life in the old lane

Got myself to my lodgings by 2pm. And they let me in me in early. Think it’s because I looked so old and weary. It wasn’t an act. That gave me time to wander around Oslo and totally exhaust myself. 

From what I saw, I am charmed by Oslo. There are a lot of dogs. Huge dogs. Big furry creatures. Plus a lot of bull dogs. These seem to wear overcoats. The tiny kids are adorable in big puffy snowsuits.

Iceland Air was fine. It was late, but I got here. Speaking of here. As soon as I got off the plane in Oslo I unmasked and didn’t consider putting it back on. I saw one person wearing a mask after I left the airport.  

Food? Best meal I have had since Hawaii on the plane last night. Wonderful lox, cream cheese, onion and good bagel for breakfast. And a perfectly fine mushroom quiche With salad and bread and coffee for dinner. The residents of Oslo seem to love their coffee and sweets. 

Tomorrow it’s on the train from 8:30am to 3something in the afternoon. Then a modest walk to the ferry dock. The boat should be at the dock by 4pm 

Waiting at the airport. So far so good. Cell and WiFi pretty crappy. But no worries not I am past TSA.

Several hours later. The flight is going to be at least an hour late. Gotta love Icelandair.

• • IAD – OSL – Iceland Air
  • OSL (Oslo) – BGO (Bergen) – Train
  • BGO – KKN (Kirkenes) – Ferry 
  • KKN- BGO – Ferry
  • BGO – OSL – Train
  • OSL – IAD – Iceland Air

10,000 miles of “adventure”.

Let’s check the weather – Well, the 10-day forecast for the weather from Bergen to Kirkenes is not looking too good for aurora viewing.

Oh, there are weather “alerts too”. Which sound pretty ominous when translated.

POTENTIAL DISRUPTION DUE TO COASTAL EVENT
ISSUED: 6:13 AM FEB. 24, 2022 – EUMETNET – METEOALARM
Local moderate icing on ships in exposed coastal and fjord areas in Finnmark, partly also in Troms. Rapid enough ice growth can cause a small boat to lose stability, capsize and sink. For larger boats, slippery decks, railings, ladders and icy lifeboats and other rescue equipment are expected. Icing can damage radio communications if the antennas freeze. Moderate ice growth on the front / wheelhouse of the ship. Remove ice from the boat.
POTENTIAL DISRUPTION DUE TO WIND ISSUED: 3:13 AM FEB. 23, 2022 – EUMETNET – METEOALARM
From Wednesday night southerly stiff gale 15m / s, periodic strong gale 20. Decreasing Thursday night. Rough sea and white foam from breaking wave peaks. Medium high waves. The wave crests are breaking up into sea stingrays. High waves. The sea begins to roll. The sea rocket can reduce the field of vision. Consider leaving the boat lying.

It sounds like fun! I believe that these warnings apply to this week. Next week might be better.

Kirkenes, where the ferry turns and heads south is on the Russian border. I had actually planned on taking the bus to the border. Rethinking that plan. 

As Carlton always said: If you think you are having fun, you are having fun.

They flew over Arlington National Cemetery.  I didn’t see them until they had passed the cemetery. So, it could have been a missing man flyover. Or they could just be out flying around enjoying the 70° weather, 

Went downstairs this afternoon, and what did I find?

The Asylum brought a petting zoo in today. Fortunately, it was warm. So, the cow was able to stay outside.  It seems like a lot of work, but, it was sorta cute.

One lady was trying to take pictures of the animals with her iPad. She asked me to take the pictures with it for her. Not a problem.

And why exactly do I think I need all this stuff?  I got my clothes nicely curated. But this stuff is something else. I got most of it into the pack. And the pack now weighs 10.5 pounds. That means I added 5 pounds of junk to my bag. Will reassess tomorrow.  Who knows, I might actually “need” all this stuff? 

Oslo is looking to be in the 40° and sunny range when I arrive on Saturday at noonish. The next day, Bergen,  where I get the ferry, is supposed to be in the 30s and snowy. You take the weather you get. 

Life continues at The Asylum. One functional resident can’t take it anymore and he is moving out. For many, leaving is an economic impossibility. For others, self-included, not sure that there really is a better option.  For the most part, The Asylum means well. Bless its heart. 

This is what I am going to stuff in my pack:

1. 1. 1. Wool Hoodie
      2. Wool pullover sweater
      3. Wool T-Shirt – long sleeves
      4. Silk base layer T-shirt
      5. Synthetic T-shirt
      6. Synthetic tank top – really underwear
      7. Some underwear – one bra, a couple of panties
      8. Really long heavy wool socks 
      9. Normal wool socks
      10. Swimsuit. You never know. 
      11. Allbird winter sneakers
      12. Nightgown
      13. Heavy leggings
      14. Base layer bottom
      15. Base layer top

 Plan on wearing jeans, t-shirt, wool pullover sweater, heavy wool sweater, undies and socks of course, and waterproof duck boots. Carry my overcoat. Stash hat, gloves, scarf in the pack.  

Counting on this layer system to keep me warm and dry. I will end up wearing leggings for pants. Which is not great. But, most of the time I’ll have my coat on. And, on the ferry. Well, it’s a  ferry. They don’t have a dress code. 

That’s my table and origami mat and old 12-inch wood ruler. As seen by the kaleidoscope and Pixel 6xl.

Finished the taxes. All ready to mail them off to the CPA. Since there is no mail pickup tomorrow – I have them “aging” for now. So, if I get the little old lady yips – I can go check things for the 257th time. Never mind that that is what I pay the guy for. 

Ordered an additional memory card for my GoPro. Just in case there are lots of photo ops. I am not real optimistic about the aurora. Whatever happens. Happens.  It would be fantastic to just see stars. And not freeze to death!

Ok, I remember how to update the blog from the iPad and snag the photos from the phone.

Also, checked, there seems to be WiFi on my ferry. No telling how good it is.

Did a little test packing today. I am really counting on the weather being cold but not much below freezing. Nothing says that I have to get off the boat.

By this time next week I’ll be there.

Tomorrow maybe get the taxes wrapped up. Or not.

Finished up my trip plans today. Made essential reservations. It was hard to stick with my original plan to just stay in Norway to keep it simple. I found myself saying “well, with these six days after the ferry boat, you can go to Copenhagen and Stockholm and Helsinki and end up back in Oslo to catch the plane. Well, no you can’t Peg. You are an old woman. Live to travel another day.

So, I am going to spend 3 nights in Bergen (where the ferry lands). If the weather is nice – which is unlikely – I think it is like Skagway weatherwise. So, if it is sunny there are some outdoor things to do. And, if it isn’t there are books to read, shops to check out, coffee to drink. Then take the train back to Oslo for another 4 nights. Oslo really doesn’t interest me. But I am betting I’ll like it. After I get there.

I would like to see Vemork which is where the German’s tried to manufacture heavy water for their atomic bomb. But, I don’t think it is doable. 

Here at the Asylum, we have a “Free to Good Home” table. And what was on it this morning but a couple of kaleidoscopes.  The cheapest-looking one has an eyepiece that is phone-friendly. So, pictures happen. Could be fun on a slow day.

Have some weird images hanging out on my desktop

And I am actually going on that tour in late May.  A ladies’ garden tour. In Jolly Old…my travel companion says “It might be interesting”.

Came upon this liter on my walk this morning. But not on the grounds of The Asylum! 

This isn’t the least bit funny. But, when I first saw it my thought was “WOW, that is some bigass camera.”

For Valentine’s Day, the Asylum wanted us to put up pictures of our pets, 

Now, I need to stay awake until 9 PM for a zoom meeting. Wonder if I can turn my camera off and go to sleep? Can I send Alexa to the meeting in my place? 

 

Big event today was finding some warmish and hopefully waterproofish shoes. Not the right time of the year for that. I think these will be fine. For sure they are more waterproof than my Allbirds which are merely water repellant. I plan on leaving wearing them to Norway and leaving them there. 

After I got back from my shoe quest, I put them on and took a fast lap around our so-called “wilderness trail”.  

You know, people most likely plan this sort of trip months in advance. That’s just not my style. Especially at my age and with covid still on the loose. Never mind that Norway and most of the rest of Scandanavia have abolished all covid restrictions.  I first thought of going to Norway on Feb 3rd. 

Still snapping photos of the crows outside my window.  I remember too well in the late 1990s when the crows had almost disappeared from the area due to West Nile virus. They recovered. And humans may recover from Covid. But, it will take a while.

Did some thinking about my 12-day ferry boat ride. There are some aquariums along the way that I might like to visit. One of them has this rather grim sentence in its advertising: You can touch skate and meet cod, saithe, halibut and many more. After feeding the wolf fish, you will be served steaming hot wolf fish cake.  Now, I understand that you fatten up cows in the feedlot and then eat cows as steaming hot burgers, but still… 

Also, thinking I might need to get more suitable footwear. Allbirds might not hack it.