With more than eleven years together in Groningen, both going on forty and the dog going on ten we decided to move together to the 'other' hometown, Kristiansand. This blog is here to keep ourselves a tad bit organised and you hopefully amused. We wish for a good journey, lots of luck and lots of macrel!
The old Mill, Mølla på Grim, existed even before Kristiansand was
founded. Connected to the old Møllevannet, it used to grind its way
through some centuries. Møllevannet was pushed back direction Kjerrane,
making room for housing at the Møllevannsveien, Krosseveien (Krossen
being an old registered farm in the area) and Suldalen. Marianne grew up
in the area and used to bike through the group of pigeons ganging up
outside the Mill. Now out of function, the building has been sold to an
esate agent waiting for his lisence to change the mill into appartments.
In the meanwhile a group of enthousiastic volunteers arrange great
events and concerts now and then. This evening there was an open stage,
with great young musical initiative. Here some amuse bouche.
Here you can check out and download Lovesong to Mr. Hiccup, by Elise Tørring from Lillesand, with her ukulele she charmed her way into the whole ole Mill this evening.
We checked out the other features of the Mølla, and we were very impressed with the interior shabby more than chique decoration. Hopefully this nice group will be able to continue at the same pace, for quite some time!
The bar, made out of pallets. Very inventive and recycled!
Believe me, it won't get much pretties with a clearer photograph. But cool it is!
These are a bit strange and sad times to move to Norway. The whole country is in a state of post traumatic stress after the terrible deeds of Breivik. Now the court case is going on, and people try and deal with it, the media, and life after 22.7.12.
Today 40 000 grownups and children gathered in Oslo were singing Pete Seeger's My Rainbow Race. The song and it's translation into Norwegian by Lillebjørn Nilsen, has been a part of all of our lives from the seventies. The song itself has meaningful connotations to how many people want to deal with such an incident. Also, because of its place in many Norwegian hearts, the song immediately brings forth sentiments of solidarity and brotherhood. It is indeed a very powerful statement.
Pete Seeger: My Rainbow Race
One blue sky above us
One ocean lapping all our shore
One earth so green and round
Who could ask for more
And because I love you
I'll give it one more try
To show my rainbow race
It's too soon to die.
Some folks want to be like an ostrich,
Bury their heads in the sand.
Some hope that plastic dreams
Can unclench all those greedy hands.
Some hope to take the easy way:
Poisons, bombs. They think we need 'em.
Don't you know you can't kill all the unbelievers?
There's no shortcut to freedom.
[Chorus]
Go tell, go tell all the little children.
Tell all the mothers and fathers too.
Now's our last chance to learn to share
What's been given to me and you.
[Chorus]
Here's a video from all the people singing in Oslo today:
And here is the singalongtext in Norwegian! By Lillebjørn Nilsen (my guitarhero by the way)
En himmel full av stjerner.
Blått hav så langt du ser.
En jord der blomster gror.
Kan du ønske mer ?
Sammen skal vi leve
hver søster og hver bror.
Små barn av regnbuen
og en frodig jord.
Noen tror det ikke nytter.
Andre kaster tiden bort med prat.
Noen tror at vi kan leve av
plast og syntetisk mat.
Og noen stjeler fra de unge
som blir sendt ut for å sloss
Noen stjeler fra de mange
som kommer etter oss
Refreng:
si det til alle barna!
Og si det til hver far og mor:
Ennå har vi en sjanse
til å del e et håp på jord.
Refreng:
si det til alle barna!
Og si det til hver far og mor:
Ennå har vi en sjanse
til å del e et håp på jord
There are several ways that determine if you are a full member of a society. Yesterday was another step in that direction for Michael into the norwegian 'samfunn' . He did already make a ' niste ' (http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niste ) But yesterday was a big step when he finally got his tax-card. This means he's in the system. He can open a bankaccount and get properly paid and all sorts of related things!
But there is one that still scares him: Michael noticed a lot of shoes lying around at the workplace. Especially on a rainy day like this it isn't uncommon to take of your outdoorshoes and switch to indoor shoes. But, sandals......... I think not!
This is just another reminder that Andra is so adorable.....
So, Marianne will have to do this now.... meaning finishing the writing, plus tidy up the mess, or install office.... but she suddenly 'needed' some time-out from the (ehum) 'office'
These little patches we can use, and Marianne allready did the mistake of turning the earth in the 'big' one (4x2m) while you can read at http://wroeten.nl/ that there are better ways, with less back ache, to keep your garden weed-less.... but we'll apply that tip as well just to be completely laid back this summer watching the tomatoes grow to the sky!!
Here you see Endive, Borecole, Hokkaido Pumpkin, Squash, Basil and Perpetual Spinach.
Just some research, to see which method does best. In fact we will have thrice the amount of Borecole that we need, in fact Michal thinks all the Borecole we have is more than we need.... anyone interested????
Further to be planted into the cold ground: Dill, Coreander, Borage and Rocket salad.
Well, the Laurel is pretty sad, but the narcisses did pretty well, and the violets are perky. We will have to see what this little corner will bring us.
Van Lauwerszee tot Dollard tou, we sing this morning as Leonie prepares to leave later today. Lyrics written in 1919 by Geert Teis Pieterszoon.
Grunnen's Laid.
Van Lauwerszee tot Dollard tou,
Van Drenthe tot aan 't Wad,
Doar gruit, doar bluit ain wonderlaand
Rondom ain wondre stad.
Ain Pronkjewail in golden raand
is Grunnen, Stad en Ommelaand;
Ain Pronkjewail in golden raand
Is Stad en Ommelaand!
Doar broest de zee, doar hoelt de wind,
Doar soest 't aan diek en wad,
Moar rusteg waarkt en wuilt het volk,
Het volk van Loug en Stad.
Ain Pronkjewail in golden raand
is Grunnen, Stad en Ommelaand;
Ain Pronkjewail in golden raand
Is Stad en Ommelaand!
Doar woont de dege degelkhaid,
De wille, vast as stoal,
Doar vuilt het haart, wat tonge sprekt,
In richt- en slichte toal.
Ain Pronkjewail in golden raand
is Grunnen, Stad en Ommelaand;
Ain Pronkjewail in golden raand
Is Stad en Ommelaand!
This is also a great patriotic Groninger song, made by Arnold Veeman for the musical Bommen Berend (2011). You just want to stand up straight, wave your patriotic flag and shout: 'Er gaat niets boven Groningen'
Now that Leonie is visiting, we are showing off the best that Kristiansand and the area have to offer. Beginning with a nice walk to Bervannet (+/- 9 kilometers roundtrip) closing of with "pølsegrilling" in Helleviga with friends. Kubb, the ancient Viking game was warped into something of our liking, and Nicholas and Stella beat me, Leonie and Florian 'into our boots', while Anne Marie and Michael were busy not looking after Andra and the fire. Mike and I have gathered that our campingstuff needs to get into our reachable zone in the house. In the Netherlands it was in That Box, in That Cupboard, being brought out twice a year. Now we can go out every day, using our scouting knife, wooden cups and worn out thermos. YAY!!
In fact the best photo, even with a finger or two in front. On our way to Bervannet, with the sun in our backs. The elderly runner excused himself; his wife usually took care of technical issues.
Looking over Artillerivollen where we now live. Sun in our faces, Kristiansandsfjorden shining in the light.
Came back and packed our sausages and went for a 'grilling' in Hellevig. Here Kubb is being properly exercised with an underarm throw.
Andra likes being cuddled..... especially by children eating stuff...
Also by 'baasje', but camera is 'big eyed scary thingy'
Here Mike and Anne Marie busy tending the fire and looking after Andra, for a change.
I know this seems a bit odd now that we finally moved to put a piece of Groningen back on the blog, but I did forget to show you this beautiful little village of Ezinge. So that was it....
This is Leonie and I. Leonie is a precious friend. We've had a few laughs, we went to the Pyrenees together, I visited her in Belfast, we've climbed together, I've borrowed her dad as a climbing partner for several years, and we have done our fair share of pubcrawling togehter.... And yes, she is coming for a visit this weekend!!!
Apropos friends etc, we got this Schuyt from our friends and neighbours on the evening before we left Groningen. Very very nice indeed!!
This dear moment between Andra and Cees was captured on the second day in Kristiansand just a few hours before Cees took the van back to the Netherlands for us. We are very very grateful!! Andra too, so it seems.
Mike's mum, my mum, Mike's dad, Cees, Michael and Andra. A little rest at the Fishmonger's harbour before we go back to house and have our well deserved lunch.
Arrived yesterday, and sister and Terje were busy with 'løing' of wood. Has to lay till autumn, bark turned upwards, then moved inside, bark turned downwards for optimal dryness and effective heat in winter.
Michael is allowed to stay as long as he wants, but it took a while. The first day when we arrived at 9 o'clock they didn't take in more people. So the next day evenearlier: 8 o'clock and took the number below. Almost five hours later we left the building.
Getting the car in was even more tiring.
- Customs
- Public roads administration
- Customs
- Public roads administration
- Customs
- Public roads administration
but now we have switched from dutch to norwegian licenseplates.
Michael at the tax/registration - office where we first get to hear that he will only get an appointment in two months at the police, whereafter we will have to wait for another four weeks for an ID number, whereafter he can finally get his tax-papers, his bank account number and (detail) his salary.
Blueberrymuffin at the police register office.
Never again gonna import a Dutchman to Norway...
Symbolic moment, car being imasculated...
Because thou shalt not drive without license plate.... on the way to the customs
Customs in Kristiansand is in the Customs street...no kidding
Then waiting, at the Vegvesenet.... We have our license plate, and it begins with PR!! (means "new" in Kristiansand)
It's been more than a week now that we moved. But because we don't have internet yet at our new we haven't posted any messages. But here are some pictures.
First Marianne in front of an empty truck.
We took all wednesday filling, until it looked like this
In the evening we had a little drink with all the neighbours were said goodbye! Also that evening Kees arrived from Amsterdam. He drove the empty truck back to Groningen!!!
This picture was taken just before we drove off. Andra didn't look too pleased.
On thursday we first stopped at a Bed and Breakfast near Haderslev in Denmark. If you ever travel north and need a place to sleep and relax go to Ørby Hage. Very nice people and a friendly atmosphere!
Here the whole gang in front of it. To the left the truck, then our car and on the right the car of the parents of Michael.
Early friday morning we left for Hirtshals. The 12 o'clock boat would bring us to Kristiansand. In Hirtshals some formalities with customs but we got there on time.
We arrived in Kristiansand on time. At customs it took most time to register the television. Later on we had much more diffulty with te car, but that's another story. Here we have arrived in front of our new house that we will rent for a year.
Family members of Marianne helped unpacking, so we were finished in less than two hours. Then it was time for beer and pizza!
