Arrival in Oslo was the expected user-friendly experience.  Give the Immigration Officer Royal Thai’s complimentary orchid, exchange pleasantries with same (“oh, you were born in Oslo?”), collect luggage (as I always tell people, do not under any circumstances go via Heathrow), withdraw Norwegian kroner from ATM, purchase train ticket from machine using credit card, catch train to city (a smooth 20 minute express ride every 15 minutes or so with free Wi Fi), and Bjørn’s your uncle.

This winter (2014) Oslo had very poor snowfall, and quite a lot of rain.  (Norway had a February that was 9°C above average.  Even allowing for statistical variations, that should tell us something.)  However there was still the usual ice on footpaths and roads when I arrived.  Sightseeing and walking are mutually exclusive activities here in winter unless you want to see a hospital.  You either walk, or you look, but never do the two simultaneously.

Skiing in Nordmarka (the area just north of the city) with its abundance of groomed tracks, some lit at night, was infinitely better than in Australia, again as usual.  Nordmarka is well above sea level even though it’s only 20-25 minutes by train from Oslo’s CBD, so the cover and quality were very acceptable to this Antipodean even if below average for locals.

The food and drinks in the markahytter really hit the spot after some skiing.  Hot chocolate never tasted so good!  I’ve not skied in Austria/Italy (too vertical for me) but on the basis of what Lou and Lisa Dawson say on Wild Snow the food there runs a close second to the skiing in terms of attraction.  (For examples, see this, this and this.)  This culinary stuff appeals to me as I really don’t enjoy skiing- I only do it to justify the calorie intake.

One afternoon I thought I passed the twin brother of King Harald V, except I don’t think the King has a twin brother.  No security detail with him, but he was skiing pretty fast so maybe he left them behind.

And here’s another brush with fame.  In 2011 I had a conversation at a track junction in Nordmarka with the father and grandfather of Petter Northug Jr, royalty of a different kind.  See this YouTube video for an example of his incredible speed, especially around 3:32-3:42 where he sprints so hard and so fast approaching the finishing line that at times both skis seem to be off the snow.  Petter Northug Jr is regarded as a bit of a bad boy, especially in Sweden- see 6:37-6:50- but what a skier, in both classic and freestyle disciplines.  This last winter he had bad form, and did not perform well at the Winter Olympics or other races.  An infection stopped him from training for a couple of months, but people also say his athletic performance has not been helped by a fondness for partying and high-stakes poker, and preparing separately from the national team.  What would sportertainment be without such personalities? A track in Nordmarka, close to Frognerseteren