- Moods of Norway: Funky, tongue-in-cheek designs including some real cool men’s suits and tops. www.moodsofnorway.com

- Oleana: Beautiful, quality ladies’ fashion in natural fibers and vibrant colours. www.oleana.no

- Arne Carlos: Swedish-Norwegian duo famous for reinventing the traditional Norwegian jumper. www.arne-carlos.com

- Probat: T-shirts with fun images and slogans, in Norwegian. www.probat.no (Norwegian only)

- Bergans of Norway: Top quality outdoor wear, usually quite expensive, but worth looking out for in the sale. www.bergans.no

And if you’re after Norwegian fashion for kids see also www.elusivemoose.eu/2010/05/22/

- Snøhetta: Probably the most famous Norwegian architect firm today, with cutting edge projects both at home (the Oslo Opera among them) and abroad (Alexandria Library in Egypt and the National 11 September Memorial and Museum in NYC). Newly commissioned to redesign Times Square in NYC. www.snoarc.no

- Helen & Hard: The firm behind the Norwegian pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo, the new Preikestolen mountain lodge (part of the Norwegian Wood project, a project aiming to promote modern environment-friendly wooden architecture) and the Geopark in Stavanger, an open air activity area designed in collaboration with some of the city’s youths. www.hha.no

- Jensen & Skodvin Architects: This talented team’s recent projects include the Juvet Landscape Hotel (the recipient of Innovation Norway’s product of the year award 2010) and the viewing platform at Gudbrandsjuvet in Norway (nominated for the prestigious Mies van der Rohe award in 2009). Other buildings of note include the Tautra Maria Convent near Trondheim (completed in 2006) are the Mortensrud Church in Oslo (1998). www.jsa.no

- Lund & Slaatto: Striking bridges, big modern offices and public buildings and a few very modern religious buildings have ensured the success of this firm, which has won many prizes over the years, most recently for the environment-friendly Pilestredet Park in Oslo, and the Svinesund Bridge over the Iddefjord between Norway and Sweden. www.lsa.no

- Reiulf Ramstad Architects: The team behind the stunning Trollveggen service centre and lookout platform along the Trollstigen tourist route has also completed a few projects in Østfold, including the Inside Out Summerhouse and Halden University College (pictured above). www.reiulframstadarkitekter.no

- 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

- Haukesnesfjellet: In remote Rømskog, this tower, operated by the local DNT (Norwegian Trekking Association) is open year round. From the top you can see, once again, vast expanses of forest, but also Lake Rømsjøen, one of the prettiest in Østfold, shimmering in the distance. Another great walk. More info at www.elusivemoose.eu/2010/02/08/

- Sprinkelet: This tower, close to the radio and TV antenna perched high on the hills just outside Fredrikstad, is a popular observation point with many locals. On the east side you will recognise many of the town’s landmarks (the big arch of the bridge, the yellow twin towers of the hospital, the spire of the cathedral), while in the other direction you can make out the Hvaler Islands in the distance. Binoculars are at the disposal of visitors. The track starts from just behind Gressvik IF football pitch.

- Vardeåsen, Rygge: An easily accessible tower only a short walk from the main road. From the top of the tower, you will be greeted with a fantastic panorama over the Oslofjord. You can see as far as Telemark to the west, and even make out Gaustatoppen on a clear day.

- Dragonkulen: Although this one is not located in Østfold, but on the other side of Svinesund in Sweden, I had to include this tower here, as this is one of the best Østfold panoramas I know, with the Iddefjord in the foreground, the Oslofjord and the Hvaler Archipelago in the background, and hills and fields in between. You can also make out the towns of Halden, Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad, giving a great overview of the county.

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A couple of other good options, which I had no room for above, include Vetatoppen between Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg (easy access from Vardeveien), and Rørfjell tower near Tomb, Råde (used by some for abseiling).

See also ‘Top 5: Vantage points in Østfold’ here (www.elusivemoose.eu/2010/05/31/)

- Sarpsborgmarka: A popular recreational area within easy reach of Sarpsborg town centre, offering a number of paths to choose from. The marked trail to Holen, which goes via the prettily named Appelsintoppen, is a good option, and the loop will take you through varied terrain. Follow the blue marks from the car park.

- Krysstjern: One of my favourite walks in this area, departing from a little car park along Rokkeveien, about 6km from the crossing with Skjebergveien. It’s not marked, and there is a little bit of climbing and bog crossing on the way up to the lake, but it’s well worth the effort, as the area is beautiful. A small path goes round the lake.

- Harehjellhytta: A 15 minute-drive from Sarpsborg centre, this area is better known for its ski slope (one of only two in the county) and its cross-country skiing tracks. But outside wintertime, it’s also popular with families going for a walk at weekends, as there are a few tracks to choose from, and they are well marked.

- Børtevann: Børtevann is a popular area for kayaking and canoeing, but you can also go around the lake on foot. Follow the dirt road behind the little cafeteria. The first half of the walk takes you through agricultural landscape with a good view of the lake, while the second part goes through the forest.