Skiing and my own flat!
Topic: Evening skiing
The estate agent phoned me during lunch to tell me that nobody had used their option to buy the flat in Nedre Nyg?rd 17D, so I'd got it! I could feel the adrenaline raising as I was speaking to her. Now I just need to make some smaller decisions like how much money do I keep for furniture, and when do I want to move?

At 8.45pm, I met up with my faithful skiing buddy again. We did 2 laps of the ski tracks before a good gab at the end next to her exit. I then got to ski home in the dark again. Even though it was overcast, it was still light enough to easily see where I was going. I had borrowed a head lamp, but didn't really need it.

Skiing was not quite as easy as on Monday night, but it was still easy, and I thoroughly enjoyed the exercise. My friend said that she's normally at her peak fitness at the end of the skiing season, and then it's reduced throughout the summer. I'm afraid it'll be the same for me this year, but I'm really happy that I'm doing so well so far! Perhaps it'll inspire us to continue through the summer nights as well? We can always hope!

Skiing so far: 10 laps (total 31 km) + other trips, 49,5 km

Moonlit skiing to ?rfiske and Movatn!
Topic: Evening skiing
Tonight was another magic night! My ski-buddy and I did another moonlit ski trip. I started off just before 8.30pm, and got home just after 11. My friend thought we'd done about 10 km altogether, and I think that sounds reasonable! The forest is magical at night, and it was so cold that the snow had scatterings of diamonds and the trees had fairy dust on them. It all shone in the moonlight!

I think we were both in awe of this beautiful nature we have and how it cleanses the soul and thoughts to be out there enjoying it like that!

Skiing so far: 8 laps (total 24 km) + other trips, 49,5 km.

World Cup in Holmenkollen
Beautiful sun in Holmenkollen ski arena. My friend and I was supporting our local man from Voss, Lars Bystøl in the ski jumping. Unfortunately he didn't do very well, and ended up as number 13.

We saw the King, Queen, Crown Prince and Crown Princess. People were happy and the mood was great! Our places were perfect in the sun. We saw the jumps very well, and we didn't freeze. I think that's the most important!

Skiing from Harestua
Topic: Skiing
Drove to Harestua and walked south into Nordmarka to the cabin at Rajebr?tan where they served newly made waffles and drinks. It snowed on the way there, but on the way back we even had a tiny bit of sun! It was fairly easy 6,5 km each way, though my walking buddy kept the speed slightly higher than I would have if I was on my own I think. Good to be pushed a bit though, as I have a tendency to do things at a slower speed than I need to.

Skiing so far: 7,5 laps (total 22,5 km) + other trips, 41 km.

Family Trip
Topic: Skiing
Did 20km with a friend and her family. Beautiful sun, and I thought of Easter. Packed lunch, hot chocolate, orange and Firkløver. Just perfect!

Skiing so far: 7,5 laps (total 22,5 km) + other trips, 28km.

Food.frustration..
I have not been good at cooking for myself recently - I eat a lot of bread and sandwiches! When I do cook, I try to make double portions so that I can put some in the freezer. So far so good...

Today I decided on a pot of soup from the freezer that I made months ago (i.e. before I moved). The soup was really nice, and the freshly baked bread made it quite perfect.

The frustration is that I have NO idea how I made it! I remember it involved cooking suede and possibly potatoes and carrots, chunks of cheese at the end, and using the blender to make it smooth. Oh, and it had a lot of ground pepper. That's it, I don't know whether the idea came from a recipe book or a cut out, or if it was just left overs from a Sunday roast...

Skiing by moonlight
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Evening skiing
Imagine the forest in bright moonlight (yes, bright! In fact, almost a full moon). Then imagine snow on the trees around you, about minus 10 Celsius, and a good friend by your side. That's how tonight was! Kari Anne and I skied to Movatn, around 4 km away. The moon is full tomorrow I think, so the light was plenty.

Such times it's easy to understand how the tales about trolls and hulders came about. The forest is truly magical late at night! We started at 8.30pm with another friend, but she didn't want to do the Movatn trip, so we did 1 lap of the lit ski tracks first. We then left her to go home whilst we headed for Movatn. We got back just after 11pm. I will remember this trip for a long, long time!

Tomorrow night, a local group is organising a moonlit skiing trip to Råsjøen. It would be a nice way to meet some new people I guess!

Skiing so far: 7,5 laps (total 22,5 km) + 1 trip to Movatn (8 km)

Another success!
Topic: Evening skiing
After a couple of days with *thinking* about going out skiing, I managed on Monday night! I met up with Kari Anne at 8.40 (should have been 8.30!), and we did 2 laps of the ski tracks. It was quite a bit colder than last time (just under -5C I think), perfect conditions, and the wax-choice was yet again a near match.

The plan is to get back out tomorrow, Friday for the same again. I also hope to get another woman to join us. I haven't managed to time the laps yet, but we are doing them in around 30 minutes, give or take a few. I think that's pretty good going, and we still manage to chat quite a bit as well.

Skiing so far: 6 laps (total 21 km)

Rather depressing continuation...
Didn't manage to get back out again at the weekend. Which is quite bad considering the BEAUTIFUL sun and blue sky we had on Saturday! Actually I wasn't feeling too well and didn't want to risk this cold developing into something worse.. So most of Saturday and all of Sunday was spent watching 8 (yes, eight!) films with a hanky and mugs of hot chocolate.

Doesn't look like I'll have any luck getting back out again this week either, though I'm putting my hopes up for Friday again. I am free to go tonight, but have decided it's not a good idea. I think I should wrap up with a hot toddy instead ;)

WinterWonderLand
The Norwegian forest (Nordmarka) in the dark, Orion's Belt, and me! Magic.

A friend called me earlier this evening and asked if I wanted to join her in the lit skitracks. Of course I wanted to! We did 2 rounds, and then talked for about 30 minutes in the cold until the lights suddenly went. It was 10 pm, and the lights were supposed to be turned off. I still had about 1km left, and I decided to do it in the dark instead of going along the roads. I think I want to do it again! If I'm lucky, I'll have someone to do it with as well.. a romantic ski trip in the dark!

Just to make one thing straight - I am talking cross country here. It's the third time I'm out here in Nittedal, ever. First time was last Saturday when I did one lap. Monday night I did another one, and today we did 2. The last lap time was 35 minutes which is not bad for just under 3.5 km (we think...).

I hope I manage to do it regularly. It's great exercise, and probably the most fun one ever! At least it's one I can do, which is not bad.

Skiing so far: 4 laps (total 14 km)