Norway - Day One

 

After that long break I've decided to finish reflecting on my sabbatical in 2023. In part I have to do all the photos anyway, and in part it is a thing of joy to look at those photos and to try to remember what we did over those three or more weeks.

We left St Georges with a number of other pilgrims in a sherut organized by the College. I was already feeling the effects of our food stall meal the night before, Bonnie started at the airport. It meant we were careful about what we ate and kept an eye for toilets. 

We flew through Warsaw on Polish Airlines, a Star Alliance member. That meant we had access to lounges, and I would earn enough points to keep gold status for another year.  It was a long day travailing and we were pleased to arrive in Oslo to be met by our friend and host, Kenneth. Kenneth was an exchange student who came to stay with us after his first hosts proved to be very inappropriate. It was so good to see him again and to see him in his house. He lives in Drammen overlooking Drammensfjorden. It is a beautiful l place to live and near his school, with good public transport into Oslo if he needs (or you leave your car at the large Ikea store and catch their shuttle in and out of Oslo - which he does as well.) 
Kenneth's board games 

The next day we had breakfast at his house. I still wasn't great but had decided to just enjoy the different foods and put up with what might happen. Wonderful foods like brown cheese. And then we set off.

First stop  was the amazing Kristefos sculpture Park. We had a great time there enjoying the sculptures in the gallery and around the park.  You can find some of my photos on Facebook. The wharepaku had these interesting videos playing on the wall.


 

After lunch we visited a glass factory, and then the Veien Kulturminnepark (viking house) near Hønefoss. This is a very hisotirc area with many barrows (grave sites) and remains of at least 4 Longhouses. This is one they have recreated on the site of one. 
Veien Kulturminnepark (viking house) near Hønefoss

And then we drone to the Krokskogen naturreservat and climbed up to the Kongens utsikt (The King's view) which had great views out over Tyrifjorden. And then we drone back to Kenneth's stopping to buy the makings of dinner on the way. Kenneth was not keen on eating out, it is too expensive. And so if he could he would cook for us. He was an amazing host and guide. 

You can find my photos of these here. 

So ended day 1 in Norway. A taster for all the good things to come. 




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