Tuesday 27 August 2013

The Battle of Hafrsfjord

Time for a history lesson.

Just along the fjord from us is an intriguing monument called "Sverd i Fjell" or "Swords in Rock". Unveiled by King Olav in 1983, it commemorates the Battle of Hafrsfjord in 872 AD where it is said that King Harald Hårfagre (Fair Hair) fought a battle that united Norway's three districts into one kingdom. The Viking swords' hilts depict crowns from the districts which took part in the battle,  representing peace, unity and freedom. It's a major tourist attraction in Stavanger.


As luck would have it, the site of the three swords was on our Sunday cycle route. It started out with the suggestion... "let's just go oot for a run"...the warning flags should have been going up at that stage. We had a vague notion that there was a cycle path that would take us right around Hafrsfjord, over a bridge, round by Tananger, Sola and back home. There is and it did, eventually...3 hours and 20 kilometres later, in 23 degree heat, two greasy spots rolled up at Hestnes. The airport's at Sola and, as we cycled past the end of the runway, it's fair to say we wished we'd taken our passports with us!


A quick word on the "other" battle...Mulder has decided to retreat and regroup before deciding how best to tackle his obnoxious neighbour. Little does he know that things are about to get worse...he's getting dropped off at Windiness Cattery later today for a wee holiday while we head home to Orkney. Oblivious for the time being...


:-(

Friday 23 August 2013

Palm trees on a tropical isle...

No, I haven't been at the Aquavit, honest! This week has seen the discovery of the most amazing tropical island which seems to benefit from its own micro-climate. Located on the island of Sør-Hidle in the Ryfylke Region north of Stavanger, a visit to "Flor & Fjaere" starts with a short trip on the ferry, followed by a guided tour around the lush gardens.



Some of the plants (like the cacti collection) are taken in to Stavanger over the winter but the vast majority remain on the island. Every year, around April/May, thousands of new summer flowers are planted in time for the tourist season. It all started in 1965 when a local Stavanger couple moved to the island to live, ostensibly for health reasons. It so happened that Åsmund and Else Marie Bryn were gardeners to trade and so it wasn't long before some pine trees were planted as a wind-breaker for a small garden. Fast forward a few decades and, still a family business, "Flor & Fjaere" now attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year.



The whole trip lasts about 5 hours and includes a buffet lunch of local delicacies, all prepared by a Dutch chef who's worked there for 17 years. He comes out to introduce all the dishes and has a great sense of humour...the only Dutchman I've ever met who has! The signature dish was (unsurprisingly) a delicious fish soup although we were assured that it didn't contain any of the pond's residents....they too have to be moved to Stavanger over the winter, not because they can't survive the cold but because they fall prey to mink from a neighbouring island.


So all in all a great day out, one to be recommended.

Aside from that, we're on the countdown to the Orkney wedding and really looking forward to the trip "home" to see everyone again. The Mulder cat is blissfully unaware that he's off to Windiness Cattery next week...sadly we haven't got an Auntie Janette living next door to attend to his every whim! :-(

Before that though, stand by for the Battle of Hafrsfjord. No, not the one with the moggies, the real one...

Hade!

p.s. The Sorensens one...a possible contender.




Thursday 15 August 2013

Finally...

 

...the long-awaited new buggy has landed! Been fancying one of these for a while now, so I'm well chuffed. All the more so because we got a really good deal on it (well, for Norway...) because it's the end of summer and who the heck would be daft enough to buy a cabriolet with winter looming...?! It comes with a set of winter wheels, so bring it on I say. Unlike the hire car, it has a manual box...concentration levels will need to be stepped up!

So, 5 weeks in and we're still firmly in holiday/tourist-mode. Spent last Saturday on a cruise up to Lysefjord to see the Pulpit Rock. Weather-wise, we couldn't have gotten a better day and the scenery was just stunning. The Pulpit Rock (or Preikestolen) towers 600m over the fjord and can also be reached via a 2-hour hike (keeping that for next year). There's a crack between the plateau of the rock and the mountain and legend has it that when seven sisters marry seven brothers from the Lysefjord area, the rock will fall into the fjord and create a huge tidal wave, destroying all surrounding life. Gulp!





The boat got close enough to the waterfall to collect some of the water in a bucket, which we all got to sample - I'm thinking you wont get much purer than that although, if I'm honest, I would have preferred something stronger. You can take the girl out of Orkney...


On the way out of the harbour, we passed the oil museum which as you can see has a very impressive design and even has its own lifeboat and ROV. We're saving that one for a winter's day.


On the home front, Mulder has decided to take the path of least resistance and morphed into a house cat. The level of attention from his new neighbours is proving too much for him at the moment and he's resorted to delivering the death stare from the safety of the balcony instead. I'm hoping he may yet "man up"...watch this space.

Norwegian lessons have been procured and will start early September, really looking forward to that. Mike gets a couple of lessons a week at his work and is currently well ahead of me on the language front...that certainly wont do! The aim is to quickly get to the point where we can converse/understand each other regardless of whether any native Norwegians can! The problem I foresee is that (like any other language/country) there are so many different dialects, that people say the same word completely differently, depending on what part of Norway they come from. Bit like Aberdeen -v- Kirkwall -v- Eday. You get the drift. It'll be fun, no doubt about it.

And the cruise ships just keep on coming...


Hade!

Thursday 8 August 2013

Wanted - cat whisperer

This past week, the resident mog has been the subject of bullying by the local branch of the Noggie Moggie Mafia or the NMM as I've nicknamed them. So much so that he can barely be persuaded to put a paw over the door jamb. I think this may be the culprit but can't be sure...this is the big furry one we saw when we first arrived and which has now clearly been clipped! Not bonny...maybe that's why it's so aggressive?! Suggestions on a postcard...


The tourist season is still in full swing in Stavanger as was evidenced by the buzz in the town this morning. Two cruise ships alongside - big and bigger. This also means that the local market is out in full force, selling everything from troll ornaments to furry boots. Oh and an impressive range of all things knitted...should I be worried?? I still feel like a tourist myself although I'm doing my best to blend in with the locals and look like I know where I'm going. Norwegian lessons are being organised as we speak...watch this space and prepare to be impressed by my feeble attempts at the lingo!



The cinnamon bun research continues despite the fact it's in direct conflict with my declaration in a previous post about trying to lose some weight before the end of August wedding. So far, the Ikea one has been ruled out of the running (below) and unsurprisingly the one with the dollop of custard in it is out in front (bottom pic). The search goes on.



Probably the most exciting news from this week is that a car has been purchased (for yours truly) and will be picked up as soon as we can persuade the British banking system to transfer some money out of the country. You would not believe (or maybe you would) how difficult it is to prove to people in certain money-oriented organisations that you are who you say you are. The same people who caused the so-called banking "crisis" I suspect. It should hopefully all be concluded in a few days...no clues except to say it's not a Ferrari (duh!). Pics to follow...

We're off out tonight to a "social night" at a place called Cardinal in town...thanks to Lou for recommending it. It's the place to network and meet new friends, organised (I think) by the Chamber of Commerce. It's also the place with the largest selection of beer in Norway, boasting 500 different types. I don't drink beer but I'll certainly be keeping my eyes peeled for some of that Skull Splitter ale from Orkney...bet they'll have it, given that it's named after the 7th Viking Earl of Orkney - Thorfinn Einarsson.

And on that bombshell...Skål!