Language difficulties

We are trying to learn Norwegian. There aren't tat many native Norwegians in north Devon so we are using a cd and a book. It's slow going, but one day we'll be okay!

Shopping proves to be a challenge at times. The first time we went to Norway we had absolutely no idea on the type of milk we were buying; full fat, semi? And meat? A minefield. Beef; deer; horse? Who knew, because we certainly didnt.

We take packed lunches with us, partly as eating out with kids is expensive, and partly as the baby is allergic to dairy, so its easier to take our own stuff rather than try to expain.

However we forgot to take sandwich bags, so we bought some. 500 small sandwich bags. We thought.

Jim made a lovely picnic, then got out the sandwich bags. Which weren't.

Tree scarfs?

My friend Joe told me about a website called, Look at My F***ing Red Trousers. People upload pictures of people wearing red trousers. Apparently when you start looking you see loads. True enough, on the flight to Trondheim there was such a person, only I didn't get a photo.

Wandering around Trondheim, because as usual we'd set off in the wrong direction and not taken a map, we were looking for the Nidaros Cathedral when we spotted a tree with a scarf. Then a statue featuring deer who were wearing beautifully knitted socks. Around the side of the Cathedral, next to the cross country event taking place which we wandered into rather haphazardly, we're a whole load of trees all wearing beautifully knitted scarves.

Not a new phenomenon by any means, but the first time I've seen them and they made us smile.

All chained up

We headed out of the city today, towards the mountains and a town called Alen where we've seen a couple of houses. We arranged to meet the owner of one house at 10.30.
Those who travel with young kids will understand the importance of planning and organisation, so last night we got everything ready, bags packed, alarm set.

Maisie kept waking up, and she finally went back to bed at 11.15. Ned woke up at 4' and eventually came into our bed about half past, so when the alarm went off at 7, it wasn't really that surprising that Jim handed me a glass of water and then the phone to turn off the alarm, nor that we overslept by 30 minutes!

It wasn't the oversleeping that caused us to be late, as we were still ready to go at Jim's allotted time of 8.30.

It was the access road from our cabin back up to the road that had turned into sheet ice over night, and which our little car couldn't grip and we kept sliding back. I could feel the panic starting to slowly take over me, but then we remembered the set of snow chains we hired!

Now I love my husband, but sometimes I despair of him. Out came the snow chains and the instructions, and after a couple of minutes I got out to help. Only to discover a few minutes later myself that he hadn't even looked at the crucial first page which showed how to put the bloody things in the wheel! So another 10 minutes passed before we had traction and managed to get on our way.

A room with a view

We bought some cheap flights to Trondheim a few weeks ago, spent a few worrisome days trying to find somewhere in or around Trondheim or Roros to stay. We couldn't get anything in Roros for love or money - who knew that that end of every February they hold a winter market to which 60 - 70,000 people attend? We certainly didn't.

Eventually we found a campsite nestled on the banks of the Trondheimsfjord, that had a 2 bed cabin with heating for the duration of our trip.

It was with some trepidation that we arrived to discover a deserted campsite, but a quick calland 5 minutes later the lovely owner arrived, showed us to our cabin and telling us he'd be back at some point to check us in properly and take payment he left us to it.

It's a lovely little cabin, 2 bedrooms, open plan kitchen/diner and a little bathroom and its clean and has heating! In fact it's so warm that the chocolate is melting and has had to go in the fridge!

We weren't really sure what kind of a view we might have, but over breakfast it became clear.

Not a bad spot really.

Pants ......

Where will I buy my pants when living in Norway? No, seriously. It's is a major dilemma.

When I was in the 6th form choosing universities to apply to, my best friend went to Aberystwyth, where I was considering applying to. I got a postcard from him telling me that I couldn't go to uni the as there wasn't a Marks and Spencer's and where would I buy my pants.

I didn't go to Aberystwyth in the end, but not because I wouldn't be able to buy pants.

And now several years later, I am faced with a similar dilemma. When we move (or have moved) where will I buy my pants?

What is the Norwegian equivalent of M&S? How far will I have to go to buy my pants, or will I have to get pant parcels sent to me by my mother?!

I'm sure there should be lots of other issues occupying my thoughts, but the whole pants issue is starting to bother me.

Now, don't let me get started on cheese.

.........gone with 2012 hello 2013

Jim here..............and it's the end if of 2012, it's 9 o'clock, both kids are tucked up in bed, dinner has been eaten, Alan Carr is on and it's a long wait till 2013! 2012 has been a really odd year and because we will be retrospectively publishing this it will come as a bit of surprise to some of our friends that it was back in February we committed to doing this, followed by a quick house hunting trip in march. In November we finally finished all the diy and decided to put the house up for sale assuming we wouldn't have much interest........which we didn't, except for the first weekend in December when we had 3 different viewings and one couple who came 3 times.....however no offers!
So our Norwegian map now looks like an invasion proposition from WWII with stickers for farms or houses we quite fancy, ski resorts, major airports, major tourist routes, prime attractions, surf spots........so I'm going to lay my cards on the table and list our search criteria;

1. Needs to be within 2 hours drive or travel of a major airport
2. Within at least 1 hour drive of a ski resort, better if less
3. Near an existing tourist conurbation or potential one
4. Within 20 mins of a school
5. Within 30 mins of a shop!
6. The house needs to have electricity and water
7. Needs some land ideally around 10 acres min
8. Needs to be reasonably habitable even if not to Norwegian standards
9. Ideally south of Trondheim ie not too far north!
10. Be affordable which is less than 80k!

Now I've listed these on the last day to of 2012 because both Kath and I are feeling positive and that 2013 will be the year we get things moving, the business plan is coming on and we've just put an offer in on a investment property to start the ball rolling so whilst we made the first steps in 2012 we hope in 2013 the journey will actually commence. Wish us luck and please feel free to mock us when our new property meets non of the criteria above............happy New year

Urgh!

Kids are ill. We are all miserable. They are both on antibiotics, plus the baby has been diagnosed with a possible intolerance to dairy.
Makes meal times fun, especially as his favourite food in yogurt!

Anyway, we are trying to plan a trip to Norway again, but until the baby's sleeping habits are better we've decided not to book anything.

We're trying to decide between Tromso to see the Northern lights, Lofoten & maybe go dog sledding or Oslo and go skiing. Decisions decisions.