Norwegian

Skype Video and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

2011-10-08T15:30:00.000+02:00

I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, and one problem I had was to get video calling with Skype to work.
I understand from the web that I am not the only one.

Here is the Guide (click photos to enlarge):

1. You need Skype version 2.5 or higher. If you do not have it go to Android Market and install - or update. You will probably have to be logged into Market to get it.

2. When Skype is started press the menu bar (three lines stacked) at the bottom of your Galaxy screen.

3. Press "Settings".

4. Scroll down and check "Enable video calling".

Enjoy!

Laying stones

2011-07-31T16:56:00.000+02:00

This is me. I have been making a stone driveway over the last weeks (in between work and rain showers) and this is what I look like after cutting stones.

I finished a couple of days ago, and I believe it looks really good. How good I will know next spring after winter has done its work.

Tragedy in Oslo

2011-07-23T09:25:00.000+02:00

I am at home and were going to post some photos from our trip to Italy and France but the recent events in Oslo and at Utøya makes holiday photos and joy somewhat inappropriate.

As this is written more than 91 people are confirmed killed by a madman. They are still searching for more victims.

My thoughts and condolences go out to all of those being affected by this tragedy!

Back home

2011-07-01T13:39:00.002+02:00

Finally back home – it shall be good having some days at home before it is off to work again!

It is so nice sleeping in our own bed again! I can open the window and listen to birds outside – no traffic! Staying in a city apartment has its drawbacks.

Summer Vacation 2011

2011-06-24T23:08:00.000+02:00

Saturday we flew down to Rome where we rented a car. We spent two days in Rome and then drove up through Tuscany and the Italian Riviera.

Rome

Pisa

Manarola

We left the car at the French border and took a train to Nice where we arrived the day before yesterday.

We are now in the Nice apartment where we plan to stay until Wednesday.
Lazy days in beautiful weather.

Tomorrow we plan on going to Monaco.

Will post more photos when I get home...

Logmyblog

2011-06-09T10:42:00.000+02:00

A new layout available from Blogger!

Try typing www.logmyblog.com/view/flipcard#!/

Up to the right you can change to different views; mosaic, flipcard, sidebar, snapshot, timeline.

Prince Rogers Nelson - Oslo 2011-07-24

2011-06-09T10:29:00.000+02:00

Tickets to Prince! Yoooha!!!

But more than USD 270 per ticket? Crazy!

Only three artists I ever pay that much for - Prince is one of them!

Thailand April 2011 - Bangkok and Koh Samet Songkran Celebration

2011-05-08T14:55:00.000+02:00

A long post this time with a lot of photos. For this years spring vacation we went to Thailand. It has been 3,5 year since K and I last visited, and it was nice to come back! This was also the first time for Caio and Daniela to visit Asia.

On the boat to Koh Samet.

Thai Airlines has started a direct flight from Oslo to Bangkok, but unfortunately it was fully booked the day we went, so we had to travel via Stockholm. Here you can see Kristine posing in the departure gate - unaware of the funny Swedes behind her!

Not first class - but the best company!

The kids at their room at the Rembrandt Hotel.

The plane landed at 6 a.m. so we went straight to the hotel from the airport. Then some swimming in the hotel pool - and then three hour of sleep before we woke up ready to explore the city.

Daniela at our room.

We got to use the Skytrain, the sub, taxis, pickup, busses, the new airport train, boats and our feet during our stay. The Tuk Tuk however we refrained from using as I do not consider it safe!

Bangkok street.

During our stay we had the pleasure of experiencing the Songkran Celebration. It is Thai New Year - lasts for three days and is mainly a huge water fight. People stand on all corners and pour water on bypassers. In addition they use some kind of talcum and clay which they smear on each other and everyone around. All electronics had to be hidden in plastic bags. Above is the result of passing the first street corner leaving the hotel.

Kristine

Caio

Kristine by a water channel.

A lot of good food!

I think the philosophy is one wire for each electrical appliance.

Daniela by the river.

Me and Daniela.

Kristine

Me and Caio.

The family. Luisa could not join us this time due to school.

Here we are on a water bus up along the river. They will try to sell you expensive trips for many thousand Baths, but you can get a nice river "cruise" for only a few cents (14 Bath).

View from the boat.

This is taken from outside the Grand palace. It was closed when we passed it in the evening.

One of the entrances to the Grand Palace.

Daniela and Kristine.

Kristine

I usually prefer to avoid the tourist main stream and go with the locals. Here we are watching a show with dancing, singing and storytelling in Thai.

This is the Reclining Buddha. It is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. It rests inside a building at Wat Pho - the largest Temple in town.

The feet are decorated with mother-of-pearl.

They consist of 108 lakshana that depict the true Buddha, and supposedly bring luck!

There are some old fortune tellers at the temple. Here they are doing Danielas horoscope and reading her hand.

This is her fortune. She will live long and prosper. She will be very happy. She should preferably live by the sea. All she has to do is avoid her native Brazil. At the age of 79 she will become very rich! Daniela commented that it must be the year she inherits me! :-)

In the background there is a Buddha. In the foundation there is the ashes of King Rama I.

There are over 1000 Buddha images in the compound.

Details...

I do not know why some of the Buddhas are not golden.

Detail of the base.

Daniela, Caio and Kristine.

Doorways.

Window.

Beside from throwing water Songkran is the time to visit family and pray. Here Thais line up to clean Buddhas as they say a prayer. There are long lines and small Buddha figures for every occasion.

SONGKRAN

People as far as the eye can see. (Click to enlarge)

Lumpini Park. The largest park in town. Nice and quiet.

In front of King Rama VI

Caio and me.

Kristine by night.

All bags 199 Bath = 6.5 US$

This time we took a bus down to Koh Samet. We have tried different transportation. The easiest is to take a Taxi from the airport (around 2000 Bath) for the 3 hour trip down to Ban Phe from where the ferries take you over to Koh Samet. The bus is almost just as good. It leaves from Ekkamai - The Eastern Bus Station, and I believe the fare was around 150 Bath one way. What I do not recommend is a minivan. We tried it once. It was supposed to pick us up at the hotel in the morning and then drive us down to Ban Phe. And so it did - except for it driving back and forth in the city for almost two hours to pick up tourists from different hotels.

On the ferry leaving Ban Phe behind.

The boat trip takes 30-45 minutes depending on which port you are aiming for. It is also possible to rent a speed boat - but I find the slow moving ferry much more pleasant!

Resting in the shadow. Note the green plastic bag to protect the camera from Songkran enthusiasts.

Daniela

Koh Samet.

The main pier.

A local taxi.

Breakfast view.

Waiting for Roti.

Roti! Thai pancakes - the best there is!!!

Relaxing after dinner.

Some kids have fire shows at the beach at night.

Yum!

The water is so warm that you do not notice walking into it.

Tom Yum with chicken - Thai style!

The rest of the gang enjoys watching me as I get more and more red.

Ferry boat captain.

At Vong Duan there is no pier so visitors are transported between the beach and the ferry in these little boats. Remember to take off your shoes!

Leaving Koh Samed!

Back in Bangkok as a tourist.

At the airport heading back to Oslo.

Thank you Thailand for another wonderful stay!

Last two weeks

2011-03-05T14:19:00.001+01:00

Stavanger last weekend: Luisa and Daniela.

Luisa, Daniela and me.

Popcorn and 3D.

Kristine with her school project on her head.

Veggie Pizza.

Kristine and I are in Oslo to get her a prom dress. Here we are eating Burgers at TGI Friday's.

Caio short hands.

Rognan in Winter

2011-02-28T13:40:00.000+01:00

Last Sunday evening we travelled to Rognan to visit my parents. The next day we did some sightseeing with Daniela. Beautiful day at a beautiful place! Here are some photos:

Daniela and Kristine down at the pier.

Daniela and I.

Horses.

Daniela.

Myself.

Saltdal Kommune.

Rock.

Winter Road 1.

Winter Road 2.

Don't you want to go skiing?

Storflåget.

Blueberry! Nothing tastes like berries from the North! The 24 hour daylight and temperatures in the summer gives them a unique flavor! My favorites are cloudberries – the gold of the mountain! These blueberries went extremely well with my father’s pancakes! Yummy!

Departures (おくりびと)

2011-01-31T13:26:00.000+01:00

I got up around 4 the other morning to get something to drink and switched on the TV for a few seconds. A movie channel was sending a film and I quickly got captured. A Japanese movie from 2008. I fell in love with the story and had tears in my eyes most of the time. Highly recommended!

Happy New Year 2011

2011-01-01T02:10:00.001+01:00

I wish each and one of you a Happy, Happy 2011!!!

Fireworks at midnight.

A person in the sky!

Marina, Danielas niece, is visiting from Brazil. I take on my 70s look!

Daniela.

Caio is in for a tickle!

Kristine.

Close to midnight.

Outside at midnight.

Kristine and me.

Kristine and Marina.

Happy New Year!

Caio and me.

More Fireworks.

Daniela and me.

a-ha - the final concert

2010-12-05T20:48:00.006+01:00

Last night we enjoyed the last concert with a-ha. This was their final farewell as a band.

I did not bring a camera – but took some video and photos with my cell.

I remember back in October 1984 when I first saw them on Norwegian TV. It was at a prime time Saturday show. Norway only had one TV channel back then so most of the Norwegian population watched their debut.

I then saw them live in Nashville in 1986 (18. Sept. – I Goggled it) at their Hunting High and Low World Tour.

Trivia about a-ha:

1986: Won 8 out of 11 MTV Awards during the MTV award show.

1991: Set a Guinness Book World Record by playing for the largest paying audience in the world: 198,000 people in Rio de Janeiro.

2010: Sold over 36 million albums worldwide since the start, plus more than 25 million singles.

2010: Dec 4^th – the final farewell.

THANK YOU a-ha!

A year has passed

2010-11-08T12:07:00.001+01:00

Ahh - How quickly a year passes! It is time to clean up this blog, and maybe post something new!

Mallorca

2009-11-03T12:49:00.019+01:00

Three weeks ago we went to Mallorca for a small vacation. Beneath are some photos in random order.

The Cathedral in Palma.

Here we are - arriving at the airport - except Kristine whom is taking the photo.

Mallorca (Majorca) is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea. It has a population of almost 800 000.

We stayed at Prinsotel.It is a nice hotel by the Alcudia bay next to the Albufera natural park.

We had rooms on the third floor facing the wetlands and could enjoy the sounds of hundreds of birds.

Kristine was a bookworm most of the trip. Here she is trying to hide book two of the Twilight-saga.

Me in Palma.

My daughter is soon outgrowing me.

In front of the Cathedral.

Me and Daniela.

Me and my love.

Luisa is browsing through her latest photos.

OK - I admit it - I am a sucker for Tex-mex.

In the evenings we could go bungee jumping.

More father and daughter.

At Plaza Major.

Overlooking Arta.

Daniela.

Daniela again.

Meu grande amor!

Kristine and Daniela. (Those little two in the middle.)

Kristine at Alcudia bay.

We rented a car when we got to the airport, and one day we drove out to Formentor. This is, I believe, the most scenic place on the island. This is a photo of the lighthouse.

Luisa is the creative photographer.

Kristine and me.

Kristine after a swim.

The Formentor Girls.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

Daniela in green.

Formentor scenery.

The roads.

One could tumble hundreds of feet down the cliffs.

One evening we drove to Alaro, a small village in the mountains not too far from Inca, to have dinner.

Luisa getting ready to order.

Me, me, me...

The sea outside Mallorca.

What are these two up to?

Me, Daniela and Luisa.

Lucky me - I get to be in two photos. :-) Me, Kristine and Daniela.

Into the sunset at a Palma street.

Luisa sends you off with a kiss!

Scandinavian

2009-10-02T20:38:00.002+02:00

Yesterday was a day of JOY! After having been a seperate unit in the SAS group for many years we finally merged back into the "real" SAS! And I could yesterday again use my beloved "Scandinavian" callsign on the radio! Happy times!

Rognan Ungdomsskole 1985

2009-09-17T22:19:00.002+02:00

An old scan of class 9C - 1985. I am in the upper left corner.

Time travel

2009-09-15T13:19:00.002+02:00

Tusenfryd

2009-09-15T13:03:00.004+02:00

Last weekend we went to Tusenfryd. It is an amusement park just South of Oslo.

K is up there. You can hear her enjoying it. I prefer to just watch!

Daniela.

Me.

K.

Luisa.

Sheriff Caio is finally letting us out of jail!

Roger Candycotton enjoys himself after the park has shut down.

Rollerblading

2009-09-08T11:34:00.002+02:00

Rollerblading with K. As you can see - I am well protected! :-)

Clara Elvira - I am an Uncle

2009-09-01T10:28:00.004+02:00

Thursday morning my sister gave birth to her first child - a beautiful young lady named Clara Elvira!

Sunday we drove down to visit them at the hospital.

Clara Elvira.

Look at those eyes!

Rakel and daughter.

Jo - the father.

K and Clara. Her first cousin.

K, Clara and Daniela

Daniela - my girlfriend! - and Clara.

Proud uncle!

More from Rome

2009-08-26T15:40:00.004+02:00

St. Peters is facing east so the morning sun shines directly at the entrance.

K and I got there a little before 7 a.m. We had read on the net that the entrance to the top of the dome opened then, and we wanted to beat the crowds. There were no lines and we could walk straight through security when we got there. We were by the staff and signs informed that the dome would open at 8 a.m. which left K and me an hour to explore the interior of the church. It was nice and cool in the morning, and almost no people present. Such a great church!

A little before 8 we lined up for the dome and the lines quickly build behind us. Time went - people started complaining as the sun started to take - and it was almost an hour later that they finally opened the gate. (Italians!) We were then almost first in line - and could see thousands of people behind us.

The climb to the top was well worth it!

Columns at the entrance.

View from the top of St. Peters.

Climbing to the top of the dome...

... and descending.

K inside the dome of St. Peters.

Mosaic detail. Amazing how they have managed to make all these large pictures with small stones.

St Peters grave.

Me.

Swiss guard.

The girls.

Panorama of the Trevi Fountain. (click to enlarge)

At the Spanish Steps

2009-08-26T15:32:00.003+02:00

K at the Spanish Steps.

Jen posing.

"Find Willy" at the Spanish Steps

Panorama from top of the Spanish steps. (Click to enlarge)

More photos from Rome

2009-08-26T15:02:00.005+02:00

The Pantheon - build around AD 118. The Roman temple of "all the Gods".

Some people are taller than others.

The Colosseum opened in AD 80.

One of the entrances.

Inside the Colosseum. It is strange to stand here when you imagine all the suffering that has taken place in front of you.

K and I.S. at the metro station closest to our apartment.

Seldom have I in public heard as many Sigh an Moan sounds as on this street! It has all the brand shops you can imagine and the girls swarm in front of the display windows.

Roman street.

The Italians love TV – but they are not so concerned about the quality of their signals. Each man has his own antenna and antenna cable swinging in the wind.

Throwing a coin into the fountain is said to ensure a safe return to Rome!

Rome, Italy

2009-08-10T12:53:00.009+02:00

I have rented an apartment in Rome, close to the Vatican, for a week. Have brought K, her friend, and Jennifer. We have been here since Thursday, so still a few days left.

The Colosseum.

Me on top of the Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps.

Roman Forum.

Crowd at the Trevi Fountain.

Trevi Fountain.

Low cost airline

2009-07-30T09:59:00.005+02:00

This is a great ad from Air New Zealand. We have the same low cost airlines operating in Norway, such as Ryanair and Norwegian, which adds a lot of extra fees upon the advertised original one.

www.saverjet.com

www.logmyblog.com

2009-07-24T18:10:00.001+02:00

As of yesterday I got a new domain name.

Beware of the bird

2009-07-19T15:52:00.006+02:00

My camera was out of function for some weeks after visiting Gran Canaria earlier this year.

We were visiting the Palmitos Park when a cockatoo elegantly picked off the outer ring of my camera lens.

Warning sign next to the bird cage. But what damage can small birds in a cage do?

Luckily the event was captured on video.

The sinner - photographed as the crime took place.

The damaged goods!

Work

2009-06-27T21:14:00.002+02:00

Today I have been to Jersey and Aaland. Up around 5 am, and the fourth long day in a row. Luckily tomorrow is a short day - but I still hit close to 47 hours this week. (Not counting time at hotels away from home.) A long time to spend in a cockpit without getting to move my body.

Yesterday, when we were walking through the gate to our next flight, an old man approached me. He introdused himself as a retired SAS captain, politely asking if there was any chance of him sitting with us on the observer's seat in the cockpit.
Of course we granted him this request. During our 1hr 10min flight to Bodø he told us some of the stories from his life. He had been in Narvik during the German invasion in 1940, and later escaped towards Finland. After the war he started flying for SAS - in 1947!!! He retired in 1982. The amazing part was how fit he still was. Not many men like him left!

The trip to Bodø was great weather-wise as well. Not a cloud on our way. Approaching Bodø we did some sightseeing among glaciers, valleys, fjords and mountains! We also saw a couple of F16 playing in between the mountains. Truly an amazing flight - I wish I could share the impressions with you!!

Star Trek - like coming home!

2009-05-08T21:03:00.004+02:00

I have just been to the premiere of Star Trek - the movie - and it felt like returning to the original series. And it felt good! Zachary Quinto IS Spock - with emotions! The return of Leonard Nimoy - so cool! All the characters are in place from the original series.
Not being a fan of the other series like "Next Generation", "Voyager", "Enterprise", etc - this makes me want more J.J. Abrams work!

Live long and prosper!

Vacation

2009-04-02T21:37:00.002+02:00

I am currently at Gran Canaria. I have rented a large apartment for two weeks, and brought Jen, K, my parents, and my sister with me.

Today I have been bathing in the sea at the Amadore Beach. (Not warm)

Will post photos when I get back home.

P.S. Easter burglars at home: Be aware - my house is larmed! (Plus nothing much to steal there anyway)

Paris

2009-03-23T21:52:00.006+01:00

Some photos from Paris last October:

Sacré-Cœur

People at the stairs of Sacré-Cœur, watching the sun set over Paris.

Panorama of Paris from Sacré-Cœur.

Eiffel Tower.

Streets of Montmartre.

Posters.

Wish I had a house on this street.

My room.

View from my room - Place de la République.

Alicante, Spain

2009-03-16T14:58:00.007+01:00

Pics from one of the trips to Alicante last fall:

City panorama taken from Santa Bárbara castle. (click to enlarge)

The top of the castle. It would have been much nicer if they removed all of the communication equipment.

Looking down at the beach and the crew hotel. Lovely warm water - I went for a swim after returning from the castle.

Hard to get the angle right - but this is what it looks like when one looks over the edge.

This is a photo from an earlier trip. Taken by a cell in the dark. It is from the Virgen del Remedio (Our Lady of Remedy)feast in August. She is the patron saint of Alicante City. I remember it most because there were A LOT of beautiful young ladies in front of the procession.

Russia

2009-03-15T14:44:00.006+01:00

Fall 2008, and I am in Russia for some days.

My ex-wife was born in Russia, and she is put to rest in her mothers home town - Vologda. This was a trip to meet family and visit her final resting place.

Denis and Julia picked me up at the Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow. It is a 450 km long drive North of Moscow to get to Vologda.

On the way we stop at a small kafê in Yaroslavl.

The interior.

Lenin is still on display in Vologda.

Karina and Natalia at lunch.

Karina at the town museum. Harry Potter cast!

Vologda 800 years 1147-1947.

The town is filled with churches. This bell is from 1685.

Natalia in front of a map of Vologda Oblast.

A typical town bus.

Inside a bus.

Tickets are cheap.

One day there was a lot of weddings in town. We passed many of the happy newlyweds. These invited us for champagne.

And they posed for a kiss.

One of the many churches downtown.

After a late evening barbeque. I am on the right.

Train ticket back to Moscow.

Berlin

2009-03-03T12:08:00.004+01:00

Just before school started this fall we went to Berlin for a few days. I have been visiting before - but not for many years. I always enjoy Berlin.

We arrived in the evening and the first thing we did after checking in at the hotel was to get a Kebab. Kristine is standing in front of Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche. It was bombed during WWII but the ruin has been kept as a memorial. In the background one can see the new church, build of concrete, steel and glass.

Me in front of the Victory column in Tiergarten. It was build to commemorate the Prusso-Danish war of 1864.

Brandenburger Tor.

Checkpoint Charlie.

Jewish Holocaust Memorial. It was not here last time I visited, and at first I thought it to be some kind of art work or playground.

The Reichstag building seen from the Holocaust Memorial.

The Reichtag seen from a camper on the lawn view.

No visit to Berlin is complete without a visit to KaDeWe. It is the largest department store in Europe. (Harrods is number two)

Inside the Sony Center.

Skyline.

Bright light.

Jen in front of "The Wall".

And K in front of the same.

Bugatti Veyron

2009-03-03T12:00:00.004+01:00

Close to Unter den Linden there is a showroom displaying the Bugatti Veyron.

What caught my attention was the fuel consumption: 40,4 liters per 100 km in town! You really need to have your gas stations planned out before you take this one out a Saturday night.

Tierpark Berlin

2009-03-03T11:31:00.004+01:00

Berlin has two big Zoos - Zoo Berlin and Tierpark Berlin. Zoo Berlin is in the middle of the city, and has the world's largest number of speices. Tierpark Berlin, a short train ride from the center, is Europe's largest landscape Zoo.

Having some problems with animals in confined spaces we elected to go to the large one where the animals at least have some space to roam around.
We spent the whole day here, but did not manage to see it all.

Something "Lost" about this photo.

Polar Bears enjoy watermelons.

Zoo map.

Hello!

From the monkey cage.

This one was just "laying around" in the gras by one of the small paths.

Jen and K.

Daughter

2009-03-03T09:44:00.002+01:00

Kristine is now so old that she can travel with me at work. Here she is with me at a layover at Gran Canaria.

K in front of grafitti.

The Retiro Park in Madrid

2009-03-02T21:11:00.004+01:00

The Retiro Park is my favorite place in Madrid. It is a large park with lakes, statues, and lots of small paths in between the trees.

This is what the park looked like after the big hailstorm the night before.

The book I was reading. One of my favorite authors - Swedish Jan Guillou.

The Crystal Palace.

Madrid weather

2009-03-02T21:06:00.001+01:00

One evening it started to rain and hail. Opening the window in my room let in hail like this one.

Jen & K

2009-03-02T21:01:00.003+01:00

On one trip I brought Jen and K with me.

Jen & K.

K is getting to play the Chinese sanxian(?) at Plaza Mayor.

Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid

2009-03-02T20:47:00.002+01:00

When in big cities I often search out botanical gardens, and parks. Shops are often the same in every city, and I find it nice to get away from the noise and stress of city life. Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid is close by Madrid's big park, Retiro, and is often overlooked by the public.

Beauties and beasts in Madrid

2009-03-02T20:43:00.002+01:00

To my knowledge only two of these people are SAS cabin crew. But all of them are very friendly!

Madrid Vision

2009-03-02T19:49:00.002+01:00

One day I took the tour bus to get an overview of the city.

Me on the bus.

I took the red line. The crew hotel is at stop 10.

Some of Madrid's tapas bars

2009-03-02T19:39:00.002+01:00

Taberna Maceiras.

Meson del Champinon.

El Tigre.

El Tigre interior

Madrid

2009-03-02T18:52:00.003+01:00

Last summer I had a lot of layovers in Madrid. Here are some photos from these trips:

Museo del Prado - known as one of the world's finest museums. It displays masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya, El Greco and many others.

A great piece of art - or nature. This wall changes as seasons go by.

Reflecting Church.

Kilómetro Cero on Puerto del Sol is the symbolic center of Spain, from where all distances are measured.

Kylie in Oslo

2009-03-02T10:07:00.002+01:00

The KylieX2008 Tour

Norsk Folkemuseum

2009-03-02T09:41:00.003+01:00

I have previously written from Norsk Folkemuseum here.

Last summer we had some of our Russian "family" with us, and I got so fascinated by this building. It is an apartment building from Oslo where they have recreated apartments from different ages from 1879 up until today. The photos below are from the 1965 apartment. It is so fun for me to look at it because I recognize so many of the same objects that I grew up with in the early 70's. I guess there were not so many different things to choose between then.

Gran Canaria

2009-02-18T13:51:00.002+01:00

A small getaway from Norway last winter. We stayed at the SAS Crew hotel. This is the view from our room.

Fallen sheeps. (It was windy that day.)

At the Sothernmost part of the island is a desert known as Maspalomas.

2009-02-18T13:43:00.002+01:00

From the Botanical Garden at Gran Canaria.

Alien flower.

Cactus snake.

Palm tree.

2007

2009-02-18T13:20:00.003+01:00

Halloween girl.

I wish I had some of K's hair.

Naive art category.

Pyramides

2009-02-15T12:22:00.002+01:00

The pyramides just outside Cairo. It was taken on Christmas day 2007 on my first flight to Hurgada, Egypt. Only one SAS flight in the air that day - and lucky me got the 13 hour trip back and forth.

Stockholm

2009-02-15T12:16:00.003+01:00

This is our aupair Jen. She has been with us for 16 months now.

2009-02-15T12:13:00.001+01:00

Harrods in London. I took this with my old 1.3mp cellphone before Christmas 2007. I kind of like the way it turned out!

Karl Johan Statue

2009-02-15T12:01:00.001+01:00

The Karl Johan statue placed in front of the Royal Castle in Oslo.

Saturday

2009-02-14T12:02:00.002+01:00

A beautiful day today.

We got a lot of snow last weekend, and then Monday morning we woke up to cold weather and a blue, sunny sky. The temperatures have been down to -24C (-11F) in the early mornings. Usually it gets a bit warmer during daytime.

I have been working a lot this week, and only been able to enjoy the snow-covered Norwegian landscape from above. I am off four days, so I hope it will stay like this for a while.

Overhead the Dolomites

2009-02-06T10:24:00.001+01:00

Patmos

2009-02-06T10:23:00.002+01:00

Flying to the Southern parts of Greece - or towards Egypt - takes us over the island of Patmos.

We went island hopping in Greece some years ago. Here I am at the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian. John the Apostle received his Revelation and wrote his Apocalypse in a cave just beneath this monastery. Patmos is large destination for Christian pilgrimage.

Rhodes

2009-02-06T10:21:00.004+01:00

Flying into Rhodes takes us over the medieval Old Town.

K in the sunset at Rhodes. She is 7 years in this photo.

40000 feet

2009-02-06T10:21:00.002+01:00

Passing overhead Paris. You can see the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.

Early morning at Gardermoen Airport

2009-02-05T14:23:00.002+01:00

Cows

2009-02-05T14:20:00.000+01:00

Close to where I live. Reminds me a little bit of the Windows XP desktop.

Saltdal

2009-02-05T11:32:00.003+01:00

Late september 2007, and we are travelling my homecounty, Saltdal, in beautiful weather.

Saksenvik.

My country.

This is taken where the Germans had prison/consentration camps during WWII. It looks so peaceful today.

Old farmhouse in Botn.

2009-02-05T11:25:00.001+01:00

MayC is still exploring Norway, and she is joining up.

I love the colors of fall.

Tangodden Lighthouse

Junkerdalsura.

2009-02-05T11:08:00.002+01:00

The old road to Junkerdal.

My parents and me. My dad is hunting moose, today near a drivable road, so we are stopping to say hello. I look amused over something above.

From Høgbakken.

This is Solvågtind. I think it looks a little like Matterhorn.

Hadeland Glassverk

2009-02-04T20:04:00.004+01:00

September 2007, and we are visiting Hadeland Glassverk.
They have a large glass factory, museum, gallery, and various shops. You can also make your own glass.

K is getting help from a professional blower.

It is starting to look like a vase.

Displaying our products.

Decorations.

Nutbags (Funny word)

Stine & Lars

2009-02-04T19:47:00.003+01:00

This is Stine and Lars.
Lars and I grew up as childhood friends. He is also working at SAS. Last summer we both bought ourselves new houses - next to each other. He and his girlfriend, Stine, are the best neighbours anyone could ask for.

This photo is taken in the fall of 2007. They are happy new parents to a little boy.

Their son, my Godchild, must be around two weeks old here. He is now joined by his one year younger sister.

Paper Star

2009-02-04T19:44:00.002+01:00

I have been told that I am missing 999 of these…

My Grandma - Inga

2009-02-04T19:19:00.003+01:00

My Grandma passed away before Christmas.
She had been gradually fading away over the last years. These are the last photos I have of her.

My Grandma's Place

2009-02-04T19:10:00.004+01:00

When I walked around my hometown I passed my Grandma's place.
It had been abandoned for many years as my Grandmother had moved to a home for the elderly.
She used to be so proud of her garden. It was filled with flowers of every kind.
Today it is only a place filled with memories.

2009-02-04T18:52:00.003+01:00

The nameplate on the door.

White flower

Hip

In the yard there is an old shed. I remember playing in it when I was a little kid.

Painting inside the shed. I believe it to be made by one of my uncle or aunts in the early 70's.

Rognan Ungdomsskole

2009-02-04T18:42:00.002+01:00

Rognan Ungdomsskole is the school I attended from 7-9th grade. I took these photos in the fall of 2007.
It is amazing how little has been done over the years to maintain it. The only difference I could spot was a new color. I believe it used to be brown. And it has been 22 years since I graduated.

School emblem

The backyard

Brick wall

I peeked in through the windows. It was the same interior as in 1985. And it was old then as well.

Slottsfjellet - MountainCastle

2009-02-04T14:39:00.007+01:00

My sister lives in Tønsberg. Just upside from her house is a small hill - or mountain if you like. There was an old fortress there, dating back a 1000 years. It was also the seat of Norwegian kings. Today it is only ruins, but in 1888 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of Tønsberg city they build a tower at the site.
Slottfjellet tower with K.

MayC was also with us on this trip.

July 2007

2009-02-04T13:53:00.005+01:00

The troll in Holmenkollen and me.

Down the road from our house. I must be glad to see someone.

Updates

2009-02-04T13:40:00.004+01:00

It has been almost one and a half year since I stopped writing this blog. It is time to update it and my photos a bit.

I shall dash out pictures from the last year as I find them.

Let's start with this one...

It is K, a week ago, on her way to her first school prom. She is in 7th grade and about to become a teenager. She is growing so fast...

Rest in Peace

2008-01-05T23:55:00.000+01:00

Elena Ness, 16 March 1977 - 05 January 2008

My beloved ex-wife and friend died of cancer today.

A few photos from Thailand

2007-09-03T19:30:00.000+02:00

Vong Duan Beach, Koh Samed.

Also this time we went to our belowed Koh Samet. As usual the camera remained in the cabin most of the time as we were in and out of the water all day long. But here are a few of the photos we took.

Boat ticket to Koh Samed

Fishing boats outside the main pier of Koh Samed

Gekko on the cabin wall

This "little" fellow was hiding in or under my shoes when I picked them up in the morning

Our Aztec/Asian inspierd sandcastle. Here being attaced by a dragon... (Dragon down to the left)

K

At dinner

Me

K again

Vong Duan Resort

K at the beach

Some of the friendly staff we got to know:

Boat schedule to Vong Duan

Copenhagen this summer

2007-08-27T19:57:00.000+02:00

Me

Nyhavn

Copenhagen Opera

Taking photos

Trekroner Fortress

Inside Trekroner

MayC

Waterbus map. We took the green line.

K and MayC

On my way up from the sub.

Windmill

"Want to try again?"

In front of The Little Mermaid

Inside the Royal Castle.

Frederik's Church

Cross light with timer. So smart!

From the Glypotek

On the roof of the Glypotek

Tivoli

K at Tivoli

Fish hoping for a treat. They were so smart. Whenever something moved above the water 5-10 fish would gather and open their mouths hoping that visitors would throw them something to eat.

MayC and K riding the "Vomiting Tea Cups"

K and I

Tivoli by night

Bush vs Rice

2007-08-27T10:39:00.000+02:00

Eidsvollbygningen 1814

2007-08-27T08:56:00.000+02:00

These photos are from the area around the Eidsvoll building were our constitution was signed in 1814. The uniforms are the same as they used at that time. We had K's friend C with us, and MayC from Thailand/Sweden/USA...

Summer

2007-08-18T11:28:00.000+02:00

Summer vacation is over. K started school on Thursday, and I start work tomorrow.

As usual the days just flew by. We have had visitors, and we have travelled a little bit. When I started my vacation it was still raining, like it has for most of the summer, so K and I jumped on a plane to Thailand where we went to Koh Samed.

Will post some photos later.

WOW

2007-08-18T11:27:00.000+02:00

Aishwarya Rai

Sun

2007-07-13T13:56:00.000+02:00

Finally the sun is back again! It has been raining for a long time now. Above is a picture of K taken a little while ago.

At Rognan

2007-06-30T14:12:00.000+02:00

Last week we visited Rognan.

K.

My sister, mother and me.

K again.

Midsummer fire taken with my cell. Me an K, and the little girl is H who I am Godfather of.

2007-06-30T14:11:00.000+02:00

From my garden.

Eidsvoll Bygdetun

2007-06-30T14:00:00.000+02:00

Almost a month ago we went to the season opening of "Bygdetunet". It is a collection of old houses and items from times long gone.

Below are some photos from that visit.

Old ladies making knitting wool.

Me

Me posing. ;-)

K.

A. almost got married.

Making bread.

Kulturskolen

2007-06-30T13:57:00.000+02:00

This is a photo from the end of K's Cultural-school performance this year. She is over at the right. Here they are singing - but she takes dance lessons in addition to playing the piano.

2007-06-30T13:53:00.000+02:00

Sand Jars

2007-06-30T13:42:00.000+02:00

Over the years we have been taking with us sand from different beaches we have visited.

A few weeks ago I painted and decorated some of the jars so that it easier to see from where the sand is.

This is a closeup of sand from Phi Phi Leh in Thailand, known from the movie "The Beach".

Anguis fragilis

2007-06-30T13:37:00.001+02:00

This is not a snake but a female lizard. In Norway it is known as "Stålorm". In English it is known as Slow-worm or Blindworm.

Coming from the Northern parts of Norway I am not familiar with snakes and its likes, but K and I found this one in the forest behind our house.

Volcanoes

2007-06-30T13:34:00.000+02:00

Lately I have been working a lot around the Mediterranean Sea. below are photos of Etna and Vesuv. The air is humid so it is difficult to get a clear shot.

Etna

2007-06-30T13:32:00.000+02:00

Vesuv

George Michael

2007-05-08T00:36:00.000+02:00

It's the middle of the night.

I am sitting listening to George Michael.

God, how I love his music!

Short update

2007-03-30T14:12:00.000+02:00

I have been at home for a few days.

K had her 11th birthdayparty on Monday. I got her a Wii this year after having read Simone’s recommendations. I have been testing it out playing Zelda the last mornings while K has been off to school.

Today I have been on the net all morning. Talking to friends, reading up on blogs and reading other newschannels.

I wish I could find a new favourite newspage. I have a whole bunch of them in my favourites, but I am getting tired of their never changing layouts. Give me something new! With real news! Not Anna Nicole and who slept with Paris last Tuesday!

Oh, and the weather is good! Snow all gone! Hurray!

Pre-Flight Check List

2007-03-24T13:37:00.000+01:00

Shakira in Oslo

2007-03-23T21:10:00.000+01:00

We went to see Shakira in concert two weeks ago.

Wow - she was like a rubber fireball all over the place!

If you have the chance I recommend going to one of her concerts.
Try to get close to the stage as her hips and moves are best viewed close up! :-)

Taken with my cell - just enjoy the colors!

2007-03-23T21:04:00.001+01:00

Music Video Codes By Music Jesus.com
Shakira - La Tortura Video

The same video with English subtitles - for Spanish impaired.

Ponderosa

2007-03-22T13:17:00.000+01:00

Ponderosa - where we had most of our breakfasts while in Orlando.

Cici's - just to compare with Norwegian prices. (Try multiplying by five and you get closer to what we would pay in Norway)

2007-03-22T13:07:00.000+01:00

Our hotel in Orlando: Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration.

K in one of the pools at the hotel.

RV

2007-03-22T13:01:00.000+01:00

This is the first time I've seen a RV towing a car.