Scandinavian Meanderings

On reaching Glasgow and happily sitting having breakfast with a 4 hour wait there was disconcertingly no mention of our ryanair flight to Oslo. On asking - Glasgow has 3 airports! Thank goodness we had enough time to take bus and train to Prestwick (1 hour journey from Glasgow International) for flight to Oslo -Torp (Oslo about 1 1/2 hours). Ryan air having a lower weight allowance than Easy jet we had to add another bag (+£20)grrrr. Met by old friends of Flax Bourton origin we stayed at Ramer a wonderful Norwegian Estate where they are developing an organic farm and have a wonderful garden in which is a stage and amphitheatre for outdoor performances. A wonderful setting for such as Romeo and Juliet.

A swan protecting his nest from marauding humans among the amazing water features

The farm has old Norwegian breeds of cattle and pigs and good ecosystems for their comfort. Grass rooves for natural insulation.

After a couple of days we drove down to Fredrikstad to join the rather wonderful old Colin Archer designed wooden pilot boat, the Frithjoft, that we were going to cruise down the coast on. However the weather and a few normal 'maintenance issues' with the boat changed our plans and when we reached the Swedish islands of North and South Koster we disembarked, invited to their splendid music festival performed by the local Conservitoire. We dined al fresco and as it was a trifle chilly rugs were provided. A great evening. We partied there (and the Scandinavians know how to party) for a few days recovering from the evenings by throwing ourselves into an untamed sea (invigorating) and exploring by bicycle and foot (good for the concience and necessary for the figure).

Now back at Gatcombe to find a message from our dear and almost nonagenarian cake baker that she won't be able to make the cakes for Thurday's group. 'Sorry. I've had a bit of a fall'. I went to see her this morning (Sunday) We called the paramedics who were quite lovely to her. They took her straight into the BRI. Not exactly a malingerer; she has fractured some vertabrae. No wonder she was in so much pain. She saw the doctor last Thursday and was told 'You are just bruised. Take some paracetemol and come and see me on Monday if it is no better'. Disgraceful, I think.

Bishopsworth Ladies

Last night Bishopsworth Ladies spent the evening with us. As ever a jolly bunch. One lady over 90 skipped up the back stairs with her daughter behind her unnecessarily ready to catch. They were very interested in a letter that one of last weeks visitors sent viz WW1 medals. So interesting the information that we get from visitors increasing our knowledge.

I have been trimming the herb garden so that it has a chance to do a bit of recovery before the winter and it has grown amazingly this year. As have the roses all of which seem to be repeating and look terrific this year. More than half the Ladies last night braved the slightly iffy weather and umbrellas to the fore took great interest in the garden, glasses in hand.

Paperwork

I have just spent two days trying and eventually succeeding in booking flights to Oslo from Bristol. Unless very pressed I hope not to have to deal with Ryan Air ever again. Dreadful web site everything is extra and to book I had to pay £30 handling fee which seems outrageous. With Easyjet there are none of these hidden extras. To make matters worse having filled in the forms three times and in three currencies at the first attempt their web site suffered a gremlin and it was unclear if the transaction had gone through so we had to contact our bank to check before starting again. I will need a holiday to recover from booking it! It should be fun. Being professional sailors for half the year we get asked to sail from time to time and down the Norwegian Fjords will be spectacular. Fingers crossed for some good weather.

Into July

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Sunday saw several old school friends coming from as far as Kent, Yealmpton and Cambridge for a reunion. Although it rained hard (yes the garden needed it but after all the brilliant weather it was a shame to rain on our parade) we had a talkative lunch. Some of us had not seen each other for 35 years! We remembered an old review where Cath sat in a rocking chair in a cardi singing Val Doonigan, Pan's People entertained and 'LouLou' was mimed amazingly by Izzie. Apparently the staff were not amused but we couldn't work out why.

On Monday evening the St Lukes Ladies Club came to visit and were another jolly lot. They have been together since just after WW2 and have progressed from young wives to the ladies that they now are!
Georgie (the terror) getting into the picture. She loves visitors but will run between their feet so everyone must take care when she is allowed out to meet and greet (usually after the stairs have been mastered!).

Blazing June

A group photo to record the trip.


After tea and cake a little exercise to help the figure!

We have been very busy over the last two weeks. Last Saturday's Open Day went well and by the end of a hot afternoon the pool was filled with bathers some down to their bra and pants! Fortunately we had a life guard in attendance...Just in case.

Its been very hot and the herb garden has bloomed.