Vacation hours were in full force again today…we awoke much later than planned (no comment on what exact time it was, other than to say I now have actual proof someone else snores as much as I allegedly do!).  First stop was to the Norwegian Olympic Training Center for ski jumping and cross country skiing.  We lucked into watching a practice ski jump session. So much fun! Wish I’d known the names of the jumpers so I knew who to cheer for in the next winter Olympics.

A quick visit to the University to see Best Man’s office and find the best ever invention…the robotic lawn mower. Um, seriously, do they sell these in the US?  I have found the ultimate Christmas gift for my other half if they do! Although I will put Bob the Gardner out of work if I indulge in it.  I obviously need to mull this over…

From there we went to the Kristiansen Festning (Trondheim fort) which was instrumental in the 30 Year War between Sweden and Norway, and also was a German stronghold in WW2.

The above photo is of “monk island” – the Norwegian Alcatraz.

Next stop of the day was bittersweet and made me feel Dad was “hovering near.” We went to Dora I, an integral part of the German submarine force in WW2. We couldn’t get close to the actual sea level entries, but the historical information posted in the area and sheer size of the place gave a hauntingly good picture of its use and importance in the war.  Being a submariner’s daughter, this was a very poignant stop. I could only imagine my father’s reaction to visiting it (if he hadn’t already during his visit to Norway in 1956-57 as a student at the Naval Academy), or knowing his daughter was visiting it. I am learning my knowledge of WW2 history is seriously lacking as what we were taught in school in the US was very watered down up until the our involvement via Pearl Harbor. I am now a sponge when it comes to what was happening in the rest of the world.

We then headed back into town to purhase shrimp, bread and mayonaisse for a traditional Norwegian meal.  If I had a seafood market even close to the caliber of this one I might consider giving up beef! (Mind you I said consider it, not that I actually would!) A wonderful meal shared with local friends who made the evening extra special and memorable.

And now it is past my bedtime as we are getting up early to explore the fjords tomorrow.

Oh, but one last photo – the very dapper man to show where the crosswalk is.  It was just today we noticed how dashing and proper looking he is in his  hat!  I will post a photo soon of the exit sign which never fails to bring a giggle to my other half.

We have clearly settled into vacation-mode. Vaguely heard our hosts up and about this morning, but neither of us stirred until 10:30AM. I suppose when you figure it was again about 1:30AM when we went to bed, we really didn’t sleep in too much. And we had that wonderful late night walk!

Today we ventured back to town to go to the post office to exchange USD for NOK and mail postcards. We wandered around a bit more and meandered through an outdoor market we saw being set up yesterday. Vendors were selling jewelry, knit goods, clothing, and local food. Lots of wonderful smells, sights and sounds.Even got to listen briefly to a polka band! If my father had been here he would have been dancing.

We picked AK up at work and got a tour of the hospital where she works. Lots of different artwork throughout, lots of glass letting in natural light, and all the buildings connected by enclosed walkways. (Especially useful in the winter!) The stairs in the hospital are numbered so you know exactly how many you have walked up (or down) and you don’t have to count as you go. Walking and cycling is very much encouraged…employees pay to park their cars if they drive to work. Part of the tour also included seeing two of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awards.

A stop at the grocery store was needed on the way home as the boys are cooking rice and curry tonight. And, my other half is very happy as he now has his Thai chilies to spice up his meals. He has quite a few to eat before we head to Italy!

The sun is shining, and we have appropriate beverages in hand. Time to relax and enjoy the sounds and aromas coming from the kitchen!

We had a lovely late supper of salad, cheese, flat breads, and today’s lunch leftovers. About 11:15PM we decided a walk around the lake with Luna (the dog) was in order. A serene, calm and relaxing 1.5 miles (give or take) which burned off the remaining unused calories of the day. We saw a blur of a deer as we neared the end of the loop. The watch photo is Anil’s arm, and his watch is generally 5 minutes fast. It is now about as dark as it will get for the night, so I will finish the wine in my glass and call it a night. More adventure awaits tomorrow!