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Det Lyser I Stille Grender (Norwegian Christmas Song)

admin — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 12:46:01 +0000

Christmas 2010 concerts in Østfold

admin — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 12:26:56 +0000

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

Alpine skiing in Østfold

admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 11:31:09 +0000

Kjerringåsen, Sarpsborg

admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 11:29:30 +0000

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).

Love is in the air…

admin — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:07:30 +0000

Top 5: Most romantic places in Østfold

admin — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:04:08 +0000

- Going back in time in Gamlebyen: Take a walk along the quaint cobblestone streets and on the leafy ramparts before retreating to one of the many cosy cafes for a drink and a cuddle. Little wonder Gamlebyen’s recently been voted as one of the top 10 most romantic destinations in Norway by travel magazine Reiser & Ferie!

- Trip on the Halden Canal: There is something about gliding on the water on a hot sunny day, a light breeze in your hair, a glass of bubbly in your hand, the two of you leaning against the railing, watching the wake. Want to impress your date? You could do worse than a trip on the Halden Canal.

- Dinner at Curtisen: Good food, good wine, and a historic setting full of atmosphere – surely the recipe for a very romantic evening. Restaurant Curtisen, in Halden Fortress, is just the ticket.

- Finding your own secret creek on Hvaler: With hundreds of islands, islets and skerries, that shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Sea, sex and sun on Søndre-Sandøy (?)

- Sleeping under the stars in Vestfjella or Rakkestadfjella, Indre-Østfold: Want to get away from it all? Here you really can have a whole forest all to yourself! Set up camp by one of the hundred little lakes in the area, and you can even go for a midnight dip with your loved one

One of the exhibits inside Tøihuset

admin — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:16:13 +0000

Fredrikstad Museum in Gamlebyen

admin — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:06:17 +0000

Taken a stroll in the Old Town? Why not follow this up with a visit to the local museum, housed in what was once Norway’s largest arsenal? Small, but interesting, the museum retells the history of the Old Town through a variety of exhibits ranging from an outdoor toilet (with not one, but two seats) to archeological finds, as well as reconstructed interiors and scenes depicting daily life among soldiers and civilians. There are also archive photos of the old and new towns throughout the years, a 3D model of Gamlebyen when it was still a guarrison town, and an exhibition focusing on military costumes and Norway’s various factions during WW2.

Most of the signs are in Norwegian, but info sheets in English are available. Alternatively you can book a guided tour in English. Allow about one hour.

Tøihusgaten 41. Tel: 69 95 85 00. Entry 40Kr.

Get on your bike!

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:05:55 +0000

Top 5: Cycling routes around Fredrikstad

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:58:11 +0000

Get on your bike, and discover another side of Østfold on two-wheels. Here are a few routes well worth exploring around Fredrikstad:

- Torsnes: A scenic tour that will take you through varied landscape, and avoid the worst of the traffic. Start in Gamlebyen and follow Torsnesveien (Rv107) all the way until you pass a sign for Nes, then take it right into Thorsøveien at the next crossing. The loop road will take you to Torsnes, and back onto Tornesveien (24km).

- Glommastien: A popular day cycle along the River Glomma between Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg. Start from the ferry departure point on the west side, and come back on the east side, ending your tour in Gamlebyen (30km).

- Ullerøy: Follow signs for Ullerøy off Rv110, and continue on this road, Ullerøyveien, all the way to the little bridge leading to Nordre Karlsøy. You can continue onto the two small islands before starting the return leg of your trip. On the way back take it left at Røaveien, about 1km after the bridge. This dirt road will take you back to Rv110 through the forest (16km).

- Storedal: Combine this easy cycle through pretty kulturlandscap (fields and farms) with a visit to the Storedal Centre before heading back the way you came. Starts just past Årum off Rv111 (11km).

- Vikane: Start at Slevik on Rv117 and head for Vikane. You will follow a beautiful stretch of coastline before turning inland towards Rv116. Take it right here, and stay on this road for about 1km, before turning right again back towards Slevik (16km).