Eventyr

Fødselsnummer in hand

At last!

My fødselsnummer arrived today.

Looks like all that effort (and money) was worth it in the end.

Next up, my Norwegian passport.

It isn't like I can't take my time. I have been at this for a while now.

Since Last I Posted

My days are flashing by at the moment in a blaze of organisation and new beginnings. 

As I have this site to remind me where I have been (in the immortal words of Captain Beaky) I shall now list some of the things I have been up to in the last few weeks:

* Day 1: Fly to Norway (for the first time in four years - gosh time has flown).  Get to watch my iPod be checked for explosives!  Catch up with work.
* Day 2: Go to the replacement Fantoft Stave Church, Go up Fløyen, Experience a £5 pint.
* Day 3: Go to Bergen Aquarium, Eat Crab from the shell at the Fish Market. Visit a random gallery or two. 
* Day 4: Visit Håkon's Hall and the Bryggens Museum. See Relatives with my smiley brother (eat restaurant level dinner).  Discover one of my relatives looks exactly like one of my friends.
* Day 5: See more Relatives (get fed reindeer).  Find out about the captain and his bread and dummy interests.
* Day 6: Go on Norway in a Nutshell Tour. Say Yaaaaaar on the fjords.
* Day 7: Relax and then see more relatives (get fed reindeer).  Practice table football and dog control.
* Day 8: Marvel at how cheap everything is once you think about it.  See relatives again for dinner. Feel sad about my lack of language skills.
* Day 9: Start buying things as they all suddenly seem so cheap.  See more relatives for dinner.
* Day 10: Fly back, long drive, sleep.
* Day 11: Go to the fourth birthday party of the beautiful Aurora in the exclusive garden in Sussex Square. Learn about Viking Balloon hats. Go to the b'day party of the not-quite-so-adorable-as-my-god-daughter-if-i'm-honest Tom in the evening.
* Day 12: Return house keys from Norway and pay rent in Hamburger Dressing.  Cook evening lasagne (for practice) and play Mah Jongg.
* Day 13: Catch up with work. Go to cinema.
* Day 14: Catch up with work. Go to cinema.
* Day 15: Go to Freshers Fair and register for PhD.  Catch up with work. Go to cinema.
* Day 16: Go to DPhil induction sessions and Welcome Party.  Start Storytelling course at Varndean.  Bump into old A-Level Philosophy Tutor.  It’s nice to be remembered.
* Day 17: More Induction Sessions.  Decide on office space. Find out I have been given a short story.  Drive to Devon.
* Day 18: Go to Plymouth. See the fish.  Drive back through the moors.  Discover Port and Lemonade.  Mmm.
* Day 19: Watch Lost. Drive home via old family houses and Maiden Castle.
* Day 20: Start DPhil proper.  Catch up with work.
* Day 21 (Today): Catch up with work.  Start to feel tired.

So that's it.  My time has been fun but hectic and soon I should think about slowing down again.  I may even get the chance to put up photos!

One day.

When my list of things to see and do gets shorter.

Maybe.

On Holiday!

Bergen wet but good, much reindeer, back Friday.

First Misadventure With the Law

I started the process of applying for my Norwegian Person Number today.

You need one to apply for a Norwegian passport.

You need a Norwegian Passport to apply for one.

It looks like they may accept copies of my birth certificate and citizenship certificate. But only if certified by a Norwegian Notary.

So I went (to the solicitors of fish - Donne Mileham & Haddock) as advised.

And I got them.

£55.

Ouch.

For two signed photocopies after a two minute meeting.

I even made the photocopies myself.

Law costs.

But, to his credit, he said I could come back for free if it didn't work.

Counting down the seconds

Less than 48 hours until I'm in the flat in Bergen. Feeling short of sleep, short of time and badly short of useful things like money or an E111... (They gave me the forms at the end of the month, then said they weren't valid a week later...)

Tired.

I'm cancelling games of MJ, almost cancelling gigs, and leaving everywhere* early. But the work continues.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

* Being at least one birthday party and one toga party.

Boring Idyll-ness

I had just asked him why his party was trailing in the opinion polls a few days ahead of the general election here, when everything in this country is going so well.
His blue eyes searched the cloudless sky for a possible answer.
"Unemployment is low," I prompted him, "interest rates are at a record low, the UN keeps telling us we live in the best country in the world. Yet people say they want the Labour party back in power?"
When the heavens failed to provide him with an adequate answer, he looked back down, shrugged his shoulders and said: "Well, maybe people just want a change."
I do not think anyone can possibly understand how boring a general election in the world's best country really is.

Norway's formula for a happy life (sent to me Hecticjames)

Everything is now starting to rush up as the countdown to travelling to Norway begins... 6 days left...

Rainy Bergen Prep

I bought my plane tickets for Norway yesterday. I think it shall be strange to go back. It has been a while and there will be several holes in the world where people once were.

The current update I have from people out there states that the weather is 'bloody awful'. (But then it is Bergen...)

Ah well. It is still getting away and getting free, and I will still get reisefeber. Time to start thinking about things to do. I may even fork out for the wet tour.