June 23, 2006

We were picked up by Sigurd and attended a barbeque in Sylling, Norway home of Grethe and Sigurd Sylling. The barbeque was at Svangstrand Beach along Lake Holstjorden. Almost all of the villagers attend this barbeque each year.

The barbeque is held each year on Mid Summer’s Eve, which is the Friday after June 21st. A symbolic witch is burned after sundown to ensure the villagers experience peace, prosperity and good fortune in the year ahead. Every year a witch must be burned to carry on this tradition.

Grethe’s friend Siri Svere (The Politician) visited with us and gave us some local political insight.

Sigurd served us Moose steaks from the Moose he shot last winter. The steaks were as good as any Filet Mignon that I have tasted. We also had hot dogs served the Norwegian way with Loompa (flat potato bread). The hot dog is served with catsup or mustard and rolled up in the Loompa.

After we burned the witch at the stake Ole Myhrene from the Rotary Club of Lier Øst took us to his strawberry fields to sample some Norwegian strawberries, which are the best there is. I sampled a good many and it is a good thing I am not a strawberry picker as I would eat far more than I would put in the basket. The Rotary Club of Lier Øst is the club, which sponsored Grethe on her GSE trip here.

June 24, 2006

In the morning Svein and Martha Aamondt picked us up and took us to the Folk Museum and a countryside ride.

At noon Sigurd and Grethe picked us up and took us to Holmekollen Ski Jump and Bærums Verk. Bærums Verk is an old iron works, circa 1610 AD that made all sorts of heating stoves. Now it is just shops with all kinds of arts and crafts. We enjoyed a Norwegian pancake with strawberries and ice cream, which was delicious.

June 25, 2006

Mid morning we were honored with a visit from Per Anders Skuan who was one of my host families whilst I was in Norway during our GSE trip two years ago.

At noon Henri Jaquet, one of our guides during the GSE trip, picked us up. Henri took us to see a film about Norway then to Robert and Elisabeth Robertsen’s home for a nice snack and a drink. After hearing how much I enjoy Norwegian sardines Robert went in the house and got me a can of King Oscar sardines, which I devoured, with gusto. The Robertsen’s were one of the host families in 2004.

Following our little snack we went to the Sonja Henning Museum, a short walk along the fiord, a countryside drive and a visit to the Robertsen’s church, which is quite old.
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After the museum trip we returned to the Robertsen’s home for a delicious dinner consisting of Broccoli Soup followed by salmon, ham, salad and strawberries with ice cream. A special extra dessert was a delicious cake baked by Elisabeth. Of course both red and white wines accompanied the meal.

After dinner we had a wonderful time discussing all sorts of things and our solution to world problems.

Marty learned that Elisabeth would become the president of Akersborg Rotary Club on July 1st and presented her with his president’s pin which would only be good for another few days. Elisabeth was really pleased with the gesture. Akersborg was one of the clubs that we made our GSE presentation to in 2004.

After a very enjoyable day we were returned to our hotel to pack for the trip home the next morning.

I don’t think I left anything out, but if I did I hope I will be forgiven since so much took place in such a short period of time.