Category Archives: Social comment

Audun Lysbakken, irony in action

Posted on 11/03/2012 by

A few days ago I was asked if I understood when a Norwegian is using irony in speech. I hesitated to answer, because I thought that the example that had raised the issue was more metaphor than ironic, but I … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Expat, In the news, Language issues, Random, Social comment | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First impressions of Norway…

Posted on 28/02/2012 by

…Norway through the eye of a first time visitor who happens to be a dab hand with a camera! It´s so much fun showing people around the place – not least so they can see that Norway is much more … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat, Norwegian climate, Norwegian culture, Places, Random, Social comment, What we did at the weekend | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Happy New Year! (Crash, bang, wallop, what a picture)

Posted on 08/01/2012 by

Just over a week ago now, I stood, bubbly in hand, adrenalin (sic) in body, together with five other relatively tame (it must be an age thing), but dedicated, New Year party animals, daring to contemplate how lucky I was. … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Expat, Social comment | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

A given and a-giving – my Xmas list

Posted on 11/12/2011 by

That Christmas is a fab time of year, is for me, like for most, an irrefutable given. It´s up there jostling for pole position on the calendar along with two weeks in the sun in summer. Despite the best attempts … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Eating out in Norway, English food, Expat, Norwegian culture, Social comment | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Ode to a julebord (Norwegian Xmas party)

Posted on 10/12/2011 by

Last night I survived the company bash, Lab coats and ID tags morphed into glam frocks and “stæsj” Men in suits, oh seasonal joy, And after a while, many not so coy The place was filled with festive cheer And, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Expat, Norwegian culture, Random, Social comment | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Norway in a nutshell

Posted on 30/10/2011 by

Whenever someone I have just met hears I live in Norway, the most common response is a positive one about how lucky I am – beautiful country, generous state benefits, oil, well off, attractive blonds etc etc. And they are … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Expat, Norwegian culture, Random, Social comment | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Holy moley, great aunts and uncles, I`ve been here a long time

Posted on 23/10/2011 by

When I first moved to Norway 15 years ago I obviously met my husband`s relatives, who, through no choice of their own, duly became mine (they are all great by the way, even if a bit too good looking for … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Expat, Norwegian culture, Social comment | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

July in Norway

Posted on 19/06/2011 by

For a summer-, sun- and sea-loving person, who, some 20 years plus since graduating, still hasn`t come to terms with not having the freedom of a student´s three month summer holiday and who starts wearing flip-flops at Easter, July in … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Expat, Norwegian climate, Norwegian culture, Places, Social comment | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Real men play tennis

Posted on 05/06/2011 by

Imagine a sport where the two best in the world battle it out like warriors over several hours, where the stakes are high (half a million quid I believe to the winner), the tension immense and the adrenalin tangible.

Posted in Culture, In the news, Popular Norwegian sports, Social comment | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Only in Norway

Posted on 23/05/2011 by

Imagine giving everyone in England a day off for St George`s Day, 23rd April. Yep and why not, you say, many are campaigning for this anyway. Well, then imagine, more or less, while not exactly telling the population what to … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Expat, Norwegian culture, Social comment | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments