Archive for March, 2010
Østfold in Pictures: The Enningdal River
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on March 31, 2010
Enningdalselva: One of the finest salmon rivers in Norway
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors on March 31, 2010
The Enningdal River (Enningdalselva), also called Berbyelva, is the name of the river that runs from the Bullaren Lake in Sweden, through Enningdalen and into the sea at Iddefjorden in Halden, 13km downstream. It is one of the finest salmon rivers in Norway. Because it is situated far from the salmon farming plants along the country’s western and northern coast, it is so far not threatened by genetic pollution from escaped farmed salmon. Nor is the salmon here badly infected with salmon lice, a big problem in salmon farming plants and many salmon rivers elsewhere in Norway. The biggest salmon caught in Enningdalselva weighed 17.8kg, although most salmons are smaller (the average weight is 4.5kg). Some 140 salmons were caught during the 2009 fishing season. The season lasts from May until August. The Workers’ Association of Hunters and Fishermen in Halden is responsible for the protection of the salmon population and the regulation of the salmon fishing in the river. A permit is needed in order to catch fish in Enningdalselva.
There are also freshwater pearl mussels in the river. Norway has more than half of the total population of these mussels in Europe. They are a threatened species, and it is strictly forbidden to harvest them. Each individual mussel can reach a size of 7-15cm, and they can become 200 years old!
One of the tributaries to Enningdalselva is Elgå, which runs directly on the border between Norway and Sweden. Just before it enters Enningdalsvelva, Elgå falls some 46m down the Elgåfossen (see earlier entry on this blog) – the highest natural waterfall in Østfold.
Moss Rygge Airport fifth largest in Norway
Today is the official opening of Ryanair’s base at Moss Rygge Airport, the airline’s first base in Norway. This means that Moss Rygge Airport, the main airport in Østfold, is now Norway’s fifth largest.
To mark the occasion, Ryanair, the biggest no-frill carrier in Europe, is opening 7 new routes from Rygge to Berlin, Eindhoven, Malaga, Paris, Riga, Venice and Wroclaw. Additional routes to Gdansk, Krakow, Memmingen (Germany), Zadar, Århus, La Rochelle and Palma de Mallorca will follow in the next few days. Altogether Ryanair will now serve 30 destinations from Rygge.
Competitor Norwegian has in response cut some of its international routes from Rygge, but strengthened its domestic network, by introducing direct flights from Rygge to Tromsø in northern Norway for example.
Art exhibitions in Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Art, culture and literature, Photos and videos on March 29, 2010
Østfold Art Centre (Østfold Kunstnersenter)
Posted by admin in Art, culture and literature on March 29, 2010
Østfold Art Centre is the main venue in Fredrikstad for visual and applied arts. The artist-run centre, which is housed in a 1800s white wooden building on Fergestedsveien, puts on temporary exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing the work of many local artists, as well as that of other Norwegian artists. Exhibition space spreads over two floors. There is a cosy cafe on site, and a shop. The centre so handles commissions for public and private spaces, arranges workshops and lectures, and collaborates on educational projects for children.
Fergestedsveien 5. Tel: 69 31 09 95, www.kunstnersenter.no/oks/ (Norwegian only). Open Wed-Sun 1200-1700 (gallery); Wed-Thur 1100-1800 (Fri til 2200) and Sat-Sun 1200-1700 (Kafé Nyt). Free entry.
Where to eat in Sarpsborg
Posted by admin in Food and drink on March 28, 2010
Most of Sarpsborg restaurants can be found on St Marie gate (aka gågata), the main pedestrian street in Sarpsborg. Many of them have outdoor sitting in summer.
- Brasserie 74 (at, you will have guessed, no. 74): Cosy restaurant with stylish design and good food, offering a choice of snacks and more expensive Italian-inspired dishes. Tel: 69 12 11 35, www.brasserie74.no
- China Plaza (no.93): This popular restaurant serves classic Chinese dishes, but also Korean, Thai and Malaysian specialities at reasonable prices. Exotic deco, and patio at the back. Tel: 69 15 04 22, www.chinaplaza.no
- Butt’s Bistro and Tandoori (no. 77): Sarpsborg’s Indian restaurant, a little bit further down the main street. Good selection of tandoori, curry and kebab dishes in pleasant surroundings. Tel: 69 15 55 60.
- Big Horn (no. 103): American-style steaks, burgers and other offerings from the grill are the name of the game here. Dinner only. On the pricey side. Tel: 69 12 22 00, www.bighorn.no
- Pizzanini (junction of St Marie gate and Jernbanegata): Chain restaurant serving a selection of pizzas to share in open-plan kitchen setup. Tel: 69 12 19 99, www.pizzanini.no
- Dickens (no. 109): Long-established pub-style restaurant specialising in burgers, steaks and pizzas. Tel: 69 15 28 92, www.dickens-sarpsborg.no
Oil exploitation in the North Sea: Looking to the future
Posted by admin in Photos and videos on March 27, 2010
The Alexander Kielland Disaster
Posted by admin in History and architecture on March 27, 2010
We hear much about Norwegian oil, and how the discovery of petrol in the North Sea in the late 1960s changed Norway’s fortunes forever, making the country one of the richest in the world. But this new-found wealth came at a price, and was not without its challenges, and tragedies. The worst of them all happened 30 years ago today, when 123 men lost their lives in a terrible accident out at sea, after the Alexander Kielland platform capsized into the ocean in a particularly ferocious storm in the evening of 27 Mars 1980.
The Alexander Kielland, a drilling rig used as living quarters for offshore workers, was part of the Ekofisk oil field in the North Sea, about half-way between the Scottish and Norwegian coasts. The storm, which had pounded the platform with gale force winds and waves of up to 10 meters all day, led to the supporting structure to give in – and the platform to collapse into the sea. There were 212 people on the Alexander Kielland when the accident happened – only 89 of whom survived. Among the victims were 27 Americans and two Brits.
The Mayday call went out at 18.33 and the massive rescue operation that ensued involved helicopters, planes and ships from all over the North Sea area. It was, however, impeded by thick fog, which reduced visibility significantly.
It was later revealed that a fatigue crack in one of the bracing units that held the platform’s supporting columns together was to blame for the capsize. The Alexander Kielland accident was the worst disaster in Norwegian waters since WW2. A black day in Norwegian history, the disaster resulted in the tightening of security on offshore installations, and more demanding standards in the construction of off-shore platforms. The platform was named after Alexander Lange Kielland, a Norwegian author.