My Marathon Mom sister Chloe decided that she just had to run the Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsö, Northern Norway, above the polar circle. Since I did not only want to be a spectator I decided to run 10 km. So after 6 months training I managed to run 10 km in just over 1 hour, which is fine for me. I just don't want to come in last.
We organized all preparations and even planned a trip to Lofoten, since we would be in the area.
Chloe arriced med June and of we flew to Tromsö, via Olso. Found our Airbnb (with a little bit of confusion) and set about discovering Tromsö.
Outside the museum a Sami tent had been installed where one could relax on the reindeer sons and taste a cup of real Sami coffee.
Here she is cooking coffee on the fire. In a traditional Sami home.
Chloe and I in a display of sisterly love relaxing on the reindeer skins.
After that introduction to the Tromsö region we had to register for the run- Chloe for the marathon and me for 10 km.
And what happens? Chloe runs her race and has the best time for her age group and even the best time for the age group below her! I run 10 km in 1 hour and 10 minutes (bad!) but I win 100 000 Norwegian crowns for being the 100 000 th participant in the midnight marathon, even though I only ran 10 km! The catch was the 75 000 had to be donated to a Norwegian charity. With a bit of pressure from the organizers I donated the 75 000 to Kirkens Bymission in Tromsö, an organization run by the church. But I was as happy as the pig in .... to have 25 000 Norwegian crowns.
Here´s the proof, two cheques
So off the beautiful Lofoton, where we now had enough cash to hire a car.
View from out hostel
On a boat trip up a fjord to see the eagles and feed them fish which the crew caught.
After an awe inspiring visit and round trip on Lofoten we took the ferry to Bodö from where we were to fly home. Could not resist documenting this fort, built by Napoleon. On our boat trip around Europe Carl followed his hero, Napoleon all over the place and it was probably no surprise that the little man had even been in Norway, not only Norway but way, way up north.
This is Napoleons fort in Bodö.
Never got to see the midnight sun from Lofoton, but, joy joy, from the bar of the Scandic hotel in Bodö we had the spectacular view of the sun which never set. Shortly after this photo was taken the sun bounced back again on its daily trip.
After our wonderful trip to Norway we hurried back to Höllviken where we were expecting Lucy and Seb to arrive from Paris Anna and Eva kindly offered their house for the midsummer celebrations and the number of guests coming tyo the midsummer celebration just increased. Midsummer games with Swedes vs the Common Wealth. the commonwealth being South Africa, Canada and England.
Chloe and Angela decorating the maypole with the expert help of Eva.
Discussing strategies
Swedish midsummer as it should be, midsummer food, song and dance, and some rain.
Anna taking aim. Quite a style
Another perfect style. Unfortunately no a single hit.
At this point Chloe had been exposed to Norwegian and Swedish culture, now she needed to see the Danish. So a trip to Bornholm was planned. The ferry goes from Ystad, the home of Wallander. We absolutely had to go to Wallanders cafe and taste the Wallander cake, which was a normal Swedish cake but with blue marzpan.
And then on to a 100 km cycle round Bornholm. Beautiful day, beautiful island, but quite a tough bike trip.
Introducing Chloe to the Scandinavian summer flowers.
Introducing Chloe to Bornholm ice-cream. I think this is the first time she has ever eaten a whole sort serve.
Bur for Carl, who made us cycle and extra 5 km just to find this very special ice-cream, a giant soft serve is all in a days work!
And so ended our wonderful Round Scandanavian Adventure.
