Into the Pits of Hell Once again!

Tuesday May 26 2015 or into the pits of Hell again.

I guess I’ll start where I left off on Monday last.  Tuesday rolled around as it usually does. But this time it was something special. Astor,(The marina owner came down and turned the fuel on so I could get some. I filled the main tank and two of the 22 litre jerry cans. I then paid for the fuel and got a discount and then I tried to pay for the dockage. I was told quite forcibly not to worry about it! So I didn’t and I saved 600 Kroner.

 I then took the bus into town to find a Boche dealer to see about getting the furnace fixed. After a couple of false starts I arrived at the right shop. Asked about a repair and roughly how much it would cost. After I picked myself up off the floor I was then dumb no strike that I must have bumped my head as I asked the cost of a new one. I woke up in the hospital!

Made my way back to Kalinka 1 and decided if it was broke what harm could I do? So I climbed down into the lazzerett  with my trusty can of WD40 and a tube of No further corrode and a part roll of black electricians tape. I pulled apart all the connectors, thorolly cleaned them all stuck them all back together. Extradited myself from the pit. Crossed my fingers, toes, legs, arms and eyes and then found I couldn’t push the on button! Without first uncrossing something, but what? I decided on my eyes because I could then see where the switch was! Big start, then brain wave uncrossed one set of fingers switched the switch and ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,silence! Phooey said I!!! Then ever so quietly (I wasn’t wearing my hearing aids) I could hear the faint sound of a fan running. OH Boy says I. Then silence again, OH double phooey says I! Then,,,,,,,, the not so silent sound of an Atlas Rocket starting and winding up until lift off!! HA HA says I success. Heat for the rest of the day no problem.

The next major happening of the day I shut it off! Jumped on a bust to the airport also known as Lusthaven and went to meet Sally!!!!!

Sally arrived on time and in good spirits. She was feeling good the spirits were actually in her luggage so when we got back to the boat I was also in good spirits. Awash in them in fact! Swiched the heater switch and Viola (I actually dated a girl name Viola she became a Nun but that’s a different story) the furnace started right up. Wowzer I think I fixed it.

Launch day and new home

Tues.,May 19/15. Launch day!

         So after May 17 day I took Mon May 16 off and didn’t do a whole lot. But on Tues. May 19 it was a BIG day! At about 1430 or 230 for you landlubber types I actuall not I personaly but I in Kalinka1 went into the water! Yippeee Hoooray and she didn’t leak well actually no more than normal, the electric pump took care of it!  Was told by Bjorn I could have any open spot. So I picked an easy one and if the boat sank it would really sink!

         However everything worked out as I knew it would so no issues. I immediately plugged in and then got the hose going and washed the, stuffing out of the top sides and then did the insides. What a difference now when I touched something I didn’t come away filthy!  What a pleasure to be back in the water after such a long time. Seems like forever! Spent the next couple of days doing odd bits and trying to stay warm and dry! I succeeded! Friday I decided I needed a change of scenery so I said my fare wells and headed out.

          Decided on going back to Eidkjosen as easier to get around from there and closer to Lufthavnen to get Sally when she arrives. Easy motor after having to bleed the engine again! No bleeding the engine doesn’t include shooting or stabbing it.( Though that is sometimes what you would like to with them ). And having shot a couple of engines there is quite a bit of satisfaction in it! What it means that with a diesel engine you have to get all the air out of the system or they just won’t run. I better back up here.

            I decided to change the fuel filter. This meant that I had to take the old one off and replace it. However when doing this air is introduced into the fuel  feed. Hence the need to bleed. Thought I had got it all done until time to leave and engine start and die! Ha I said, I know whats wrong so I opened an injector (Injectors are the thingys that spray diesel fuel into the combustion chambers where the fuel is compressed to the point it ignites and drives the piston down which turns the crank shaft which turns the propeller shaft which turns the propeller which makes the boat move. )Fuuufff. But now you kind of know how a diesel engine works. A Gasoline engine does the same thing but the fuel is ignited by a spark.

          Anyway I got it bled again and it kept running so I crossed my fingers, toes and legs (I did have to pee hence the leg cross. The finger and toes were for luck of course! Cast off the lines and said goodby to Skattora Marina. Headed South at 2 knots and just enjoyed the day! Made a coffee and watched the scenery slide by. Ahhh cruising, there’s no life like it! Of course the wind was on the nose!

            I rounded the bottom of the Island and was able to u furl the jib and do a bit of sailing. But as is usually the case the wind that was on the nose and should have been on the beam decided that it was break time and stopped. (I hate Unionized weather)  so I motored to Eidkjosen Bathavn. Tried to land on the main dock but of course the wind decided to come back after lunch and blew me off the dock! The I remembered I could use Ingbjorn’s slip as he was going to be away for a couple of weeks. So I motored over and did. Then it started to rain and the bottom of the thermometer dropped out and the whole weekend has been like that with the added The Heater is acting up so tough to stay warm  

           Sat. I said enough is enough and caught the bus and went into town!!

           Sun fooled with the heater without much success.

         

Monday May 25/15 up bright and early. What else are you going to do when your bits are just about frozen! Put the kettle on and of course it’s raining. Whoopee just what I need freezing rain. Well not really but it sure felt like it. Decided to have a go at the heater. So coveralls on tools organized emptied the lazzaret attempted to get in. Too big! Took off fleecy sweater, just fit. Means I can just sqeeze out! Get in disconnect fuel line check filter seems like lots of fuel so sqqqqeeeezzze out. Fire it up. Ignition, Jet engine starts to wind up then……………….nothin!(insert numerous bad words of your choice). It winds up again and again…………nuthin!!!!!! Then I read Sally’s email where she informed me the last time 1998 to be exact that we had had a problem it was electrical! Haaa say’s I. then I unplugged the inverter (thingy that converts 12 volt electricity to 110 volt electricity). Viola fired up and has been running steadily all day! Problem solved? Anyhow Elephants  have nothing on Sally!

Then I had lunch. Beans and tea.

Then since I knew I could get in and more importantly out of the Lazerett. I decided to hook up the new Radio tuner. No problems everything went splendidly and now I can use the ham radio again. Had a whiskey in celebration and there the day ends!!!!

First week in Tromso or how I didn't get launched

Tues May12/15.

So after a surprisingly good nights sleep on the hard. I awoke bright eyed and bushy tailed. Well not actually bushy tailed because I don’t have a tail. Made myself a cup of tea ate a sticky bun and decided on the days projects.

#1 I tidied up inside so that I could move around without banging into, stepping over and ducking under  something every time I moved. Once that was accomplished I unpacked and put my stuff away. I then put my coveralls on and took the rest of the cover off laid it on the pavement to dry as it had rained most of the night! Then I borrowed the yard van and did some shopping.

Oh I didn’t mention We have a new fridge!  It works and everything. So when I went shopping I could buy fridge stuff like meat and eggs and veggies and beer and butter also known as smor.  And some other boring stuff.

 I got back to the yard in good time. Didn’t want to abuse the Bil thingy. Rolled up the cover and stored it up in the forepeak. Rigged the stations and life lines didn’t want to fall and break my neck! Wed. I painted the bottom installed two new zincs and ready for the water. No such luck Too busy and the yard is closed for a 4 day weekend! A church holiday  on Thurs A recovery day on Fri. Regular Sat. day off. And then May 17 (Independence day) on Sunday. We live in the wrong country!

The good news was I could use the van all weekend if I promised to be carefull. Carefull’s my middle name! says I Then I got out before Bjorn could change his mind! Everyone left early to boot go figure. I had the whole place to myself. Had a nice long shower and did a load of laundry. Did some more cleaning on the boat. Then went for a drive around the Island. Did a bit more shopping . Can’t beat this sailing life for excitement and adventure. Returned and took something out of the freezer for dinner. Pork chop I just knew you were going to ask. Boiled new spud. Sliced carrots broccoli and fried onions and mushrooms .Why do they call a fungus after a dogsled training facility? Doesn’t matter because it was all good! Oh and for a snack I had Reindeer sausage and fresh shrimps. A Kilo for $7.00

Sat. I kind of just hung around doing odd bits and then on Sunday I drove into the centre of town found a free parking spot and walked with and through and around a huge crowd of gaily  dressed women and men made my way to the centre  of the main street and watched all the festivities. First the little kids paraded then the not so little then there were some different clubs then came the graduating high school kids and then the adults and then the dogs. I missed the adults and dogs because I was just too tired so I went home, poured an Aquavit  Skoled whoever and so ended the day.

the other side of the story

The other side of the story!

Greetings this is the bag AKA Red. You can call me whatever you like I’ve heard it all! I just want to tell you my side of the story. None of what has been said about me is true. I’m not big I’m a natural + size. It’s the way I was made some 5 or 6 years ago. Ever since buddy wat’s his name bought me I’ve been subjected to what might be called bag abuse. I’ve been stuffed to the point that zipper complained and refused to close unless I was sat on! Then I was tossed around thrown into dark and scary places dropped on to roller coasters Left out in the rain had hundreds of other bags dropped on me  etc etc.

All of the above just brings us to this trip. Now no bag should have to put up with being stuffed with 6 litres of alcohol 2 cans of bottom paint a bunch of electronics and books a whole lot of clothes a complete fleecy sheet set and some other stuff. Then because the stuffer is an idiot and refused to take the wheels I get blamed for being too heavy! I could have rebelled and opened a seam and let everything fall out or conspired with zip so stuff could get loose that way or shook when the nice security officer or the customs guy was there so they could here the bottles clink. But no I didn’t do any of that I just did my job above and beyond (pun intended) and I get  blamed for sore backs, hernia’s heart attacks and who knows what else? And now I’m just discarded and thrown in a dark moldy smelly space until I’m needed again Phooy I might just quit and let bozo carry his own stuff. Rant over.

The journey continues

Monday May11,2015

                So I’m up early again after a good nights rest. Jo Are is off to work so we say our goodbys and I promise to leave the key in the mailbox. Make myself a cup of tea check the emails twiddle my thumbs(this drives Sally dog sprayed by a skunk crazy) play some solitaire Check that I havn’t forgotten anything. Then?

Aud Marie arrives to drive me to the station. Isn’t she just perfect. So we boost the bag(the big bag ) into the car, there is some squeeling and groaning from the suspension I don’t know why it’s complaining it’s two bottles lighter. Anyhow it starts to bucket down rain so off we go and 5 minutes later we’re at the station. I use the machine buy my ticket to Oslo and we wait and we wait some more and then Aud goes and gets a couple of coffees and cinnamon buns. I forgot to tell you oh never mind you can guess what track it was. Then a S/B Tog arrives. You might ask and I might tell you what a tog is. It’s a train yippee even the right one on time and empty. Where should I sit, what side for the best scenery? I choose the West side upper seats. I lift giving myself a hernia the big back into the car, (railway coach) slide it in between my frontward looking and a backward looking seat and in so doing put may back out but the good thing was the hernia went away! Go squared away and then went back out to talk to Aud some more. Then toot toot whistle whistle, time to go last hugs and away I go waving madly out the window at my cousin waving madly in the window eventually get going fast enough that she can’t keep up so I sit down wondering when I’ll see them all again?

                Easy Peezy train ride in the rain but I get to look at water in Norway’s largest lake from which a Canadian Halifax bomber was raised some years ago and brought back to Trenton Ontario where it was completely restored to flying condition and there it is today for anyone to go and see.

                One hour and 50 minutes later I arrive at Gardemon LuftHavn  Drag the big bag off find a cart right there! Whooppee load it up and take a leisurely stroll to the Lift rise 1 whole floor to the arrivals level. Then have to walk ½ way down the hall to the Departures lift. Ya I know why not have one lift servicing both arrivals and departures? I think it’s a government plot to make everyone exercise whether or not they want to. Get the bag checked in. go for a walk clear through security Go for another walk actually it was a journey. The other end of the terminal kind of journey. By the time I found my gate I was desperately in need of some sustenance so I found the quintestenal  Norwegian eatery. O”tooles. Had an O’toole burger and a Guiness. $35.00 later I got up and caught my plane.

                Would have been a very scenic trip except for heavy clouds so I’ll leave the scenery to you imagination. Two hours later we drop out of the clouds and land in Tromso international airport. Get the bag and a cart head outside find a cab. Take cab to Marina get out of cab at boat, pay cab, find ladder look up away up! Not a chance I’m getting the bag up there! Leave it on the ground. Climb up Open the tarp and cockpit is even messier than when we left! Theres tool, lights a refridgerator parts all over. Open the boat. Turn on some lights( It’s dark under the tarp). Where to start?

I take the last section of cover off which lets in a whole lot of daylight. (this time of the year that’s all you get is daylight! Tidy up inside make up the v berth  pour myself a rum and then deal with the bag. I’m pretty smart so I used the Outboard motor crane. And way hay up it rises but not all the way(insert bad word(s) of your choice here). Soooo one more time I lift it over the push pit place it gently onto a cockpit seat and the empty the (insert bad word(s) of your choice here) It’s simply amazing after taking out two liters of bottom paint 3 litres of hooch 2 gps’s 1 AIS some clothes and one set of fleece sheets I look behind walls and inside stuff video camera and some books how light it became! It was so light I could pick it up with two fingers and then throw it as far back in the ¼ berth as it would go not to be seen or used again until the fall!

Confirmation day!

Confirmation Day

Sat. May 09 2015.

Up early Tea and breakfast . Shirt and tie day.  1000 we’re underway Joe-Are driving me in the front seat Brage in the back Just where every 14 year old belongs! Drive past the Kirke. It’s full! Actually it was the first group confirmation of the day! Frida not scheduled until 1230. Went and picked up Hildi and then back to the church had to stop on the highway while all the first bunch left so we could get a place to park. Eventually we did and it was even in the yard close to the Kirke! Walked around met all the rest of the cousins, filed into the Kirke found a row of seats. Sat down and looked around. The church is wood and was constructed in the 17 hundreds no one was really sure when but 1700’s sometime.  A Cross shaped with a painted Pulpit and the part which name escapes me at the moment in the front of the church also painted with a scene out of the bible. No I don’t know which on It was in Norwegian!

                Music then the doors sprung open and the candidates walked in. All the girls wearing the traditional costumes of the different districts. Some of the boys to and some in suits. Oh did I mention all my female cousins were wearing theirs to and most of the other women were also. A riot of colour and silver and sparkly jewels.

                The ceremony started with a prayer, then a hym  I knew the tune but couldn’t remember the words so I just hummed along. Then their were two girls from the choir who sang a couple of songs while the priest was confirming  the candidates. Another couple of prayers a collection. Which they do different from us. Everyone gets up and walks to the front of the church and deposits their cash,envelopes etc in the plate. I think this is the way they can tell who the cheapskates are! Just guessing though.  It all ended the bells rang the newly confirmed paraded out all looking a little embarrassed and shy Oh and it was gorgeous bright warm sunny day to boot! Think the big guy was pleased! Took some pictures of the crowds a couple of grave stones of Lien’s  and a standing rune stone.

                Piled back into the bile and off we went bypassing hell to a mountain resort where we had a feast!  Traditional with meat balls salad potatoes carrots pork cutlet water and fruit juices to drink and it just kept coming! Then there were some speeches of welcome from Frida’s dad a slide show some songs a speech from Mari-Anne. Aldene played a couple of tunes on the accordion. She’s only been playing for about a month and did a great job! The deserts arrived on the desert table all home made! Stuffed with cream cakes rice puddings ordinary cakes fruit cheese cakes and coffee. Then we all went home.

Sun. May 10 2015.

Slept in until 0730. Oh boy!! It’s tough when it doesn’t get dark! Up had bacon and eggs for breaky and then the big decision for the day? What to do? The country shuts down on Sundays so not much choice. We decided on the rad museum! I know your all wondering what the, is a road museum?

A road museum at least one n Lillehammer is a museum dedicated to the building of roads from the earliest which were sea roads to the modern paved super highways. (In Norway the super highway is a two lane road with a divider.) and everything in between. Lots of exibits of machinery old cars and Motor cycles and there were a couple of old Volvos in the parking lot, two red 1965 544’s just like I had back in the day.  Lots of graders dozers diggers and assorted. A really interesting day and my cousin Oleg, her husband Od and daughter Ragna joined us which made it even more fun. On the way home we stopped in at Aud Maries. And finagled an invite for dinner. Then home as tomorrow May 11 I’m off to Tromso!

What happens part2

What happens part 2!

So had a good nights sleep. Borrowed Aud Marie’s bil and headed off all on my own with no directions for North Berg. (My cousin Marie Anne’s farm). Made it on memory alone! Not bad if I do say so myself!! Had a wonderful  visit just the two of us and a dictionary and slow talking! Was well fed as usual. I left and returned to Faberg without any problems. Had more visits with Aud’s family ( A little stressed over the upcoming Konfirmation! Aud showed me an article in the local paper about a Norwegian from Lillehammer who died in Churchill when my father was there and just before I and my mother and sister arrived. Aud phoned the newspaper found out the author still had a place in Lillehammer! I sent him an email and we agreed to meet on Fri.

Thurs. Up bright and early. Knut picked me up at noonish and off we went to Gausdal to visit Arnefin.  Arne fin is the only other male cousin of my generation and isI deaf as a result of a canon going off when he was standing beside it in Egypt during the Suez crisis in the late 50’s? So we can actually have quite a nice time together and the odd time we needed translating Knute was there! It was really a pleasure this year to visit one on one as it was much much easier on all of us I think! Learned a whole lot more about my dad, tying some lose ends together. Got back to the house just in time to be picked up by Jo- Are. (Marie-Anne’s son) and my new landlord! So said my farewells and see you laters and I moved.

Fri. Up early again. Jo- Are off to work and Brage off to school and I’m going to have a visitor! Imagine that. Here I am in a foreign Country and I’m going to have a vsitor! 1130 sharpe knock knock  I open the door and there stands a total stranger! Knut. Not my cousin Knut but the journalist Knut. Invite him in what the heck it’s not my house. Offer kafe accepted. We sit down, Non stop talking, picture viewing and wow the time has just flown. Knut offers to give me a ride into town as he has to do some shopping. Awa we go and he decides he wants to show me his cabin. That’s Ok  I know he’s married! We drive to the south end of town and then wind our way up the mountain and up a bush road and wyola  the top of the valley! His view is from the S/E looking N/W over the town the lake and river and up the Gausdal valley! Stupendous!! Probably worth 2 million Canadian! I get dropped in town wander around and the drop into the tourist shop and surprise the bejeebus  out of my cousin Karin. Short visit as she is working. Calls her sister Silvi who comes by picks me up takes me to their home feeds me Karin comes for lunch and one thing leads to another and I’m there for 2 ½ hours I’m shown a letter from my Uncle Christian to his sister Christine (Karin and Silvi’s Grand mother) sent from Sachenhausen concentration camp. Had a shiver go up my spine. Made a copy.Went to visit my cousin Anne Helen (Karin and Silvi's mother) who is in a nursing home. A nice visit and I think she remembered me. Got a ride home. Had dinner watched some idiot TV in between talking to Jo-Are. Went to bed.Slept like a brick!

tried to download some pictures but really really really slow so use your imaginations

What happens in Lillehammer stays in Lillehammer!

May16,2015

What happens in Lillehammer stays in Lillehammer!

Just kidding! The train ride was uneventful didn’t have a window seat  so amused myself  trying to connect to the train wifi. Since the whole trip only took an hour and 50 minutes to travel about 135 miles or around 200+ kilometers there wasn’t enough time for me to figure it all out. I arrived at the station humped my excess luggage off the train and into the station and who did I spy? No one! Bummer!! So went out into the rain and there walking towards me was my favorite cousin Knut. He had a big welcoming grin on his face. Almost like he knew something I didn’t. After hugs and kisses. Well not really we just shook hands. We were in a public place after all. We tossed the stuff into the back of the 4x4 and off we went.

Knut had an hour before he had to go back to work. (He drives a municipal bus) so we went to a mall. Yup even here they have them, no tims though. Had a kafe  and a sticky bun and was invited to ride along with him when he picked up all the public school kids. Thought about it for a nano second and no thanks I’d like to go for a walk about town as I was a little stiff. From sitting not drinking as it’s too expensive to drink here unless you smuggle in your own personal choice of beverage. So we agreed to meet at 4ish at the station. He went his way and I went mine on foot,in the rain down the main street from one end to the other. Too wet so I headed to Knikkers just up the road from the Flamingo lounge.(made famous in the series Lillehammer). Had myself an Elgburger and draft while sitting next to a cozy warm fire. In a fire place not the building burning down.

Left knikkers( named after the underwear not the golf pants) after a while and made my way back to the Railway Station. On my way I received a telephone call! It was my favourite cousin Knut. Wonderring where I was? I looked around and realized I was in a tunnel! Not as bad as you might think. It was the tunnel to the station. I exited said tunnel and walked briskly  towards the car park and there was Knut. Jumped into the vehicle and off we went to my other favourite cousin Aud Marie’s house(700 years old) the house not my cousin! We actually followed her down the road and realized it was she when we all drove into the same driveway. More hugs and kisses. Then we boosted my stuff into the house, dropped it just inside the front door. And had a kafe.

Next to arrive was Frida then Odleif and finally Aldene arrived home. So the whole family was all in one place at one time. Actually only this one part. We had a bite of dinner and then piled into the family car and off we went to watch Aldene play football in the rain and cold!(actually soccer as opposed to football as we know it. Unfortunately her team was defeated through no fault of her own.

After the game we all went home and had a before bed meal! I had forgotten this part. I ate sparingly and trundled off to my old room for a good nights rest.

  

Hyggen and Beyond

Hyggen and beyond.

                So Lille guy came for a visit. The next day I had to leave.  I had to get up early as every one but me and Oivin had to go to work.  So woke up to rain as forcast. Don’t you hate it when the weather man is right about a not nice day! Oivin drove me to the station and helped me with the big bag. Used the machine at the top of the ramp to buy the ticket to Lillehammer direct. Standing on the platform waiting patiently. Oivin has left. I look at the notice board ten minutes before the train arrives. As I’m looking around I notice all the other passengers are looking a little worried. I look at the notice board again… Train cancelled no further information. OH %$#$% now what? I ask a pretty girl what now? “We have to catch another train,The one over there, pointing three tracks over! So lift all my stuff and huff and puff up the ramp across the bridge down the ramp,,,,,,,,,,Catch my breath, No the heart’s Ok I can feel it  banging against the inside of my breast bone! See the conductor, ask if this train is going to Lillehammer? Get blank look, Ask again Nope says he it’s the local all stop to Lillestrom. Well not so bad it’s on my way. “Can I change trains somewhere” “Ya” says he. “Where” says Jeg. “At Gardemon” So  I get on board find an empty seat and collapse onto it. The door hisses shut and Mournfull whistle we’re on our way.

                We arrive at Gardemon 15 minutes late so not so bad I figured I had missed my train anyway and would have time to figure out how I was going to notify Knut that I wasn’t’ on the train I was supposed to be. I don’t think any of my cousins really worry about me,they just figure I’ll screwup, get lost or arrive someplace I shouldn’t and they would just deal with it and chalk it up to a North American. Haa, I understand just enough Norsk  to be happy I’m not from other little bit of the continent just to the South of us!

 Back to the train trip Jeg get off at Gardemon. Not so bad there is a free cart right by the door, I grab it just before a little old lady. I need it more and it’s survival of the fittest. Load my stuff and notice another train 3 tracks over. (every *(&^%$(train is 3 tracks over ) I just don’t understand it? I ask one of the railway girls where it’s going? You guessed it Lillehammer and it’s leaving now! No it aint that’s my train and it’s not going without me! Good thing I’ve got a cart , Race to the moving up ramp get jammed up the big bag is too big rethink run up the regular ramp. Survive that, Just barely! Rush through the going to work crowd hit the down ramp totally out of control (remember the big bag is BIG and heavy) Ha the train is still here! Get sent towards the last car. I can barely see it way off in the distance. Marathon runners have nothing on me. I get up to 5^th gear find the right car jump a board the door hisses shut the train lurches foreward I don’t fall down throw the bag up onto a rack(should have just thrown it out the door but it had the duty free in it!) find a seat I think is front wards (it isn’t) collapse into it get medical attention for a heart attack. Enjoy the ride to Lillehammer.         

A new cousin arrives

So after the wonder full day of travelling and a good nights sleep. I check my emails and facebook page and low and behold there is a new person in the world. Which leads to the question? How many generations does one go through before your not cousins? So here we go. Marrit was my 1^st cousin. She with the help of her Husband Bjorn had two boys. Matts(the oldest) and Bjornar the (youngest) sounds like the beginning of a saga or TV show! Any how Matts met Anne not my cousin another Anne. And they got along so well they decided to cohabitate. One thing led to another and as so happens they have a daughter Anne.  That’s OK time goes by and low and behold a son is born on May 2 2015. Everyone overjoyed with happiness including me by the way. I congrats the new parents on facebook  with the wish I might get to see the little guy, I was going to say little bugger but didn’t want him to start with a complex!  Well Matts and Anne liked me so much they escaped from the Hospital and drove to Hyggen just so I could see the little guy. I mean little, his eye’s weren’t  open yet!  But he had more hair then I’ve ever had! Everybody got to hold him not that he cared but it is conditioning when the parents need a break! So after Maritt  and Matts is the little guy, a cousin a first three times removed, or a second once removed ? Or does anyone really care cause he’s cute?

The start of a new season 2015

The 2015 Further Adventures of Kalinka1

Greetings or should I say god dag fra nie sa sol  Norge.

Raining big cats and bigger dogs down low and probably snow above the clouds and it’s May 5!

I started this year on April 29 in Toronto by being driven to and kicked out at Pearson International airport in Malton Ont.

I entered the terminal and proceeded to line up in the check in line for Iceland air. Little did I know that I’d be there for the next 3.5 hours! The computer system was down and we waited and waited as they tried unsuccessfully to fix it. So they decided to check us all in manually! I eventually got checked in then had to hot foot it to the gate and horror of horrors no time for duty free! And they had changed my seat! I did manage to stay well behaved though and actually got the window at the wing exit row so able to stretch out!

Away we went only 1 ½ hours late. Easy five hour flight to Iceland. Supposed to hold the connector for us but and a big but it was it took off just as I got to the gate! Now I really wasn’t happy! Sent to customer service desk booked on a later flight with  SAS and given a food voucher only good for the cheapest thing on the menue! Had Scrambled eggs and ½ pound of bacon so not so bad but would have been more satisfying to strangle somebody!

Made it Oslo you get Duty free when you get off the plane so quite good. Missed the train! Catched the next one an hour and a half later. Supposed to stop in Royken but doesn’t so going to Drammen whether I want to or not! Call cousin on phone. New arrangements Anne will meet me there. Get off train two medium bags and one honkin big one with boat stuff, duty free and extra’s weight ¼ ton. Of course the train stops on the platform the furthest away from the station and exit. So off I stagger Just about up the ramp and out and the phone rings! Put everything down find the phone answer it, Anne wants to know where I am. Did I miss that train too? I caught my breath told her I was there somewhere and coming up a ramp. Wow kazam there she was just around the corner. Magic I tell you just magic. Loaded my stuff into her car broke the suspention and  I relaxed as I was driven to my new home for 4 days.