Archive for August, 2010
Busters Notater
Posted by admin in Art, culture and literature on August 22, 2010
Today is Photography Day here in Norway, so I thought I’d post a link to a great local photo blog I’ve been following for a while now: http://bustersnotater.blogspot.com/
Buster, a bit like Elusive Moose, would rather remain anonymous, and let his photos do the talking, although he kindly agreed to answer a few questions I put to him earlier (see below). In a nutshell, though: Buster lives in Fredrikstad, he is passionate about photography, and he is very talented. The photos on his blog can be of anything, from abstract rocks and water shots to flowers, pets, family members, buildings, you name it. He also likes fun compositions (often with a witty pun as a title – although that will be lost on my non-Norwegian speaking readers). Photos that make you think, and/or giggle! Great stuff!
…
Buster, I’m impressed with your pix, and I suspect you might be a pro. Tell the truth…
I have some education in photography, and I had photography for a living years ago. Now I’m an amateur photographer like anyone else.
What kind of camera(s) do you use?
I usually use a Canon 5D with a telephoto lens when doing pics for the blog. I recently bought a compact Olympus-camera. When I learn to be friends with it, I hope that’s going to be my number one.
What are your favourite motives?
My favourite subjects are people. I don’t show much of them in the blog, though. And of course I love taking pictures at Hvaler and everywhere I can find the combination of stone and water. I like to play with words and humour, and you can find many of my favourite pics under the label ‘Jiiiha’.
And the best places to shoot in Østfold?
A 10-minute walk from Vikerhavn on Asmaløy, Hvaler, you can see the horizon and get the most beautiful light in sunset. Amazing.
Why did you start this blog?
I have no intentions of making money or change the world. The blog is a way for me to keep my mind occupied. It’s like therapy. The name ‘Busters notater’ is taken from a book called ‘BusteR BrenneR’ by Jan Erik Vold, by the way. He writes short stories that at first glance have no meaning.
Did you know? Ytre Hvaler National Park
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors on August 20, 2010
- The national park was opened on 9 Sep 2009. It is Norway’s 31st national park, and Europe’s first marine national park (jointly with Koster NP in Sweden). It covers a surface of 354km2, although only 14km2 of it is land.
- The national park features many unique traits such as deep soft and hard bottoms (over 200m below), very exposed shallow sediments and rocks and deep water coral reefs. The deepest point in the park is 462m deep. The area also boasts a great variety of marine species (around 7,000), including invertebrates, fishes, sharks and seals.
- The national park is a great place for bird-watching. Sea birds and wading birds in particular are plentiful here: more than 260 species have been observed on Akerøya alone.
- Some 50 shipwrecks lie on the seabed in the area, the most famous of which is the frigate Lossen, which sank off the island of Vesterøy on Christmas Eve 1717.
- Tisler has the largest inshore reef in Europe, 1,200m long and about 200m wide. It is home to species not found anywhere else in Europe. The reef was discovered as recently as 2002.
- The waters between Heia and Torbjørnskjær are an important pupping area for common seals. They keep to the most remote areas to avoid the worst of boat traffic.
- On land you’ll find rare plants and flowers such as the musk orchid or the horned (yellow) poppy for example – 32 of them feature on the Norwegian Red List (i.e. are threatened) and should not be picked.
Østfold in Pictures: Skjeberg Church
Posted by admin in History and architecture, Photos and videos on August 17, 2010
Skjeberg Church
Posted by admin in History and architecture on August 17, 2010
One of the largest Medieval churches in Østfold, dating back to the late 12th century, Skjeberg Church is also arguably one of the prettiest. Built in stone, in the Roman style, it boasts a gothic portal, as well as a runic inscription on one of the walls. The baptismal font in the church, made of a special kind of stone called ‘kleberstein’ in Norwegian, is one of the finest in the country. It was carved by an English craftsman in the first half of the 1100s. The font, which is square, stands on five pillars. It is big, as in the Middle Ages infants had to be totally immersed in water during the christening ceremony. Images of Christ, the four evangelists and the apostles adorn the bas-reliefs on the sides of the font. The church is surrounded by a colourful graveyard overlooking the surrounding fields.
How to get there: From Sarpsborg, follow Rv118 (Skjebergveien) south towards Skjeberg Stasjon. You’ll see the church on your right 2km before you reach the railway crossing.
For info on other Østfold churches see www.elusivemoose.eu/2009/12/top-5-churches-in-østfold/
Worth their weight in gold
Posted by admin in Food and drink, Nature and the great outdoors, Photos and videos on August 16, 2010
The chanterelle (cantharellus cibarius)
Posted by admin in Food and drink, Nature and the great outdoors on August 16, 2010
This highly prised mushroom, which comes in season here in Norway from as early as June, is super tasty, easy to recognise and can grow in big amounts – hence its popularity among wild mushroom enthusiasts. The Østfold forests are full of chanterelles this time of year, and it won’t take you long to find a spot where to pick some. Chanterelles like mixed woods (this means both pine and conifer) but also often grow along forest roads, so just keep your eyes peeled for dashes of gold on the forest floor as you drive around.
How to identify them:
- The cap: bright yellow to orange, smooth, often becomes wavy at the edge as the mushroom matures.
- The flesh: firm and white, tinged with yellow and smelling slightly fruity.
- The stalk: thick and full, not hollow.
- The gills: not true gills, but thick ridges, similarly coloured or lighter than the cap, that run part way down the stem.
Eat them fresh, dry them (on a tray covered with newpapers for 2-3 days, thereafter in a net, preferably somewhere airy), or freeze them (cook them first to get rid of as much of the water as possible). My preferred way of eating them is just fried, with a bit of salt and pepper, on a slice of bread. Or add cream, and a bit of nutmeg and cinnamon – they are delicious prepared this way too. And of course you can use chanterelles in many dishes (see links below). Don’t feel restricted to use them with meat only though. My sister makes a fantastic salmon and chanterelles lasagna – the two go very well together too.
More info, and some recipes, at www.mssf.org/cookbook/chanterelle.html and www.wild-harvest.com/pages/chanterelle.htm