Archive for September, 2009
Fredrikstad Posters
Posted by admin in Photos and videos on September 29, 2009
Here are a few I made earlier 
The pic I used for the first poster is of Fredrikstad Bridge, the second and third ones were taken in the Old Town (an unusual parking sign, and the statue of Fredrikstad II on the square)
Useful Norwegian phrases (1)
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on September 29, 2009
Hei! Hello!
Ha det! Bye!
Ja: Yes.
Nei: No.
Takk: Thank you.
Tusen takk: Thank you very much (literally, thank you a thousand times)
Unnskyld: Excuse me.
Jeg heter…: My name is…
Kan du engelsk? Do you speak English?
Jeg vil gjerne ha et glass øl/vin, takk: I’d like a beer/glass of wine please.
Hvor mye koster det? How much will this be?
Du tuller?!! You’ve got to be kidding?!!
Østfold in Pictures: The market in Gamlebyen, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Photos and videos, Shopping on September 28, 2009
Top 5: Things to do in Gamlebyen, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Travel and practical stuff on September 28, 2009
1. Lunch at Mormor’s Cafe, the locals favourite: The cosiest cafe in the Old Town, with eclectic furniture, a lovely patio in summer, and yummy food. Try the toasted ciabattas, and finish with coffee and a chocolate truffle (Mormor’s speciality).
2. The Saturday market on the main square (Apr-Dec): A lively affair, particularly on hot summer days, where you will find dozens of stalls selling anything from knitwear to music, second hand furniture and souvenirs (no food).
3. Bastion 5: Local artists exhibit ceramics, jewellery, painting etc. Housed in the Old Town’s oldest building, dating back to 1731.
4. The Fredrikstad Museum: Tiny, but perfectly formed, this is the place to learn about local history. The tourist office, which is adjacent to the museum, stocks a good range of gifts and souvenirs, as well as offering information on what to see and do in Østfold.
5. Feeding the ducks: Everybody’s favourite past-time. Most of the resident ducks can be seen by the drawbridge that spans the moat just as you come into the Old Town.
Klar Tale
Posted by admin in News, Uncategorized on September 27, 2009
Learning Norwegian? Then check out Klar Tale. It’s a small newspaper that’s written in very simple, easy to understand Norwegian, and therefore very accessible. They cover both international and domestic topics, and also publish features on culture, sports, etc. Their new website is very colourful and user-friendly – you can adapt the settings to suit your tastes for example (text size and font, whether you want to see the pix or not, loading speed). And if you want to improve your pronunciation as well as your reading skills, you can even hear someone read the various articles out loud. Check out www.klartale.no for more info.
Østfold in Pictures: Tvetervannet, Skjeberg
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on September 26, 2009
Østfold in Pictures: Langvikkilen, Torsnes
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on September 26, 2009
Fårikål Recipe
Posted by admin in Food and drink on September 26, 2009
Serves 4 people
You will need:
800g-1kg mutton or lamb
1 white cabbage
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
2 tablespoons juniper (optional)
4-6 dl water
1. Cut up the meat and the cabbage.
2. Alternate layers of meat and cabbage in a big pan, with the fattest meat at the bottom. Sprinkle a bit of flower, salt, pepper and juniper in between the various layers.
3. Pour the water over the lot. Cook to boiling point.
4. Reduce the heat and let cook for 1.5-2 hours with the lid on until the meat is soft and tender.
5. Adjust the seasoning, and serve with boiled potatoes.
Fårikål
Posted by admin in Food and drink on September 26, 2009
One of Norway’s most popular dishes, traditionally eaten in the last week of September. In fact, the last Thursday in September has officially been named “Fårikål Day” in Norway, with lots of restaurants featuring fårikal on their menu, and local and national newspapers publishing recipes to try at home. Fårikål (it should be spelt “får-i-kål” really) literally means ’sheep in cabbage’, and basically that’s what it is, although those with a more delicate palate can opt for lamb if they find the taste of mutton too strong. Cabbage’s not my favourite vegetable I must say, actually before I moved to Norway I seldom had it at all, but somehow I love that dish. Because the cabbage and the meat cook for so long (see recipe above), both end up being so soft they melt in the mouth. And it’s so easy to prepare anyone can turn out a decent one. Now that’s my kind of dish!