rose's random rambly writings

...or what I have been up to lately.

Pentecost - the Christian holiday hardly anybody knows why we "celebrate", but we do get an extra day off, so it sounds like a good time to go away for a few days, doesn't it?
I thought so, and so I did. To the Norwegian mid-western coast, to be slightly more specific.
Let me share some of that with you...Top left: It felt a little weird sitting in the garden with temperatures around 25 degrees (that's Celcius), looking over at a mountain still somewhat covered in snow.
Top right: However, those temperatures didn't tempt me to try out the temperature in the fjord...
Bottom left: A little later in the day/evening. Look at all the blue colours!
Bottom right: Although it doesn't show well in this picture, it's still not dark outside yet it's close to 1 o'clock in the morning.

Before I left, I bought myself a pair of new, lighter, hiking shoes/boots. I had plans to hike up one of the mountains nearby.Top left: It's a difficult angle, I know, but that's the top I hiked to.
Top right: There's an old hut from the old days when people stayed up there while herding their cattle. I love the roof there. It's so lush...
Bottom left:...there even grows trees!
Bottom right: The hiking is pretty tough. It took me a good hour to get here, all uphill of course, yet it's only 2-300 metres above sea level. But, when you catch a glimpse of the fjord and surroundings, it's all forgotten.

I didn't get to see any wildlife this time, so I had to make do with whatever was nearby...Top left:This oystercatcher couple had built their nest on the chimney.
Top right: Horses grazing = less grass to mow!
Bottom left: I have no idea what kind of spider this is, but it was creepy!
Bottom right: Ok, so this might not be wildlife per se, but it grew wildly in the mountain... I just thought it was cute...

At this point, I feel I should clarify that I'm far from being sporty and/or a nature freak. Quite the contrary - I feel most at home in the city. But once in a while, I like putting on the boots and head out there.

Well then. Now that I've let you in on what I have been up to lately, it's time go check out what you have been doing!

Yesterday I saw one of the first signs that winter season is upon us here in the north.
Yes, I have seen snow earlier this year, but yesterday I saw a man dressed in his ski suit.
A bit odd perhaps, considering there isn't any snow in the city but then - prepared tracks are only a subway ride away.
Norwegians claim to be born with skis on their feet, so people with skis are a quite common sight during the winter months. Needless to say, people around here are quite fond of winter and winter sports. And they are proud of their accomplishments in the latter.

The sight of ski-man got me thinking about a debate that went on here a while ago.
Due to not meeting the standards for arranging the 2011 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, it was decided that Holmenkollen ski jump in Oslo should be demolished and replaced with a new up-to-date construction.
Because of its history and tradition - the tower has been around since 1939 - many people thought it was horrendous to demolish it while others happily embraced a new and improved ski jump.
Well, history and tradition had to bend this time, and demolishment started last month.

One of the reasons those opposed to a new ski jump used, were that Holmenkollen ski jump is one of Oslo's (maybe even Norway's) main attractions.
Now, I have to admit that coming from a neighbouring country, albeit from further south where we don't walk around with skis (or even ski suits!) in the winter time, I can't remember having heard about Holmenkollen before I moved here.
Therefore, I'm curious to hear from you guys. Have you heard of Holmenkollen?
And what do you think of when I say Oslo or Norway?