Postcards


Eines Tages haben wir ein Picknick unter einem schönen, alten Schwedischen Eichenbaum gemacht. Auf einmal hörten wir eine grummelige Stimme „Das riecht aber gut!“ Vor Schreck sind wir auf den nächstbesten Ast gesprungen. „Ich bin‘s nur“ sagte die Stimme „Erich der Elch“. „Oh, hallo Erich“ sagte Gerhild etwas nervös, „wir heißen Gerhild und Kim. Magst Du vielleicht etwas essen?“. „Danke Gerhild und Kim, ein paar Selleriestangen wären genau richtig“ sagte Erich. Er nahm zwei und kaute genussvoll. „Vielen Dank“ sagte er und lief langsam und lautlos hinein in den Wald. Aus der Ferne hörten wir ein unglaubliches Rülpsen und dann herrschte Stille.



Heute trafen wir einen großen unglücklichen Bär im Wald. „Warum bist du so traurig?“ fragte Kim. „Ich kann meine kleine Freundin nicht finden“ sagte der Bär. „Wir haben einen schönen Spaziergang gemacht. Dann wurde ich müde, ich habe mich hingesetzt und auf einmal war sie weg! Ich habe gewartet und gerufen, aber sie ist nicht gekommen. Was soll ich nur tun?“ „Aufstehen“ sagte Kim. „Was?“ fragte der Bär. „Aufstehen und dann wird‘s dir besser gehen“ sagte Gerhild. Der Bär stand auf. Es gab ein lautes „Aaaah“ und da war das Mädchen, etwas zerknirscht, aber der Bär freute sich riesig. „Da bist du ja!“. Sie umarmten sich und wir sagten tschüss.



Heute war ich nach einem Spaziergang müde und hatte mich gerade hingesetzt als zwei kleine norwegische Trolle auftauchten. „Platz machen für die Trollprinzessin!“ rief der eine. Ich wusste nicht, was ich machen sollte, die Füße hoch heben vielleicht? Ungeduldig, schnippte er mit den Fingern und die Bank wölbte sich nach oben! Die zwei schlenderten gemütlich unten durch, Gerhild lachte und ich staunte. Kurz bevor sie hinter einem Stein verschwanden, schnippte er wieder mit den Fingern und die Bank sank wieder nach unten. Mit Trollen ist wirklich nicht zu spaßen.



Seit ein paar Tagen sind wir ganz in der Nähe von einem Gletscher und heute ist das kalte Eis in der sehr warmen Sonne geschmolzen. Und auf einmal trampelte eine Mammut Familie um die Ecke! „Es ist so heiß“ sagte Papa Mammut. „Dieses wollige Fell“ klagte Mama Mammut. „Törööö“ rief Baby Mammut. „Kommt mit“ sagte Kim „ich kenne ein paar freundliche Bäume und sie spenden uns gern kühlen Schatten.“ Sie kamen zu uns unter die Bäumen und Gerhild organisierte rasch drei Eimer Eistee. Nach einem netten Plausch verschwand die Sonne hinter dem Berg und in der Kühle konnten sie sich wieder auf dem Weg machen. Aus der Ferne hörten wir „Törööö“ und dann war alles ruhig.



In den Bergen trafen wir heute einen großen Bär. Ich hatte Angst, aber der Bär war sehr freundlich. Er hieß Bobling. „Ich bin ein Eisbär“ erklärte er stolz. „Ich mag Eis. Besonders Vanilleeis, aber Waldbeereis geht auch.“ „Eis, stotterte ich, wir haben leider nur Käsebrot dabei, aber da oben habe ich blaues Eis im Gletscher gesehen.“ „Schlumpfeis“, rief der Bär, „mein Lieblingseis!“ Plötzlich drehte er sich um und lief auf allen Vieren davon. Ich setzte mich und wischte die Schweißperlen von der Stirn. „Trink eine Tasse Tee, sagte Gerhild, und dann machen wir uns auf den Heimweg.“



Der Troll hat irgendwie gehört, dass unsere Norwegenreise zu Ende geht und hat schnell eine Abschiedsfeier hergezaubert. Auf einer kleinen Insel hat er alle eingeladen, die wir hier getroffen haben. So unterschiedlich wie sie waren, haben sie sich alle gut verstanden. Die Trollprinzessin hat ein Lied angestimmt und alle haben mitgesungen. Der Eisbär hat gebrummt, die Mammut Familie hat trompetet, der Elch hat „Muh“ gesungen, und Kim „La la la“. Gerhild hat mit den Füßen gewippt und der Braunbär hat laut mitgesummt. Ein Krebs ist aufgetaucht und hat sich über den Lärm beschwert. Es war lustig! Nun fahren wir weg mit der Fähre und denken daran, wie schön es war.


Postcards2024-07-16T09:57:28+02:00

22 July Nordart


The East is red by Liu Ruowang


Original Sin by Liu Ruowang


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Mr. Pinocchio by Liu Ruowang


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Quo vadis by David Černÿ


By Samuel Salcedo, Spain, Pinball Wizard?


Dejo Denzer, Germany, Shoe Character Heads I-XII


By Dejo Denzer


By Erdil Yagaroglu, Türkiye, Big Dreams


By Ayla Turan, Türkiye, FRAGILE


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XIANG Jing, Dress Up


By Gaby Fey, Germany, Save Our Souls – SOS



What a sandwich!


By Michal Jackowski, Poland, Sticky Pink


By Michal Jackowski, Poland, Empty Gold Man


By Villu Jaanisoo, Estonia/Finland, Goethe

Stopped for the night at Campingplatz Dreenkrögen.

22 July Nordart2024-07-16T09:58:52+02:00

21 July Emil Nolde‘s colours


Today we visited the Emil Nolde museum in his house (thanks Dagmar).


One of his famous mountain postcards.


The farmhouse down the road.


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Look at those colours!


The garden is pretty colourful too.


Not to mention the interior decor.


Our campsite in Rendsburg is in a nice location.

21 July Emil Nolde‘s colours2024-07-16T09:59:56+02:00

20 July Windy walk along a dyke


It was very windy this afternoon.


The sheep didn’t seem to mind.


A strange wood just below the dyke.


Sweetcorn swaying in the breeze.

20 July Windy walk along a dyke2024-07-16T10:00:33+02:00

19 July On the beach


Gerhild is happy enjoying the morning sun on the beach.


This is a BIG beach.


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The dunes are nice.


Looks healthy.

19 July On the beach2024-07-16T10:01:07+02:00

18 July Rømø

Today we drove a little further south onto the island of Rømø.


A good pitch in this circular arrangement around a pond. (oasen-roemoe.dk)


We went for a walk along the east side of Rømø.


We didn’t bump into any tigers, but I wouldn’t have been surprised.

18 July Rømø2024-07-16T10:01:36+02:00

17 July Goodbye Emil, hello sea


We looked in on Emil this morning to make sure he hadn’t woken up.


Then we drove south to Billund, home of Lego, to look at their sculpture walk.
See web site


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Then we moved to the North Sea coast (Wadden Sea National Park)


Kim! The birds are over here!


The sun on its way to bed.

17 July Goodbye Emil, hello sea2024-07-16T10:02:16+02:00

16 July Vild Emil


Vild Gerhild is in a swinging mood in the forest.

We heard a strange noise in the woods today –

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Never wake a sleeping troll!

16 July Vild Emil2024-07-16T10:02:56+02:00

15 July Waterfront walk


Will he make it or won’t he?


Of course he will!


We had a nice lunch here.


We found a collection of dachas nearby, one more eccentric than the next!


The superstructure of a small fishing boat, minus its hull.


This glorious beast is made from old pallets.


Curiouser and curiouser.


They’re a creative lot around here.

15 July Waterfront walk2024-07-16T10:03:37+02:00

13 July Ferry to Denmark


We had some time before the ferry left from Kristiansand, so we we followed this sign to the top of the hill.


Not a bad view from the top.

After a quick shop at Kvickly, we eventually found our new campsite https://strandparken.dk/.

13 July Ferry to Denmark2024-07-16T10:04:54+02:00

12 July Move to Topcamp Sjøsanden in Mandal

Expensive campsite but great location.


Several small, secret beaches like this and one really long one.


Great forest.


He doesn’t look like a camper to me.


Beautiful blue sky for our last day in Norway.


Warm rocks to lounge around on.


Kim is blending into the scenery.


Reminds me of the French Mediterranean coast, just a bit cooler.

12 July Move to Topcamp Sjøsanden in Mandal2024-07-16T10:05:27+02:00

11 July Rainy day off


Help, the world is melting – or maybe it’s the rain?

11 July Rainy day off2024-07-16T10:05:51+02:00

10 July Rainy drive to Kirkehavn

Norway has its rain hat on today.

Heading further south there are even more mountains reaching up to the clouds.


Snapped from our cosy camper between windscreen wipes.


Norwegian rain forest.


Kirkehavn boathouses.


Right behind the bobilparkering.


Those will go nicely with the red wine.


About 21:00.


The coastal path.

10 July Rainy drive to Kirkehavn2024-07-16T10:06:33+02:00

9 July On the beach


Rocky beach in places, otherwise miles of sand.


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A walk in the waves.


The rocks are beautifully warm from the sun.


Loads of wild flowers too.


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Super-size Norwegian boulders.


The wind‘s getting up a bit.


Time for tea.

9 July On the beach2024-07-16T10:10:00+02:00

8 July Dalsnuten walk and move to the beach


The Dutch woman on the tandem bike said „Dalsnuten is a great, easy walk.“ So here we are.


A first stepping stone.


What a lot of lillies!


Another lake.


Made it, look at the view! Thanks Simon.


This view‘s not bad either.


We‘ve just come down from up there.


Who’s that?


Three Nowegian girls in a canoe.

In the afternoon we drove to Brusand Camping.

8 July Dalsnuten walk and move to the beach2024-07-16T10:10:47+02:00

7 July Urban art in Stavanger


Until Covid spoiled things there used to be a street art festival in Stavanger which is curiously now in Aberdeen.


Somehow we keep bumping into bears.


Norway is usually a very tidy place.


Why have these children got British money stuffed in their pockets?


Stavanger seems to have quite a fertile atmosphere.


21st century trolls?


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The Nowegian Post Office copes well with Stavanger‘s narrow, historic streets.

7 July Urban art in Stavanger2024-07-16T10:11:36+02:00

6 July Drive under the sea to Stavanger


The view from the window this morning.


This is our cosy lay-by where we spent the night.


We drove through the 14 km under-sea Ryfylke Tunnel. Long tunnels are very boring. This is the first time we’ve seen an attempt to add interest.


Our campsite in Stavanger is next to a lake full of our friendly feathered friends.

6 July Drive under the sea to Stavanger2024-07-16T10:12:22+02:00

4 July Walk up to the Bondhusvatnet lake


Dramatic start to the day.


The path follows the river. (See more about the walk.)


There are lots of Foxgloves and other fascinating things next to the path.


Huge rocks lie around all over the place.


Where does all of that water come from?


Nearly there. That small triangle between the mountains is what’s left of the glacier.


We made it to the lake!


The glacier used to come down beyond the treeline. Then they started cutting lumps off to cart down to the fjord and to ship to the big cities. After all, what’s a gin and tonic without ice? That would be one heck of a lot of G&T‘s to account for what’s missing. Maybe something else is going on?


Beautiful green environment.


Final approach of a hungry bee.


Bee landed at trumpet number eleven.


Time for bed.

4 July Walk up to the Bondhusvatnet lake2024-07-16T10:14:03+02:00

2 July Troll hunt in the woods

The funicular from Bergen takes you straight up into the woods.


We saw this at the start of our walk, so we are now on the lookout for trolls.


Very mysterious but I don’t think it’s a troll.


Spooky, but still not a troll.


No trolls here either.


Not a troll in sight, let’s enjoy the view.


A veggie garden just behind the funicular.


Just the right size for a troll.


A monster troll, help!


That is the question. Time to buzz off back to the camper.

2 July Troll hunt in the woods2024-07-16T10:15:03+02:00

1 July Drive to Bergen, visit the old town

It was a long drive but we made it to Bergen and the city’s camper parking.


Bergen‘s most famous view with us right in the middle.


The tram stop is just down the road and this is right opposite.


The tram ceiling is decorated with children’s art. Loved it.


After the €2 tram ride we poked around the old buildings next to the harbour.


Further uphill was more interesting and we left most of the other tourists behind.


Some plants love it here.


A helpful young Norwegian explained that this graffiti shows traditional dress for small boys who march behind the drummers in parades. No obvious political message as far as we could understand. (See Youtube)


I‘m sure Peter Pan would approve.

1 July Drive to Bergen, visit the old town2024-07-16T10:16:21+02:00

30 June 3 ferries to Stardaselva valley

Heading for Bergen today we used 3 ferries and stopped for the night in Stardaselva valley.


Two of the three ferries were electric! (See Wikipedia) They are incredibly quiet, don‘t smell and are very smooth.


The valley is attractive, but with a busy road.


Good for one night.

30 June 3 ferries to Stardaselva valley2024-07-16T10:16:53+02:00

29 June Day off

Lazed around today.


In the evening.

29 June Day off2024-07-16T10:17:08+02:00

28 June Trollstigen and Ålesund


Gerhild was awake at the crack of dawn today!


A few minutes later Gerhild was out and about.


That valley down there is full of clouds.


At the top of the Trollstigen bendy road.


The tree‘s enjoying the view too.


Now we have to drive down into the clouds!

Very handy camper parking area right next to the historic centre.


Ålesund harbour; the small one, for Viking boats.


Gulls don‘t appreciate art…


Nice view of Gerhild and the big harbour with two cruise ships. That makes getting on for ten thousand tourists who might pop ashore for a cup of tea.


The view forwards from our parking spot in Ålesund. We could almost be on the beach!

28 June Trollstigen and Ålesund2024-07-16T10:17:52+02:00

27 June Geiranger – Trollstigen scenic route


The sun has taken the day off today.


The clouds have come down instead.


High up in the mountains it’s a bit eerie.


Coming down towards Geirangerfjorden.


Gudbrandsjuvet.


An extremely loud waterfall with a designer walkway.

27 June Geiranger – Trollstigen scenic route2024-07-16T10:18:22+02:00

25 June The glacier museum

We took a three minute walk to the fantastic glacier museum today. https://www.bremuseum.no/ The architect – Sverre Fehn.


It looks like a set for a James Bond film.


The roof moves as you walk, to give you that ultimate glacier feeling!

There is a fabulous „wrap around“ panoramic film as an introduction-

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Loads of things are interactive.

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Kim trying hard to melt an ice cube.


A mountain-shaped toilet.


Back to the campsite.


Wouldn’t you just love a roof like this.


Time for Norwegian siesta, until it cools down a bit.

25 June The glacier museum2024-07-16T10:19:39+02:00

24 June A „book“ village


Beautiful start to the day.


Abundant wild flowers along our walk to Fjærland.


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Books everywhere here, but you can‘t use your credit card to put something in the „honesty“ box. We even had to cadge some 5 NOK coins to feed the meter in the shower here as we have no Norwegian currency at all.


They even offer books in English.


Looking up The Valley behind Fjærland.


Our camp site is thattaway.

24 June A „book“ village2024-07-16T10:20:35+02:00

23 June A 19th century road and a stave church


This road (Vindhellavegen) started right from our car park.


The surrounding hillside.


19th century roadbuilding at it finest (and steepest)


A royal bench hosting not so royal visitors.


Detail showing the royal carriage.


The 800 year old Borgund stave church.


A charming young man told us all about the church.


Inside.


The windows providing light for the congregation.


The external gallery with tar/pine resin drips produced when the sun is hot.


The surroundings for our new campsite in Boyum.


The yachting fraternity / oligarchs seem to like this location too.

23 June A 19th century road and a stave church2024-07-16T10:21:28+02:00

22 June Aurlandsfjellet scenic route 2, looking for bears

There was an auspicious start to the day. I wonder what the Vikings made of rainbows? (See Bifröst, the rainbow bridge)

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Looks like polar bear country to me.


Polar bears don’t wear blue hoodies.


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Still no polar bears.


That’s not a polar bear either, it’s our campervan!


No luck with bears yet, but Gerhild has spotted a cave.


It‘s a brown bear! Look at the junk in his lair.


Further down the snow has turned into noise.


Look at the wonderful plants basking in the spray.


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22 June Aurlandsfjellet scenic route 2, looking for bears2024-07-16T10:22:26+02:00

21 June Aurlandsfjellet scenic route 1

Our drive today started with a lot of tunnels, some even having underground roundabouts!

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There is a well documented set of scenic routes in Norway – https://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en/routes/aurlandsfjellet/ so today, instead of the world’s longest gloomy tunnel, we took the scenic route. Check out the video on this page.

After a nerve-racking sequence of hairpin bends we came to „Stegastein“.

The viewing platform.


The view.


At 1250 m above sea-level we decided to stay for the night.


It looks cold but it was 13°C.


In the evening.

21 June Aurlandsfjellet scenic route 12024-07-16T10:23:17+02:00

20 June Walk to the Tveitafossen waterfall

Directly from our village Kinsarvik, there is a path which follows the very loud river Kinso. The cuckoos in the valley need a megaphone to make themselves heard over the rushing water.


Two very patient locals marking the start of the path.


The river is in a real rush to get down to the fjord.


A local‘s celebration of Covid’s demise.


Don‘t you think this looks spookily like the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood?


Even louder water!


The trees don‘t seem to mind the noise.


What a waterfall!

Anyone feel like crossing the bridge?

20 June Walk to the Tveitafossen waterfall2024-07-16T10:24:11+02:00

18 June Drive west to Kinsarvik

After getting up early we enjoyed a long drive westwards across southern Norway.


At 1000 m above sea level there’s still ice and snow despite a temperature of 17°C.


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On the way down from the plateau.


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The view as we arrived.


The view at about 10 o‘clock.

Kinsarvik Camping provides a great view out over Hardangerfjord.

18 June Drive west to Kinsarvik2024-07-16T10:25:15+02:00

17 June Kistefos

The new Kistefos museum is amazing.


SHINTARO MIYAKE „WELCOME TO OUR PLANET!“


CLAES OLDENBURG & COOSJE VAN BRUGGEN „TUMBLING TACKS“


TONY CRAGG „I’M ALIVE“


Yayoi Kusama


What’s that?


It‘s magic: a whirlpool in a glass.


Some Viking god dropped his shield here.


The Twist.


Also by Tony Cragg, he‘s full of surprises.


Even the toilets here have something to say!


Help, let me in, I need the loo!


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Olafur Eliasson‘s portrait of Gerhild.


Olafur Eliasson‘s Portrait of Kim.

17 June Kistefos2024-07-16T10:26:23+02:00

16 June Final Oslo Impressions

Tomorrow we are leaving Oslo, so we made a last brief trip into the sculpture park, got some good advice from a Flemish couple and took an early bus to keep cool heads.


Louise Bourgeois nestling in the woods just nearby.


Louise Bourgeois In the garden around the Norwegian royal palace.


Downtown Oslo #1.


Downtown Oslo #2.


Downtown Oslo #3.


Downtown Oslo #4


Back home before three to recover from being a tourist.

16 June Final Oslo Impressions2024-07-16T10:27:15+02:00

15 June Henie Onstad museum

This is Sonja Henie, the world’s best ice dancer who became a Hollywood star, married a wealthy shipping magnate and then built a museum just outside of Oslo.

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Marc Chagall was on show.


Inghild Karlsen „Our Inner Beasts“


Kjell Erik Killi Olsen „The Little Mother’s History“


Some wild electronic stuff


A fun room by Yayoi Kusawa


The museum is surrounded by a sculpture park which includes this huge work by Arnold Haukeland, Sun Sculpture.

15 June Henie Onstad museum2024-07-16T10:27:52+02:00

14 June Ekeberg Sculpture Park

This https://ekebergparken.com is right next to us.


TONY CRAGG „CAST GLANCES“


AASE TEXMON RYGH – „MÖBIUS TRIPPEL“


ANN-SOFI SIDÊN – „FIDEICOMMISSUM“ – cheeky!


FERNANDO BOTERO – „RECLINING WOMAN„


HUMA ВНАВНА – „WE COME IN PEACE“


There’s quite a view from up here.


I‘m sure that it didn‘t look the same when Munch was being inspired.

14 June Ekeberg Sculpture Park2024-07-16T10:28:29+02:00
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