Posts Tagged Østfold
Gamlebyen Model Railway, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Travel and practical stuff on January 14, 2011
It boasts three kilometres of tracks, 110 locomotives, 600 carriages/wagons and some 3,000 buildings spread out over an area of 270 square metres. The Gamlebyen Model Railway has become one of Fredrikstad’s most popular attractions, welcoming over 9,000 visitors since opening in September 2010. The project is the labour of love of a local journalist turned businessman, who bought the building in the Old Town a few years ago to house what he hoped would one day become Scandinavia’s largest model railway. And although Arne Børresen had to borrow 9 million Norwegian kroner to finance his venture (an investment that will take a while to recoup), Gamlebyen Model Railway has struck a chord among rail enthusiasts of all ages. Plans for extension are afloat, which will almost double the size of the operation – and turn Arne Børresen’s dream into a reality. So watch this space.
You will find pictures of the Gamlebyen Model Railway at www.gbmj.no (Norwegian only).
Voldgaten 8, Gamlebyen, Fredrikstad. Open weekends only, Sat 11am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm. Admission 30Kr.
Diving in Ytre Hvaler NP
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, News on December 21, 2010
Hvaler to get under-water nature path
Posted by admin in Nature and the great outdoors, News on December 21, 2010
Ytre Hvaler National Park has just received the green light for establishing a nature path under water. The new ‘path’ will be part of a joint Scandinavian project called the Nordic Blue Parks Project, whose aim is to offer a network of under-water ‘paths’ for divers and snorkellers. The path in the Ytre Hvaler National Park should be ready by the summer.
There will be, among other things, several information signs (anchored in cement blocks) around the wreck of the Lossen, a ship that sank in the area on Christmas Eve 1717 (more on the Lossen at www.elusivemoose.eu/2010/09/the-lossen-hvaler/).
The fauna and flora are protected in the Ytre Hvaler National Park, Europe’s first, and only, marine national park. But the project should not have any adverse effect on the local ecosystem, says Østfold fylkesmannen (the county governor).
Source: Fredriksstad Blad www.f-b.no/nyheter/lager-natursti-under-vann-1.5902688 (Norwegian only)
More info, in English, on the Nordic Blue Parks Project at www.nordicblueparks.com
Where to eat: da Luca, Fredrikstad
Posted by admin in Food and drink on December 17, 2010
Love pizza, but not too keen on the American-style offerings at Peppes or Pizzanini restaurants? Then head to da Luca, at the very end of Gågata, Fredrikstad’s main pedestrian street. This small informal restaurant serves what are arguably the best pizzas in town. The owner, the aptly named Luca Bonacucina (the name means ‘good cuisine’) is Italian, and it certainly shows. His thin crust, wood-fired oven pizzas taste of Italian sun and lively alfresco dinners with friends – even on a cold Norwegian winter day. Pasta dishes and salads also feature on the well-priced menu, with pizzas and pasta dishes around 110Kr and salads from 79Kr. A bargain! More of a lunch kind of place, although it’s open until 10pm (11pm at weekends). Mamma would approve 
Nygaardsgata 50. Tel: 69 31 62 99, www.dalucalunchbar.com. Closed Sun.
Nissenatthuset, Gamlebyen
A great place to stock up on Christmas decorations and stocking fillers, with a wide selection of baubles, table ornaments, glassware, candles, old-fashioned sweets and a lot more. Affordable prices and super friendly service make this a very pleasant shop to visit, whether you want to buy anything, or just browse. They also store some cool Ugly Children clothes (among them the popular lice and milk designs, see www.uglycc.com for more info) and gorgeous hand-made soft toys. Look out for the big Santa sitting outside on a bale of hay, just by the main square in Gamlebyen, Fredrikstad. Open daily now until 22 Dec, 10am-4pm (23 Dec until 3pm only). www.nissenatt.no (Norwegian only)
Christmas 2010 concerts in Østfold
Posted by admin in Art, culture and literature on December 4, 2010
Not in the Christmas mood yet? Well a Christmas concert might help you get there. Here is a selection of some of the concerts, big and small, taking place throughout the county this month.
- 4 Dec Christmas concert with Rita Eriksen in Immanuel’s Church, Halden. 6pm, 325Kr (tickets from Brygga Kultursal) www.bryggakultursal.no
- 5 Dec Christmas concert in Hvaler Church (free)
- 5 Dec Concert with the Nordic Tenors in Brygga Kultursal, Halden. 6pm and 8.30pm, 375Kr. www.bryggakultursal.no
- 5 Dec Hanne Krogh and the three tenors in Fredrikstad Cathedral. 6.30pm, 340Kr. www.billettservice.no
- 6 Dec Hanne Krogh and the three tenors in Moss Church. 6.30pm, 340Kr. www.billettservice.no
- 7 Dec Christmas concert with Erik-André Hvidsten in Sarpsborg Church. 7pm, 245Kr. www.billettservice.no
- 7 Dec Christmas concert with the Oslo Gospel Choir in Askim kulturhus, Askim. 7pm, 400Kr. www.billettluka.no
- 9 Dec Christmas concert with Erik-André Hvidsten in Østre Fredrikstad Church, Gamlebyen. 7pm, 245Kr. www.billettservice.no
- 9 Dec Det Norske Blåseensemble (the Norwegian Wind Ensemble) play Handel’s Messiah in Immanuel’s Church, Halden. 7pm, 150-200Kr. http://billett24.no/ (or on the door)
- 10 Dec Pre-Christmas concert in Eidsberg Church (free)
- 10 Dec ‘Stille Natt, Hellige Natt’ concert in Jeløy Church, Moss. 6pm, 328Kr. www.billettservice.no
- 17 Dec ‘Julenatt’ concert with Rein Alexander in Glemmen Church, Fredrikstad. He is accompanied by 14-year-old Martin Enger Holm. 6pm, 320Kr. www.billettservice.no
- 18 Dec ‘Julenatt’ with Rein Alexander in Tune Church. Same as above. 6pm, 320Kr. www.billettservice.no
- 19 Dec Parkteatret’s big Christmas concert in Moss. Profits go to Save the Children. 7pm, 250Kr. www.parkteatret.com
- 19 Dec Christmas concert in the potato cellar in Røed Gård, Jeløya. Awaiting info.
- 19 Dec Christmas concert with the Hvaler Trivselskor in Spjærøy Church (free)
- 20 Dec ‘A Christmas festival’ concert in Fredrikstad Cathedral. With Norwegian pop idol Didrik Solli -Tangen and the Østfold Symphony Orchestra. 7pm and 9pm, 280Kr. www.billettservice.no
- 21 Dec ‘Stille Natt, Hellige Natt’ concert in Tune Church. 9.30pm, 328Kr. www.billettservice.no
Kjerringåsen, Sarpsborg
Can’t wait to go skiing again? Kjerringåsen in Sarpsborg opens for the season this weekend. This is the largest of only two Alpine ski centres in Østfold, best suited for beginners or intermediate skiers. There are three ski lifts, and five downhill slopes (the longest 650m), including one kids’ slope. Open 10am-9pm Mon-Fri, until 7pm at the weekend (see opening times for the Christmas holiday under ‘comments’). Day pass 260kr (210kr for kids up to 15 years). Morning, afternoon and evening passes also available. Cafe and equipment hire on site (220kr per day for a complete Alpine set).
You can also go cross-country skiing here, as there are several tracks nearby, some of them floodlit in the evening. There is no charge for cross-country skiing.
Alpinveien 109, Sarpsborg (off the Rv114 between Sarpsborg and Nordby). Tel: 69 14 81 85, www.kjerringaasen.no (Norwegian only).