Oslo

Flying in Norway is super easy! Self-check in and doing your own bag drop is a great idea, especially when you get to play with the barcode zapper...ptchuuuu! The only trouble is that James bought the wrong train ticket to to the city so we have a bit of a wait. When we get to the hostel it's definitely got the best facilities and we even get a private bathroom (it is much more expensive that the other places though so we think it's only fair). No night out for us tonight since it's £8 a pint so it's a studenty tea of cheese and beans on toast and some films on TV.

Time for some sight seeing today so what can we do for free... first stop tourist information for a handy map with a useful phrase or two: James makes Christine squirm by saying to her "Hei snuppa" (hey babe) a bit too much! We find the Nobel Peace Center in a nice spot by the water front and spend a while checking out the native art decorating the city hall. The art is a series of massive carved wooden pictures showing the mythology of Norway. It's a bit violent!

The nominations are in...And the winner is...

Here comes mighty Thor

The next stop is a walk up to the fortress and castle where we get a good view of the fjord.

Kaboom!

James is caught out playing in the snow, possibly chasing his tail?

Don't jump!

Guarding the fortress against the riff raff (that'd be us)

Behind every man, is a giant ass woman...

We've underestimated the weather so we go back to the hostel for more clothes and a flask of tea (Norway, you've changed us!) before going in search of the number 1 tripadvisor activity which is walking on the opera house. It's a weird building supposedly shaped like an iceberg and in the winter it's a death trap walking on it since it's made of smooth Italian marble. Great idea Oslo! It's a good view from the top out across the fjord and the other way over the city but it sure is cold.

Opera house or ice berg (or death trap)

Random iceberg sculpture in the harbour

We didn't want to smile but we got frozen like that

Look. Over there. Isn't that awesome?

Next it's off to the cathedral which isn't that impressive compared to others in Europe. As James pointed out "that's just a church" so we keep walking. The map suggests going to the 'hip' areas of town and we're glad we did, lots of second hand and vintage shops to rummage around which means Christine can stay in budget buying James' birthday presents. After a bit more strolling it's that time again - food and films back at the hostel.

James meets a real superhero

Save me Captain America, they're trying to steal my shopping!

The next day sees us walking in the other direction towards the royal palace. It's grand and we like the idea of the King just going out for a stroll in the city. Lizzie, why aren't you a bit more sociable? We keep walking towards Vigeland park full off interesting (and mostly naked) sculptures and manage to find the famous 'Angry Baby' statue.

A grand day out

It's a boy!

No I won't wear a nappy!

Wrestlemania: Oslo edition

The pinnacle (literally) of Vigeland Park - The Phallus!

Pile-on!

Christine finds a kindred spirit

We've had a lot of walking today so we treat ourselves to a tea in a wooden tea house before braving the cold again for a walk round the harbour. The sun is setting and its a beautiful view out across the water. It would be lovely to win the lottery and afford to have a meal with that view but it's more curry at the hostel for us!

Scenic harbour views, lovely.

Sunset over the fjord together

A romantic evening stroll. A bit cold though, brrr.

Rudolph goes bad-ass!