Elaine in Stavanger: February 2010

Friday, 26 February 2010

Off on our travels again

Tomorrow we are going to a special little hotel south of Stavanger to stay the night (Jarle, me, Mia and Zizou). It's part of my birthday present from Jarle.

http://www.sogndalstrand-kulturhotell.no/index.cfm?id=74379

Thursday, 25 February 2010

Sirdal

We are back from the mountains. The weather was pretty good overall, just the first day was windy and so bitterly cold. Minus 18 was the coldest I think. Lots of snow, some sunshine, skiing and Olympics on telly in the evenings. Ben had Aled with us to keep him company. Mia is doing really well with the skiing. We celebrated my birthday on Sunday with lovely cake made by Wendy! Thanks to everyone who sent good wishes and presents and cards. I am looking forward to going to see Katie Melua in concert in July, thanks to Lisbeth, Svein, Asta and Erling.

Monday, 15 February 2010

Skating

We also took a trip to the nearby lake which is still frozen. Some thoughtful people had got a mini snow plough to clear a track 3km long on the lake for the skaters. Very popular. I walked with Zizou while Jarle and Mia skated ALL the way round. Kvikklunsj (a Norwegian KitKat) and hot blackcurrant juice on the island as a reward. I can't imagine people in Britain doing this even if the lakes were frozen. There were whole families with dogs, babies in prams, skating around the island and the rest of the lake was used for ski-ing. Lovely day.

Didn't take any photos so here is one of the local swans (they don't like Zizou......hissing and honking at him!).

Triple day

Yesterday was Mothers Day, Valentines Day and Fastelavnsdag! The last one is also known as "bun day" and it is customary to eat lots of sweet buns with whipped cream and jam (see photo of our homemade buns). I'm not sure what it is all about really but it seems to be connected to Mardi Gras and lent and Christianity somehow.