The new apartments (condos) in the dark color on the left are built on a former pier for cargo vessels and the same for the white buildings on the right.The grain terminal behind the cruise ship is still in operation. The green space to the right behind the cruise ship is the park area where Akerhus Festning (fortress) is located. The downtown of Oslo is behind the park. My home was next to the mountain farthest to the top left. This photo continues to the right of the forme

One of my favorite flowers, Foxglove. Look close and looks like particles of chocolate is falling out of the flower. Another of my favourite flowers, Spear Thistle (also known as Scottish Thistle). You will notice if you get to close, the spikes are very sharp.

I was impressed with the construction of the church, considering that the building took place around 1160, considering the tall vertical beams. This is the interior of the tower. This photo shows the entrance to the churc and how it was damaged by the various religeous socienties that occupied the church over years between 1550 and 1875. There were too many people in the little chuch when I wanted to take a picture, hence I borrowed this photo from the society looking after t

This church was built in 1192 and was dedicated to Saint Margareta. Only two stave churches in Norway had an inscription of who built the church and it is runic inscription: þorolfr : gærþi : kirku þesa ÷: askrimr ÷ hakon ÷ ælikr ÷ pal ¶ æinriþi ÷ siønti ÷ þorolfrIt ÷þorer ÷ ræist÷olafr. Translatet it means: "Þórolfr made this church. Ásgrímr, Hákon, Erlingr, Páll, Eindriði, Sjaundi, Þórulfr. Þórir carved. Ólafr. The church was subject to many indoor changes/destruction dur

Conleth O'Donnaghue at Bliss Hair Studio has been looking after my hair since 1983 and I knew he was doing art some work on copper plates, but he surprised me the other day with this art work. Not only does he do a great job as hairstylist but also as amateur artist as well.

This is Sandsværveien, which is one of the oldest streets in Kongsberg. Many of the workers in the silver mines settled down here. Some of the houses in this photo are more than 200 years old.The work in the silver mines started in 1623 and till they closed in 1957 a total of 1,350,000 kilos of pure silver were mined. More than 80 different mines were in operation. At the peak of the silver mining in 1769 about 4,000 workers were employed. Many of the workers were Germa

Kongsberg was founded in 1624 and the church (baroque style) was officially opened in 1761. It can seat 2,400 and can accommodate up to 4,000. It is located on a hill in the city's west side and it can be seen from nearly everywhere in the city. Above there very decorated alter portion is the dominating Gloger orgel. The golden chandelier (there meters tall) has only live candles, which will only be used on special occasions. I will never forget the impressive Christmas de

This photo gives a good illustration of "Chalets" (the white house) that keeps creeping in on the islands. That is the trend now and I have not quite adjusted to the change. Good bye to Bamle, hopefully Christine and I will be back late next summer.

These pictures were taken on my morning hike around 04:45am and the sun was already up, but behind clouds. The clouds lifted during the next hour. The coast line is dotted with islands and these islands are rapidly being occupied with new cabins, although I would rather use the term "Chalet". The prices vary from 1,000,000 to oner 3 million Norwegian crowns. The present exchange rate is 6.17 to 1 Can $. It is quite common that the Norwegians have either a cabin/chalet at

I spent a few days with my second cousin Svein at his cabin on the east side of Oslofjord. We had marvellous weather and enjoyed boating and relaxing. This was my favourite location with the beautiful view and my morning coffee. We are coming in from a boating trip and docking just outside Svein's cabin.