Trip to Northern Norway

It's quite a few weeks since our trip to Norway, and it feels like a lifetime ago as I sit in my office in Durham drinking coffee from my thermos and writing about motherhood and austerity. Here is a recap from our trip to Northern Norway, mostly in pictures.

We flew Oslo-Bodø on a slightly delayed flight, which was just as well as we then arrived as the midnight sun was hovering around the horizon, and there were breathtaking views of the jagged rocks in the water and mountains on the skyline. We walked the short distance from the airport to the town centre in twilight, and had a few hours sleep before getting up to make the most of the free breakfast and endless filter coffee (Norway's filter coffee game is 10/10).

We travelled from Bodø to Sandhornøy in a ferry, and then took a bus to the beach Langsanden, where Salt is located. We camped on the beach for four nights, ate our packed lunch food, had waffles in the cafe in the morning, took a sauna and ran to the cool Atlantic to cool off (although the sauna was not very hot), lazed around on the beach, and generally had a superb time camping in a mostly-isolated place. 

We made friends with the Mayor of the local commune, who so kindly brought us to his house, gave us coffee, and BROUGHT US IN HIS LITTLE TWO SEATER AIRPLANE. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it makes sense to make friends with everyone you meet, because sometimes those people are absolutely lovely individuals who will go out of their way to share wonderful experiences with you.

We made our way back to Bodø and then on to Lofoten islands. Unfortunately we only had one night so we stayed in the most touristic area, which was a huge shame after the beautiful isolation of Langsanden. Nonetheless, we made the most of it, eating whale (which was NOT nicely prepared!), going for a long walk, and enjoying ourselves. 

It was then time to go back to the mainland for one more night in a lovely hotel, a welcome rest after all the camping (I am not, generally, a camper), and home again home again to Copenhagen. I was left with such a positive impression of Northern Norway. The people we met were so kind, welcoming, and ready to chat to us. The landscape was breathtaking, the weather incredibly pleasant, and the efficiency and ease with which we travelled around really impressed me. For sure, my heart has been stolen by this part of the world, and I can't wait to return :)

a few weeks in Denmark

I am so lucky to be able to spend a few weeks in Denmark this summer. Right now I'm back in our old apartment, and we're enjoying some exceptionally nice weather (with a thunder storm last night!), swimming in the Øresund, applying layers of sunblock, eating delicious salads, and planning for our trip to Norway at the end of the week. 

Leo's at work, so I'm up to my usually tricks; doing writing for my PhD, lots of admin (sigh), cleaning and cooking. Mondays may not be as good as the weekend when your weekend is filled with amazing coffee from the place your friend works at and all the delicious salad and bread you can handle, but it's pretty fantastic when you get to stay at home, clean at will (cleaning calms my soul) and think about preparing the most delicious dinner while listening to your new favourite song. 

Trip to Croatia | Split & Zagreb

We docked in Split in the evening, and walked a couple of kilometers to our Airbnb place for the night. After a serious mooch around every corner of the apartment (it was MASSIVE!) we walked into the touristy part of the city. I bought some lavender 'essential oil' that was actually just watered down. I have been had, my friends. We got some seafood and saw the sights. Split is a pleasant old trading town with a colourful history. A large Roman palace was built which was home to various Roman emperors. The streets are all paved with this very soft smooth rock that seemed very popular in the entire coastal region.

There are a surprising number of 'Leo' signs in the world. We take pictures of them all, naturally.

The tower reminds me of the temple in Salt Lake City. Absolutely terrifying.

We made the most inspired choice in the morning. Weeks and weeks ago we booked bus tickets, for a lengthy journey all the way up Croatia from Split to Zagreb. And, at the last possible moment, we changed our mind, and took the train. I paid, and thought nothing of it, because there's nothing more preferable than a train journey over sitting on a sweaty, cramped bus with your luggage at your feet for 6 hours.

We had an entire compartment to ourselves (Harry Potter style!) and happily passed the 5 or so hours. At each station house along the way there were finely dressed station masters with their red flags, standing to attention. In a heavily automated and efficient world (the UK, Denmark), you miss the human element. Of course, it's very cost effective to have a machine with a light do the job of a human, but it's good for the soul, for the sense of togetherness culture is supposed to foster, to see honest decent human beings wearing their uniforms with pride and doing a job that pays a decent salary. It just makes sense.

Zagreb is an absolutely charming city. Beautiful old buildings with a modern touch, well dressed and good looking people everywhere, a million different cafes to try, I would definitely recommend a visit. We arrived just as Autumn was arriving, the most perfect time of year to do anything in my opinion.

Our trip was coloured by trains (I love train journeys), mushrooms (a trip to the fungi museum proved very informative), and a lovely afternoon spent in the Ethnography museum (I am an ethnography enthusiast, after all). We got fancy barista-made coffee, had excellent organic burgers in a little joint that could have been in Hoxton, and even went to the cheapest cinema in the world (€3 per person!) on an ill-fated trip to see Lucy (we left early). A perfectly relaxing urban end to a perfectly delightful visit to Croatia.

And before you know it, we're back in Copenhagen, and it's raining. 

All good things must come to an end.