Archive for October, 2009
Fire rules in Norway
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors on October 25, 2009
In Norway, open fire is not permitted in or near forests between 15 April and 15 September. While this might sound a bit excessive in wetter areas like, let’s say, the fjords, in makes perfect sense here in Østfold, given how dry forests can get in the summer. So one of the good things about summer being over and the colder months coming our way (let’s look on the bright side!) is that you are now allowed to light up a fire when out and about. Pack a few sausages and have yourself a little BBQ next time you go for a walk. Nothing quite like it to warm you up on a cold winter day. Roasted marshmallows anyone?
Østfold in Pictures: The view from Greåker Fort, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Photos and videos on October 24, 2009
Top 5: Shopping centres in Østfold
1. Østfoldhallene: Østfold’s biggest shopping centre, just outside Fredrikstad’s city centre on Rolvsøy. Open 10-20 (18). Free outdoor parking. www.ostfoldhallene.no
2. Moss Amfi: A modern shopping centre in a pleasant environment with 110 shops, cafes and restaurants right in the centre of Moss. Open 09-20 (18). Free parking for the first two hours in adjacent car park. www.amfi.no
3. Torvbyen, Fredrikstad: This shopping centre right in downtown Fredrikstad has just received a facelift, so expect a fresh new look and new shops. Open 10-20 (9-18). Free parking after 5pm weekdays, and after 11am on Sat. www.torvbyen.no
4. Sarpsborg Storbyen: 75 shops over 3 floors in downtown Sarpsborg. Open 9-20 (18). Paying covered car park. www.storbyen.no
5. Moss Byporten: The centre has 50 shops and is located outside Moss off the E6. Convenient for last minute shopping before heading off to Rygge Airport around the corner. Open 10-20 (18). Free outdoor parking. www.mosseporten.no
Fredrikstad Fotballklubb (FFK)
Mad about football? Then you’ve come to the right place. Founded in 1903, Østfold’s most famous football team, FFK (Fredrikstad Fotballklubb), has had its ups and downs over the years, but it remains one of the most successful teams in Norway, with 9 league championship and 11 Norwegian cup wins to its name. Fredrikstad supporters flock to the new stadium, inaugurated in 2007 and housed in a former shipyard by the Glomma, every time FFK plays on home ground, and they paint the town red – literally. FFK colours were (oddly enough) officially given to the club by the Polish Football Association at their own request back in 1927, and have not changed since – the kit is white and red, after the Polish flag. Read more about FFK at www.fredrikstadfk.no/en/
Østfold in Pictures: Puttesund Bridge (Hvaler)
Posted by admin in Photos and videos on October 21, 2009
Focus on Gamlebyen: The former infantry barracks
Posted by admin in History and architecture on October 21, 2009
The former infantry barracks in Fredrikstad’s Old Town were inaugurated back in 1788. The tall brick building, which stands south of the main square, is said to be one of best examples of military architecture in Norway. The barracks were built using the calendar plan, with the 4 entrances representing the seasons, the 12 chimneys the months of the year, the 52 rooms the weeks of the year, the 365 windows the number of days in a calendar year, the 24 panes in each window the hours of the day, and the 60 doors the minutes in an hour (although some alterations have obviously taken place over the years). The building, which was used by the military until as recently as 2002, today houses Fredrikstad Internasjonale Skole (FRIS).
The Svinesund Bridge
Posted by admin in History and architecture on October 15, 2009
Joining Sweden and Norway over the picturesque Iddefjord, the Svinesund Bridge, opened to traffic in June 2005, is a modern structure in concrete and steel, and a very striking one. The main span of the bridge, which reaches 30m at its highest point, is a single arch of 247m (the total length of the bridge is 740m). Apparently it was the word’s largest bridge of its kind when it was designed. It cost a whopping Skr1,400 million to build, and the cost is being partly recouped nowadays by the tolls payable to cross the bridge (20Nkr each way). Svinesund Bridge is part of the E6, the motorway between Oslo and Gothenburg – and crossing the border between the two countries here is quite a sight, with the fjord some 60m down below, the Oslo fjord in the distance on one side, and the old Svinesund bridge spanning the narrow fjord in the other direction. See photos of the bridge on www.flickr.com/search/?q=svinesund+bridge
Østfold in Pictures: Gamlebyen, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on October 13, 2009
