Berlitz leksjoner er ferdig...jeg er veldig glad!

Big PHEW!!! Level 1 of basic Norwegian has been completed with the emphasis on 'basic'. 36 lessons crammed into 4 weeks and it's fair to say the high level alarm is going off in my head i.e. time for a break before we have a spontaneous combustion incident! It's now time to launch myself on an unsuspecting norsk public, see if I can put into practice what I've learnt. Cue the same tactic before entering Starbucks...repeat several times what you're going to say before you actually say it...'grande triple shot mocha skinny extra hot to go' blah blah blah! If you see anything in the paper about a British woman apprehended in Stavanger for repeatedly lurking outside shops/cafes muttering to herself...it'll be me!

So henceforth the blog shall feature a 'word of the day', today's one is ... gammel (gahm-merl) which means 'old'. The reason I chose this one is because it's my birthday this week and, yep you guessed it, that combined with the 'norskkurs' means I'm feeling gammel! Mind you, 'femtien' (fem-tee-en) doesn't sound nearly as bad as 51 does it? Clutching at straws.

So we're off back to Blighty for a long weekend to celebrate said birthday, all of which means the Mulder cat is headed for the cattery (a different one...) later on today. Currently to be found studying the insides of his eyelids, little does he know what's in store. Still not venturing out much but preferring instead to park himself on the balcony railings in order to get a better view of the doves...

We've had a fantastic spell of autumn weather, the leaves are a blaze of colour and the temperatures are dropping. These photos were from last Sunday...first one is taken from the house, second one was on a mini hike down in Sandnes and the third one is the sun setting on the fjord below Chez Robertson. And no, that's not our boat (sadly)!

Last weekend we also had a major treat on the jazz front, in the form of the Kyle Eastwood Band who were visiting Stavanger. If you like jazz, you'll know that he's made a very big name for himself as a bassist despite having the potential to be overshadowed by his somewhat famous father (Clint). No doubting the likeness!

Oh and how could I forget...the world-famous search for the premier cinnamon bun goes on. At the moment, the Ostehuset one is out in front (pictured) but there could be a late contender in the form of another local baker - Charles & De. One last trawl around before I declare a winner, if only because I don't want to be get any bigger!

Til neste gang!

Letter from......Ikea??

"When you goooo, will you send baaaack, a letter frrrrrrrom Americaaaa!!! That's what regaled me as I trudged around everyone's favourite Scandi store today. The bottom lip was threatening to tremble but then I remembered...I don't even like the Proclaimers! Don't tell Mr Salmond though or I'll never be allowed back...

Week 3 of 'snakker norsk' and my powers of memory and concentration have never been more tested. This probably has more to do with my age than anything else but nevertheless. It feels like I'm taking one step forward and two back. This also explains the lack of blogging...too busy doing homework...at 50??!! But...I can now go in a shop/cafe/drycleaners and come out with what I went in for...and all exchanges done in norsk. OK so it's not exactly high brow conversation but it's progress in my world!!

Autumn has arrived and the weather continues to be favourable for us tourists. Last weekend saw a visit to Birkjedalstunet, which is south of Stavanger (towards Sirdal), and a reunion with a Fergie! Birkjedal boasts an impressive candle factory and, in the adjoining restaurant, some rather fine home-made meatballs. It's worth the trip if only for the drive. On the way there, you pass over Gloppedalsura - scene of a spectacular rockfall circa 10,000 years ago when the mountains essentially collapsed and divided the fjord in two. Rocks the size of a house lie there as if carefully placed by a giant troll. Gloppedalsura was also the site of a famous WWII battle that saw 250 Norwegian soldiers prevent two German battalions (800 troops) from advancing on Sirdal. Proof if it were needed that Vikings are not to be messed with!!

Another day, another ferry trip, this time to Tau. And a much more familiar pose...akin to Orkney i.e. a warm coat and and a funky hairstyle! Tau is north of Stavanger but the scenery is no less impressive. Green valleys nestle between the vast mountains and the farmers go about their business even though it's Sunday. Around where we live, they're busy cutting and baling what looks like silage or at least a grass crop of some kind.

On the home front, we've had our first lot of visitors...well two lots really. Kay paid a flying visit, long enough to testify to the fact that the cinnamon buns are indeed the stuff of legend. And we had a super weekend with Mike and Fran...balmy sunshine and lunch outside one day, rain and restricted views (but not restricted fun) the next. And the Mulder cat behaved impeccably throughout although he did manage to deliver the odd "are you still here?" look!! That said, katten is coping well with his new self-imposed imprisonment with only the odd bout of cabin fever. His nemesis has upped his game and is now spraying on our front door...reiterating the point that you don't mess with Vikings...katten or otherwise!!

Og på den bombshell...

Snakke snart!