Scream for me Oslo

 

Continuing the metal theme from yesterday today again managed to combine most of my favourite things (kids and good friends apart) in the space of a city experience. 

An early walk through the city to Toyen Park ( a little less easy to find than anticipated) but the reason being was it wasn't much more than a hill on the side of the city that we had to run up and down several times.  Friendly team of course and the general parkrun vibe with that mixture of locals and Brits on tour that are the hallmark of these kinds of events.  The run was actually hard work and not much of a confidence builder for the big one next Sunday but my running is far from perfect and hills are one of the many things that don't agree with it!

Great to walk back through rock city and to our hotel where we were able to really take advantage of the breakfast,  Whilst our approach to travel is to enjoy the finer things in life where we can, that does involve maximising the elements already contained within the pre paid parts of the trip.  Spend to date that wasn't pre paid has included the nordic curry, a train ticket from the airport and the heavy metal drinks last night. They were also heavy on the pocket and it must be noted whilst the curry was not unreasonable for a highish class eatery, ten quid plus for drinks in a local boozer not quite sitting as well with me. Although I do also need to confess I still think a quid for a pint back in student days 30 years ago is a benchmark I need to let go of.

Made our move out of the hotel for our next city tour (on foot), our box room served its purpose, but be interested to see if it sets the bar for room size over the next few days.  The hotels was very good in all other respects, some spirally decor and huge array of breakfast means it ends in the positive. Managed to eat both breakfast and brunch in one sitting.

Spring well and truly sprung in Oslo, and we walked through the merry throng of shoppers, taking in some of the old squares and harbourside, tall ships, bells, grand buildings, all the usual fodder of these kinds of trips. Not sure I have seen enough viking related stuff for my liking so far, that is my goal on our return, with other areas well and truly covered today.

The main focus of our sightseeing today was to spend some time in the National Museum with a particular focus on the Artist known as Munch. Prior to finding his work we immersed ourselves in all manner of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and items from across the ages. We are pretty predictable as humans, accumulating pretty stuff and finding ways of recording our self image all hallmarks of the last two millennia.

Ironically the modern stuff took my attention as much as the traditional with a chopper bike (or equivalent) along with a bit of A Ha mastery sitting alongside the busts and the beauty.

I found 3 self portraits of Munch and was good to see how he aged over the years, if anyone can provide a more up to date picture of the other Munch I'd be very grateful. (that one for Southampton Uni readers only) Chrissi also nearly got thrown out trying to get too close to Munch, again the Southampton Uni crowd could have warned her about that too!

We walked back to our hotel, picked up our luggage, and it was back onto the local trains to the airport. Chrissi found a useful blog providing a few hints and tips on getting around without relying on taxis and I think worth crediting that person here. (as well as Chrissi)

Our internal flights to Tromso I got excited when I booked a few weeks ago, and went Business Class, as it didn't seem a lot more than economy, and here I now am blogging and enjoying the benefits of fast track checkin and the SAS lounge, a far more chilled, upmarket and generally acceptable experience than the hub bub we had to endure in Heathrow yesterday.

Thoroughly excited by both the view and way we were looked after on the flight into the Arctic circle.  The world view was a white and remote one and so evocative in the way it conjures thoughts about travellers past and present.  Our landing into Tromso certainly felt like we were entering another world.

Was a lovely modern airport and so near the town so we quickly got a taxi to our home for the next four nights the Scandic Ishavhotel.  Darkness falling at around 9pm out here now and promise of a couple of clear nights ahead, although not tonight, the murk, the cloud, the snow all very ambient.

The streets very quiet so it was time to visit the old faithful 7/11 for some snacks that I am now consuming, blogging and looking out at the harbour with the promise of some exploratory days ahead.