. We had spent a couple of hours with them and by this time a storm was starting to brew. We braved the elements and made it home by midnight.

29 July Gol - Oslo

After a cozy evening and sleep, Our Hotel provided a luscious breakfast and they had a toaster. I was concerned about the egg and waffle chef’s preparation practices as she didn’t wear gloves and used her bare hands to shovel the waffles onto the plate. The next 24 hours could be crucial and here we are avoiding the swine flu. For all of you who care, we are healthy, bright eyed and bushy tailed. The drugs seem to be working.
The trip back to Oslo was delayed by a visit to Hadeland Glass Works. It is a destination in itself with a factory outlet and a series of buildings with shops to do with glass, interior design goodies, dinner ware, a Christmas shop etc all at outlet prices. We did not shop up large as we would have to freight anything back to NZ and the freight charge made it a waste of time. Hadeland also has a glass blowing factory and museum. The work that goes into the finished product does reflect the price. Back to Oslo and a load of washing to do.

Reply to Bruce, Not missing anything/anyone yet, having too much fun.

28 July Bergen - Gol

We all slept like logs in lovely comfy beds. Chris and I made an early walk and visit to the local supermarket to prepare for a scrumptious breakfast. No problems with circuit breakers today. One problem, Norwegians are not into toasters and don’t seem to bother with them. Chris raised her family on toast so they have come out right. Had to use the oven’s grill to achieve the same result. After checking out we decided to stay away from the museums, as we are museumed out. Decided to go on the Flåm Funicular, which goes up Mt Floyen, one of seven mountains in Bergen.The Funicular travels to the top of the mountain, which is 320m above sea level. There is a restaurant at the top and the usual tourist stuff. Our next port of call was a visit via cable car to the summit of Bergen’s tallest mountain Mt Ulriken 643m. We got there by double decker bus then joined the queues, as there were only 2 cable cars(One called Bruce & the other Perle). After absorbing the spectacular views and an ice cream it was down the mountain to a Fish and chip lunch at the fish market before embarking on the long trip to Gol. More spectacular scenery and heaps of tunnels to travel through, The longest one 25km long, Not much shorter than the tunnel under the English Channel but is recognized as the longest vehicular road tunnel in the world. There were many that were km long. We guess we have passed through about 100 tunnels in the last few days. After much driving we get to Gol which has fond memories for Chris. Staying at a very popular hotel then back to Oslo to do the washing then we may go some where else. Watch this space.

27 July Stryn - Bergen

Today posed its specific challenges with the planned long haul to Bergen we all decided a cooked breakfast was in order. I was breakfast cook for the day so battling over an ancient stove that was slow to heat to cook bacon and eggs, the circuit breaker gives up the ghost enshrouding the kitchen in darkness. Chris tried to alert the night porter who we discovered does not work at night or after hours. Oh dear. She helped herself to a 2 ring camp stove (she still possesses our Kiwi ingenuity. It is in our breeding) which proved to be old and decrepit. I took the goods to the camp cookhouse to make some inroads to breakfast or we would be arriving in Bergen after dark. A team effort by this time had fixed the circuit breaker then it was back on schedule though an hour later. We finally hit the road. The scenery was breathtaking with very little wind so was able to photograph amazing reflections. Just a small selection for you to savour. We decided to book an apartment enroute, which works best for the three of us, as we require 2 bedrooms. On finally reaching Bergen we discovered what we had booked. Harbour Apartments was a dream come true. Absolute waterfront on the 2nd floor. We view the cruise ships and Harbour Bridge. Contemporary to the max. Better than an upmarket hotel. Absolutely gorgeous with all the mod cons and we wouldn’t be overdoing the circuits this time. We would be happy to stay longer but too much to do. Had dinner at a great restaurant on the wharf and feasted on venison and reindeer ( Poor Bambi and Dancer) Chris is looking tired. We are wearing her out. At least she has a lovely bed to sleep in. We crash after photographing an amazing late sunset.

26 July Ringabu- Geiranger-Stryn

Left early today with both Chris and Bill sharing the driving. The scenery is awesome with our travels getting to high altitudes close to the mountain snow level. It is hard to believe that in winter it is ski and skate season where rivers and lakes freeze solid everywhere, and the landscape is buried by snow and ice. It is a surprise to see snow in summer within spitting distance. Bill drove the worst part of the route called the Trolls Ladder. This consists of steep hairpin bends at dizzying altitudes in the fog. Chris decided enough was enough and told Bill it was time for him to drive. I became the official photographer, snack kitchen and back seat driver.
The first views of the Geiranger Fiord were breathtaking and well worth the grueling miles to get there. We decided at this point to catch the car Ferry which leaves the Wharf to Hellesylt which is a trip of about 65 minutes through the Fiord. Very scenic. What better way to transport your car and get an excursion at the same time. After arriving at Hellesylt, we decided to travel a little further a field to get us closer to Bergen which we are heading toward tomorrow. This evening we are staying at Stryn ( known for its trout fishing , summer skiing and glaciers) in a two bedroom tourist cabin. It is very practical with 2 bedrooms, shower, kitchen and the like. It has a birch and grass roof which a lot of homes have in this country. It is great insulation for winter or summer. We jokingly say this cabin offers lake, rural and mountain views. How good is that? Went shopping. Norway has a supermarket chain named KIWI which as a franchise are as prevalent as Foodtown but not as big. Had Pizza for dinner with a yummy breakfast to follow in the morning. Expecting a 6 hour trip to Bergen so plan to leave early again.