Meeting a new blogfriend in Norway

Meeting a new blogfriend in South East Norway
 
Most of my readers might have observed that Anna and “Papa” has met several blogfriends face to face during 2011 far away from Norway. Besides of course RennyBA and DianeCA, who lives in our part of Norway.
Ginnie and Astrid, did visit Norway and Oslo in April.
Then we went to USA and there we met:
Lisa,
Suzann,
Comedy +
and in Canada we met expat traveler. 
Later this year we went to Ollioules in Provence (Claudie and Pierre)
and a Month later to Austin, Texas.

Let us not forget: Phone calls are still in operation:
We did not meet eye to eye,but met voice to voice:
The Old Lady in the Hills
and Mrs Lifecruiser.

Last Saturday we went South from Oslo – about 75 minutes to shop in Sweden. We only shop what is favourable there. At least we say so;-)

Planned
This trip was planned (as allways when we travel) long ago. Beside visiting and staying overnight with Anna’s Best Woman and her hubby and Felicia’s kitten, we (papa) had an aditional plan:

Norwegian Blogger
Visit a Norwegian blogger, living in Fredrikstad. She has several blogs. Here is her profile. Read it and then you’ll understand why papa would visit (She is working as a Teacher, like her Husband and as you know: Anna as well).

Small World
We talked and talked and even realized that back in the 1880’s around, the two male of us had grandparents from the same tiny area in Telemark, Norway.
That’s why we have a saying in Norway (When meeting Norwegians abroad): It’s a Small World – Specially if from Norway

Photos?
Do not be too curious. Do not excpect too much. We are talking December. When it is no Snow. It’s Fog or Rain or the Sun directly in your Eyes when heading South.
OK, here is some Photos:
 
Fruits. See the tiny Manx to the Right?
 
Window Shopping
 
X-Mas Street in Fredrikstad, Norway. It was very dark around 9 PM
 
Food – Turkey as served at Mer (aldri mer i julerushet)
 
Here we are. A Flash Photo. Not the best; but we had a great time.
The other men stayed at Home (Flue or something).
 
Closing time. The Food could have been better regarding the price, but we really had a wonderful afternoon and evening together. Here, to the left, my blog friend.

PS. We could have talked until the Dawn, at least…
  
Fruits next morning as well. These are Clemtines, which belongs to the same family of Trees as the Oranges.
In Norway we call  Oranges:
Appelsin. The origin is: Chinese Apple or Apple (from) China. You see?
PS. We met Marta and Monsen again. They are Cats and Daughter and Son of Felicia. Here is Marta. Monsen, the male cat, he was outside. (I’m a Male too, but staying inside)

I hope there will more to come, so stay tuned…..

Here as well

Papa meeting Blogfriends and was Driver….

This Weekend Ginnie (In Soul) and Astrid are in Oslo, Norway. A dream have come true: We have met face to face.  At last. It's great to meet Blogfriends.

In fact, we have written about such an event since long. And when we met – well, as Ginnie said: You are even better in real life than on the Internet and visa versa
.
My dear readers who have experienced the same, you do know we are known via our blogs and comments before we meet in blood and flesh. Which means we do not start from zero but are “Family” before we share hugs and look into our eyes and talk about everything that matters for each of us.

Friday afternoon Anna and me went the small 25 km from our winterhome to Renny’s and Diane’s place. The visit and the “Program” was well planned, at least as well and flexible as is needed when visiting Oslo this time of Spring.
 
We stayed overnight and had a first class dinner and lot’s of talking. In fact we talked about everything, but our talks and meanings seems not to rescue the world from unpleasent situations in a short perspective. But as bloggers, we can to a lot;-)
 
Cod as main dish – with Carrots, bacon and Almond Potatoes and of course Sandefiord Butter (a kind of Sauce Hollandaise)
 
We wondered if Ginnie and Astrid would like it. Did they?
 
Saturday breakfast. Anna is there as well;-)

Saturday we had planned to visit the peninsula in Oslo (Bygdöy) where papa grew up and lived for 30 years. We went out, without Anna who had to leave back to our Winter Home, to feed the Cats and all what’s needed to do in a Home. While Papa was the Driver for Ginnie, Astrid, Diane and Renny.
 
First target: The Museums at Bygdöynes (Bygdöy Headland).
We started outside to see the Monuments (Here the Tribute to the Norwegian Merchandise seamen who died for the Allience in the combat against the Nazis)
RennyBA explains the text written in Norwegian for Ginnie. 
From here you normally have a very good view into downtown Oslo and the inner part of the Oslofiord. But not this Saturday: Fog.  Only about 100 meters (110 yards) at the most we could see. But that’s exciting for Photography. Here Astrid in action.
 
First we did visit the Kontiki Museum,
 
…. where you also will find the Papyros Boat Ra 2,
 
…. remedies from Napa Rui (Easter Island)  like these
 
… found in a cave besides the Kontiki raft.  And even from excavations in Peru.
 
A very special museum you would not believe to find in Norway.

But just 10-15 seconds walking distance away, it’s a museum you might expect to find in Oslo, Norway:

The Polar Ship Fram Museum

Why is this so special? Why should you visit?
First of all: The first Ship ever to go to both the Antartica and the Artic. Here you will learn, with excellent documentations, Photos and facts about the first expeditions to the globes extremeties around the North and South Pole. And the Northern Islands of Canada and Russia.
 
You can board the Ship and see how they lived and how they entertained during years out in Polar environments more than 100 years ago. The Fram was special constructed for Polar expedition. Papa thinks it’s a blast and surprise of a Museum.
 
PS. You do not meet Polar Climate inside the Museum. Just opposite. Just ask Ginnie;-)
 
Well, after these two exciting Museums plus outdoor exhibitions, we went to the Car, and papa, the driver turned the key to start his car. Dead. Dead and dead. Not a sound.
 
Papa felt like a silly Duck – the two of them even asked papa for food. He needed help to start his Car. Not hungry Ducks;-)
In vain. So papa’s blogger friends had to take the bus to the next museum. So keep on looking for the reports from Papas blog-friends. You’ll find their url’s at top of this post.


…. while papa waited for assitance to start his car (That took about 1 hour),  some Photos were taken while waiting. The Fog slowly went allmost away.
 
And papa even could see the King.  Ja, that’s the name of this building.
The message  from Sserviceman was clear: "You need a new Starter".
Papa will fixe as soon as the servicestations opens next week.

Well, papa, the Driver, missed the tour at the Outdoor Cultural Museum  and headed right home. Even the Dinner was spoiled.

Papa has visited this Museum since very young several times. We boys knew how to enter without paying. And besides: Only 2 minutes away. LOL.

But, papa will meet his blog friends again in Oslo on Sunday. But then he will go by Train;-)

Diane CA has Birthday - Friday January 23

It's all about true friendship.
Like my friend Hakon wrote, until now his only blogpost: What is a friend?
I did nor realize until a year ago

This post is dedicated Diane.
First time Anna and papa first time met Diane together was rather special.
We were invited to visit RenneyBA and Diane's wonderful leisurehome in Mariestad. Some 6 hours driving into Sweden from Oslo, Norway.
Papa had met Diane before. During professional arrangements where Renny was one of my Speakers. But Anna and Diane had never met before.
We picked up Renny and Diane at at local Train station. Better to use one Car than 2. See the point?
Diane and Anna start talking at once and so they continued the whole 6 hrs trip and the rest of the weekend.

See, they shopped together.
OK, they both slept a bit during the return to Oslo.

We learned to know a very special, wise and giving person that weekend some years ago.

This Friday is her Birthday.
The photos that follows are just a few from our quality time together.

Here Mr Lifecruiser, RennyBA, Anna, Tor, Diane and Mrs Lifecruiser

We have had lot's of fun together, even challenged our Skills. Anna seems to be concentrated.

What can be more heavenly than be served Premium Cheeze by ladies like this?

I think you have some ideas about "our good life". Just relaxing and eating and playing and ziping Wine.
The next morning:

Rent a Bike. Diane and Renny are here.

OK, after crossing the Island by Bike, it was Lunch Time.
OMG. Papa is there as well. Z that pale in front;))?


Do not forget to salute Diane here Even though she is now about to reach a new Milestone.
Her next BD.

PS.More Photos to be posted when my PC is back to normal

RennyBA on Cruise

Papa is still going strong and are alive

Yes, I'm alive. Written som personal e-mails/Twitters/Facebook. Been "half"-chatting with my youngest Son in MI. It's going positive for his MILF. Her treatment has been tough. Lost her hair, but she seems to cope and overcome. God Bless her.

Posted 5 Photos here

The week to come will be extremely busy. But, at the end of the Week I'll meet some friends you might know:
Renny - 3 years as blogger and among the rated top 3 i Europe
Diane - Renny's wonderful wife
Lifecruiser - our cybercruise captain - now back in Norway again
Gunnar - an amazing person who will be my key-note speaker on Thursday

Have a great week to come
(and excuse my present absent - it's very hard for me - but the good thing is:
I'll return - just cheer me up)

PhotoHunt: TOGETHER - November 7 -2008

There will still be an effort for you to watch this TOGETHER PHOTO.
But, it's only a single click away.

PS. It has something with Blogger Friends to do. May they be TOGETHER across Border Lines?

More TOGETHER here

Sunday on the Platform

It's hard to believe, Sunday a week ago:

Look who were here at our Summerhouse platform - Marjolein - Mrs Lifecruiser - RennyBA - Mr Lifecruiser - Anna (behind unseen: Wim) and DianeCA

We had a good conversation the day after 3x20

And could still smile and laugh like Diane - and Wim had a Cigar. And Papa? He took the Photos.

Farewell to our dear friends from Holland and Diane and the Driver (RennyBA of course)

What then to do but exploring the Norwegian Jungle - Mrs and Mr Lifecruiser on a new expedition into the unknown

... and relaxed and enjoyed the Sunshine after a rough time into Norwegian wilderness. LOL.

A week have passed. We have lot's of exciting memories given from Anna's precious and wonderful guests. We will allways remember.

Papa left alone - or?

Anna is in Hong Kong.
(Click all photos to see the fabulous details)

No doubt, she is there.

Visiting Ingelin with A-L. Here they are all three of them. Dinner I presume?
(Photos received Friday morning)

I'm in the Summerhouse in inner Oslofiord, Norway, with two pregnant Cats.

So what do I do besides feeding the mothers to be?
Blogging? Reading? Eating? Nothing?
Well, my dear readers allready do know the one and only RennyBA did visit me. I picked him up from a meeting not vey far from where I did work on Thursday and we went out to our Summerhouse. Some shopping of course had to be done. Quickly. Food and beverages. Oh, men are men. LOL.

Then we sat down talking and talking for hours on the Platform.

Suddenly Renny got the idea of showing his dear readers the old childhood tradition of treading wild Strawberries on a straw. Here you see Renny at work and dreaming back to childhood.

We allmost forget to make dinner - men you know. Typical. Talking too much. LOL.

Renny had Baked Turkey and I Baked Cod, both with Cheese inside. I did make some wok-like fruit and vegetable and herbs as sidedish. (Tomatoes, Pepperfruits, habaneras, chilis, bananas, apples, herbes, desalted Soya sauce, virgin olive oil, pine seeds etc - all chopped and heated in the Pan).

After dinner we climbed to the top of the estate. It was after 10 pm. To have a look at the spectacular scenery - Islands - Hills - Oslofjord - Villages - the Norwegian Summer Night - Vegetation - Nature . (The Summerhouse is right down under behind Renny - it's to steep to climb right up, so we needed to attack the top from around and back - even then steep)
As you can see.: The Sun are still shining on the Village in the background (Dröbak as presented on Cybercruise last year)


Then we went bakc through the Jungle in the tiny Vally just behind our Summerhome. Here you see Renny taking photos of the waterfalls in the tiny creek.

On Friday, we did wake up early. For Breakfast and waiting for our parabol to be installed.
We have had no TV for 6 weeks due to the implementation of the digital TV-network here in Norway.

The young man was very serviceminded and did his job quickly. Down under is Tomatoes and Pepper (Paprika) plants.

We now have about 55 TV- Channels. From different nations and languages. It's lot's more than I can cope with. It's sure something for everybody. Even a Channel that only shows Poker. That one will not be my favourite. I don't gamble.

(Renny had to leave by bus from our Summerhouse to Oslo (about 75 minutes). And later this Friday he and his lovely American Wife, Diane, went to Mariestad. We (Anna and me will join them there in the last half of July, before I go to visit our Son in Michigan and around)).

PS. Talking about gambling. Last Saturday it was a quizz program on the local Radio Station. Haha - I had my lap-top ready and did google-search for each question. Then I called the radio station. For each correct answer I received a "Ticket" and at 1:30 am it was time for drawing.

I did win a scratch lottery ticket, which I did receive in the mail box on TORsday.
After scratching, result: 2 x 5 USD. ( 2 x 25 NOK). Hurray.

Have a splendid and marvellouse Weekend everybody.
Hugs from
two Cats and Papa in the Summerhouse