Oslo day 2

Travelled: 121km

Visited: Oslo

Stay: Norway/Sweden border- large parking area, picnic tables, information centre, toilet, shower payable. GPS 59.9303 12.2410

After a very peaceful night, we caught the train once more down the mountain into Oslo. 

Not only in London!

At 9am on a Sunday morning, it was like a ghost town with very few people about. The one thing that was open was the City Hall (free) which is the political and administrative heart of Oslo. It was opened in 1950 and is decorated with delightful motives from Norwegian history, culture and working life. The Great Hall serves as a venue for major functions. 

The Festival Gallery.

We were able to walk through various rooms and halls with their modern paintings on the walls.

We then took the opportunity with our 24hr transport ticket to take a 50min round trip on a ferry to some other islands in the fjord close to the city. It was possible to hop on and off but we decided to return to the city to continue our explorations there.

 We walked up to Christiania Torv, the city's first market square, with its fountain with a gloved hand. 

From here we made our way to Karl Johans Gate, the main boulevard of Oslo. With the parliament (Stortinget) at one end and the Royal Palace at the other end. 

It was a pleasant stroll past stately Neo-Classical buildings that are now department stores, cafes and hotels. 

St.Hallvard- city symbol

French toilet block 

We continued through the gardens and along the beaujois end of town. 

We went to visit the Oslo City Museum (free) which had a great exhibit on the history of Oslo. 

Funny toilet signs 

Solar recharging stations

We then strolled through the Vigelandsparken, a park whose 212 sculptures depict humanity in all its forms. We went over the bridge which is lined with 58 bronze statues representing various stages of life.

 A very popular one is of a baby having a tantrum! 

We then passed the fountain with 6 giants carrying a vessel on their shoulders surrounded by 20 groups of figures in amongst trees. 

Behind this and up the steps was the 17m Monolith, comprising of 121 human figures supporting and holding on to each other. Around it were 36 groups of granite figures depicting the cycles of life and relationships. Some where quite moving. 

Then it was time to return to Bluey and we enjoyed a final view of Oslo as we decended the mountain. 

We were only stung with one 35nok toll as we left the city on our way to Sweden. We were happy to have arrived at the border just after 5pm before the Motorhome crowd hit its peak and managed to get a spot to stay overnight. 

Peace Memorial.

The tourist office is quite unique as it has the border line running through it...great photo opp! 

Goodbye Noway and Hello Sweden, Bluey's 27 country!

Oslo

Travelled:130km to Oslo

Stay: Voksenkollen, free carpark (59.9811 10.6685) 2.5km above Holmenkollen ski jump, path on right side of parking lot 200m from Tban station 35min to centre Jernbanetorget Station. Ticket machine at station 33nok 1hr ticket or 90nok 24hrs includes train, bus, tram and ferry. All info on Rutter.no 

Tunnel roundabout

We drove through the rain towards Oslo and headed for Holmenkollen on the mountain above the city where a new ski jump was built in 2011.

 It was possible to stay for 48hrs  but we decided to head up to a campercontact spot 2.5km further up near the communication towers, that stated it was close to a train station. We were not disappointed. 

By 2pm we were on the Tban, a 35min ride to the city Center enjoying lovely views of the fjord as we decended from 460m alt. When we exited at  Jernbanetorget Station we ventured to the cathedral. Founded in 1694 and having a major renovation in the 1950's , it's interior, with its painted ceilings, was quite colourful. It is still used by the Royal family for special occasions.

A little devil.

 As we made our way to the harbour, we came across a group of buildings that are called the Barcode, due to their modern dissymmetry.  

We then went to the Opera House, built in 2008, which is covered in white marble and granite. It has a sloping roof which we walked up and down, offering views of the city and the fjord. The sun had decided to come out at this point and it was so bright that we regretted not bringing our sunglasses. 

We continued on the Akershus Fortress, stopping on the way to look in at the free Armed Forces Museum (Forsvarsmuseet). It had war history from the Viking era to present day, with some amazing exhibits.

Cannon on a sled.

Mark is shackled again!

The Cold War..Rusdian and American propaganda 

 After we were kicked out at 5pm as it was closing, we strolled around the rest of the fortress which has undergone numerous transformations since it was established 700 years ago.  

Harbour views.

Fjord views.

Our next major city attraction was the City Hall designed in 1918, it is  a very modernist dark brown brick building. It was closed by this time but we hope tomorrow we will see the decorative interior. 

Close by there was the Nobel Peace Center, which is only a museum as the prize is actually presented at the City Hall. 

Aussie busker.

We then walked up to the National Theatre station to take the train back to Bluey for dinner and a rest.