Soaking up the sun

When it is such a big player in a day, it is hard - and inappropriate - not to start with the weather. Today, the weather varied from very good, to nice, to superb, pretty much in that order. We pushed off from the cabin at about 10 in clear blue skies, and for the first time really got to see the cabins in all their summer glory. The heavy wood and living roofs look even better.





Most of the drive was in similarly great conditions, and as I think is required by law here, we had a Nordic lake just off the right side for most of it. The road is single lane, no overtaking lanes, and the speed limit varies between 50 and 80 for the most part. People drive at that limit, with very little overtaking. Most un-Australian, and I imagine that anyone from France who came here would turn into a paranoid schizophrenic within 2-3 days.

What turned out to the the last boat trip for our trip was shortly after arrival back, when we went out for a last round of tubing, and even Lauren had a go (at low speed, and with Marie - or as Lauren endearingly calls her - Marine) hanging on to her as backup. She seemed pretty stoked about the whole thing. A quick de-boating on a little Island for cinnamon buns ensued, and Espen assured me that the landing was a good one (including some stories of bad ones to prove his point), with passengers from 4 to 60-something successfully making in ashore.





The planned dinner by boat became dinner by car, but no less enjoyable for that. We dined in the newly developed part of Aker Brygge on the waterfront. It was absolutely packed all round, the food great, and the company better. We even snuck in an early anniversary bottle of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc as a bonus.


Tonight has then been the slightly sad task of packing up, backing up photos, and sacking down for a few short hours sleep. As if to see us on our way with some memories to keep, Oslo laid on the sort of evening that I gather may not have been seen since I was here in '01. Perfectly still, the inlet at the bottom of the house is reflecting like a resort pool, and the drawn out lingering twighlight put on a glorious sunset over the far hill for our delectation.





A last conversation, and then this leg is all but over. Tentative plans are laid for the next get together, maybe Canada in a few years? Who knows. Time moves in different ways when you are on holiday. Yesterday seems a lifetime ago, but the six days seems like the blink of an eye when you get to the far side of it. It has been great, no two ways about it. I'm looking forward to Ireland next, but it will be with more than a tinge of sadness that we hit the road for Oslo airport at 7am tomorrow. Next stop, the town of Cashel, for a one-night-stand with The Rock.

Location:Oslo