Penelope's blog: January 2013

The table ready for Christmas dinner

The ski jump at Holmenkollen

A beautiful day at Baerum

baerumsverk.no

A traditional Norwegian breakfast- yummy waffles with sour cream and homemade white currant jam

It's a while since I've blogged and with the new school term about to start (I should really be doing school work, but that OFSTED report can wait awhile- blogging is much more fun) I feel this will be the only time I have to update it for a while- at least until half term in February, when hopefully I'll be writing about a new adventure...

My last trip was to Holland (see Amsterdam blog entry) and from there I took a flight straight to Oslo, where my good friend Claire lives. We were long overdue a catch up as when she was in the UK over the summer, I was dashing off to the Olympics so we didn't see each other much. Claire lives on the edge of the city at Osteras and I've visited many times before. It was a late night arrival and seemed ridiculously cold (well below zero) after the warm autumnal weather in Amsterdam. But it was a little early for snow.

I don't feel I have to rush around when in Oslo. We spent time chilling out, doing local walks and catching up. We had a day out and lunch with friends (Minnie, Dominique and baby Olivier) and a wonderful nearby craft village and former ironworks called Baerums Verk (see photos and link added) and I took Claire's son Linus for a day out to Holmenkollen which is where the famous ski jump is and a spectacular train ride from the city centre. In addition to being a residential area (a very expensive place to live with stunning views) it has been a ski recreation area since the late 19th century. I was there a couple of years previously when the Nordic ski Championships were being held. Linus and I did a walk and had 'varm sjokolade med boller' (hot choc and buns) at our favourite cafe. We were spoiled with homemade pizzas and a Danish dessert of 'kammerjunkere med koldskal' (like cookies and cream). One of the best things about travelling is the eating I always think...

Friends Claire and Minnie

Christmas for me was special this year having spent last years festivities in Australia. Claire and Linus were over here this time. It's a time for family and enjoying the build up and holidays. I was fortunate enough to experience not one but two Christmas markets (Birmingham and Manchester) and we did lots of family things over the hols, including seeing the Hobbit, panto at Nottingham Playhouse (Robin Hood too- the perfect Nottingham panto) , singing carols around Waingroves village and a lovely carol concert by candlelight at mum's local church at Cross Hill. Christmas Day itself was at my house with immediate family, Oscar at two being able to really enjoy and understand more about it this year. Although he had taken a dislike to santa, apparently...

So, onto New Year. My friend Zoe invited me to spend New year up in Scotland so a few days before, I made the journey via train from Derby to Aberdeen (just over 7 hours) and from there a couple more on to Elgin. Zoe teaches and is a HM at Gordonstoun school and the site is magnificent. On the coast and an hour away from the Cairngorms, it is in a great location for students for whom outdoor education is a primary focus. It is the school where prince Charles and other royals have attended and has a very prestigious history (see link). I love spending time up here. We did coastal walks and had a day in Aviemore as well as a party at Duffus House (on the Gordonstoun site) to see in the New Year, bagpipes, cocktails and sparklers included. It was a welcome break after a busy festive season and I returned feeling re energised for the new year ahead. Thanks to my perfect hosts, Zoe and Alex Sills.

Happy New Year to you all.