A Weekend in Fredrikstad

VISITING FRIENDS IN A FRIENDLY AND VIVID TOWN IN SOUTH EAST NORWAY, EUROPE

From the Cathedral Park. Green Grass in January. Where is the Polar Bears? Not here.

Anna's best woman lives in the Town of Fredrikstad with her husband. It's about one hours drive from were we live in Oslo South. While there, we also grab the opportunity to visit Sweden, to buy some goods that's cheaper than in Norway (Some Food and Wine a.o.).

Compared to the total area of Fredrikstad Community, in the Town Center everything is within walking distance. Total population was by Jan 1, 2007: 71 267. Facts.

Glass painting over an entrence door in Fredrikstad, describing the nature around. And dreams.

Besides the Archipelago south west of the town, Hvaler - as Summer Paradise for everybody that loves the sea and boating life - the Old Town is the main tourist attraction - it's fully fortified and claimed to be the best preserved as such in the Nordics. And functions today like a small, ordinary town, very vivid as well with all facilities needed. The car traffic is almost non existing, so it's also a safe place for kids. The Military left the Town several years ago. But of course you can see they have been here. The Fort did have 200 Canons/Guns.

HISTORY

It all began in 1567 when the king of Denmark-Norway decreed that the town of Sarpsborg, burned to the ground by that times arch enemy, Sweden, should be rebuilt. The king listened to a popular appeal to have the town rebuild at a place easier to defend and with better living conditions than upstreams Norways longest River, Glomma.
The east bank of the Glomma estuary was considered the obvious choice, and for the first time in Norway a king let a town take a Kings name; and Fredrikstad would prove itself a town worth it. But the King did never visit the Town. Lack of Comfort? I've never had the chance to ask him.

When in downtown Fredrikstad, the easiest way to visit the Old Town is by the Ferry that crosses the River. It takes a minute or so.

Else you have to go by Car, and that's a long detour over the River Bridge.

I strolled down fra our Friends and did pass several old, interesting houses on my way to the Ferry. Here is a Wooden Church.

Backery - hm, I did not enter. But I could smell it from a good distance. How could I resist? Strong will or lack of Money? .... or Time? Haha - my secret.

Here is the Ferry. Red and white - like the Famous Soccer Team in Town

Entrence to the Old Town from the Ferry

Some history facts:
Military aesthetics
The defensive walls were built to a Dutch design, unsurprisingly, and were a so effective deterrent that the town was never invaded. Coucheron must share the honour for the Fortress Town´s distinctive geometric construction with another foreign officer, Johan Casper de Cicignon, an aristrocrat from Luxembourg.

In Old Town

Vinmonopolet - The State controlled Wine and Liquer Chain of Shops - it's self service, so don't worry about language - they do have the most from all over the world - and splendid service.

From the Square. The King Fredrik himself. It's a Flee Market here, except during the Winter.

Back towards the Riverside. This Saturday Morning it was very few visitors, and the Locals? Asleep? I did not check it out. Next time perhaps I'll ring the Bells.

More interesting houses closer to downtown. This one is now owned by the Local Government and very well preserved. Look at the different architect styles (Click to enlarge). That was common among the very Rich in Norway to import different styles to impress - to show they "knew" the World.

Public Restroom - You might need it after this cyber walk - LOL.

..... or a short visit to a Riverside Cafe. It's January, but Vikings love the outdoor life. Here my friend, a retired Teacher, after a refreshment, needed after Saturdays shopping. Don't forget, it's a weekend trip - a journey so to speak.

When back, no sign of the ladies. They were out walking in the Mid January Sunshine.

Who was there but their very good, since very long, friend Per Ulrik Fritzner. Here he is with one of his paintings behind him. Yeah, he is a great Artist. Anna came back and acted like a Camera hog. What a shame her age. *giggles*

Wish you all a wonderful week

Rescued on our way to Captain Lifecruiser

A Saturday in July 2007

ps. This is a time jump

We arrived Visby and Gotland Island in the Baltic Sea (Sweden) on a Saturday Evening. Nothing special about that. We thought. We arrived at Nynäshamn and waited 20 minutes before the ferry headed out for the Island.. Three hours with the speed ferry - with our car and canoe.

Only, we had not booked a place to sleep - hotel. During the summer months, that would be a wise thing to do. Special for the weekends. And this weekend - all youngsters from the Capital of Sweden, Stockholm, did have their summer party in Visby. We did not know. hehehe.

We asked at the Tourist Information:

- What hotel do you recommend for people our age?

They looked at each other...

- There is no hotelroom left here in Visby, you better go North.

Well, so we did. By road 149.

Asked everywhere we observed a sign with a bed. After 10 pm, it's a sort of panic around...

This is the Sunset from Fårösund - Kustparken

- Sorry, can't help you. All occupied. Drive North.

We did drive North. Same message 7 places (Villages). Anna sent me a certain "eye".

- It's nearly 11 pm.

- We will find something, I said, (I'm allways looking at the positive side of life)

We at last came to the ferry to Fårö - then I observed a sign with a bed. We drove out there- to Kustparken at Fårösund. (Kustparkens hotel)

- Do you have a room for two persons for one Night?

- hm, well, sorry, Michael said - butt?

- Have you any idea where there can be a room for this night?

- Well, let me think - no - no

- We have sleeping bags, I said ....

-----

Silence

Then we walked out the door. What to do? Sleep in the Car? Well, we were convinced that would be the solution - and went towards our C5-car.

Suddenly Michael (the owner) ran towards us and asked:

- Do you have a tent?

- Yes, I replied, why do you ask?

- If you want, you can set up your tent just here, on my lane for one night.

We of course, said - yes, thank you very much.

Tent picked out of our Car. First time. Never raised it before. And we started to assemble that "thing". At the platform 15 meters away - 45 feets - was the Saturday Nightclub. Lots of people. Looking at those old people trying to put up a tent. Anna in the inner tent. Me fighting with the outer tent. Around Midnight. In the lights from our Car.

After 39 minutes Michael came back:

- Do you have some problems?

- Yes, we said

After closing time - *giggles*

- Well - if you do not manage to assemble your tent - I can offer you to sleep in my Office. But You have to have a look before accepting. OK?

- Yes, I said - and followed him to the office.

The rest of the story:

We accepted. Brought in our sleepingbags - went to the night club and bought some white wine.

Then went to bed. And slept very well.

What did we pay for this overwhelming service?

Office view - the morning after

Zero - no nothing.

-Then I told Michael: I'm a blogger. I will do a post about your hospitalty and caring and service.

Breakfast? We had to tell the waiter: We have stayed here for free, hence pay for the Breakfast.

The answere was: No. - - - But we payed. Some dollars.

The platform, from which at least 27 people were amused by the Norse trying to raise at tent. We had breakfast out here the very next morning

A wonderful place. And wonderful people. You may now have seen some pictures from Kustparken.

Thanks to Michael Söderberg - we did survive in comfort.

To read more about this wonderful region and what's going on there - Mrs Lifecruiser