Norway in the Summertime

Moss, Alby, Son and (and daughter)

After the longest, hardest year of my life after losing my mom, I desperately needed to be surrounded by family and friends. First I flew back to Texas to take care of some business and to see my sister and family.  I think we were so busy I did not even get any photos!  A visit with some of my college sorority sisters was good for my soul!  We laughed and laughed.  Sorted through some of mom's old photos...

 Mom being the consummate mom--she enjoyed being a mother and put her whole heart and soul into it.  This is her with my brother and I.  This furniture is trendy again! I think we called it "Danish modern" back in the day instead of "Mid Century modern, though!"

I love this photo of my dad and brother.  Dad was an Air Force pilot and flew KC-135 refuelers.  Bless my mom for putting up with giant photos of them as wall decor, though!  I wish I had one with my sister, but she came along 5 years later and the third child never gets as many photos--I guess the parents are so busy.

I splurged a little on the trip back to Moscow and flew business class.  What a difference getting some sleep on that overnight flight makes!

Preflight champagne?  Don't mind if I do!

I was bummed to find out I had a ten hour layover in England, until I found out I could spend the day with my friends Graeme and Christine.  We had a nice pub lunch followed by a Summer Fete.  Great day out in England and wonderful treat to see them!

 Cider at the "Smallest Pub in England" on Platform 3 in Claygate.

At the fete.

A great stopover, and then back to Moscow for a few days.  My cat was glad to see me!  And then the trip I had been so looking forward to....Norway!  I flew into Oslo and spent three days visiting with some lovely friends in Moss.  Grete and her family were my dear friends when I lived in England (and still are). I taught her son, David who is my Godchild.

 The amazing and wonderful Grete Woman and Kjell

 I recognize this cabinet!  And one candle for every family member.

 Grete and Kjell grow beautiful flowers.  Grete's artistic touches even extend to her salads!

We took a little drive to Son (pronounced "Soon") one day--a lovely old harbor town.  The day was wet but not our spirits.  "There is no bad weather in Norway, just bad clothes!"  We followed up Son with lunch at a cafe in Moss.  Grete looked at me like I was crazy when I started shouting, "Eric!  Eric!" but actually I had just seen one of my old students from Moscow, coming to eat at the same cafe!  It's a small world, after all.

Beautiful downtown Son

The next day we went to Alby.  We took a nice walk through the forest to a pebble beach on the Oslo Fjord.  There is an old stately home that has been turned into a modern art gallery (Gallery 15) in Alby.  I had a gorgeous salad there!

 Found my souvenir! 

 This was an unusual plant--it is seperate little berries, not a blackberry.

Awesome salad with Norwegian shrimp and pickled red onion!

Grete had a little party while I was there, and I finally got to meet Grete's other children, Glen and Jacqueline.  I felt like I already knew them from hearing so many stories about them over the years!

Grete will probably kill me for posting this picture on the internet but I love it.  She has had more than a few hard knocks in her life, but she has an indomitable spirit and somehow manages to find the humor in life (and stick her tongue out at it!).

My soul restored, I set off for Svalbard and the Arctic Circle.