Norway in HD

It's April and spring is back. The leaves are back on our trees and nature is green as it gets. In Bergen and other cities all over the Kingdom another spring phenomenon is unfolding; the senior students in high school – The Russ – are out on the streets wearing their red or blue overalls. The Blues are students from business oriented high-schools and the Reds are students from other high schools. Expect to see some unusual behaviour …

There is something about kids playing in the snow that is guaranteed to make your Christmas spirit soar. It's a magical time of frozen air in your nostrils, the laughter of kids and parents speeding down the slope in your ears, and the white cover of snow that makes the familiar features of the world look so different, bright and new.

Please join me for one of those magical moments …

I simply love this view out "my virtual window". The crisp, yet tranquil green of the grass and the trees has been broken by the wild of the waterfall.  The huge rock that has fallen off the mountain and placed itself in the midst of the grass finds itself surrounded by the most harmless creature – the sheep.

Want music? Why not enjoy this window at the tunes of Edvard Grieg's "Solveig's Song" (Peer Gynt, Suite No 2, Op. 55)?

Norway declared herself a sovereign kingdom in 1905 ending almost one hundred years of a union with neighboring Sweden.

As a fairly young nation, the Constitution Day on May 17th is still one of the big annual celebrations. On this day children of all ages dress up in either one of the many national folklore costumes or their Sunday best.

At 10am the Children's Parade pushes off.  The children march to the tunes of their school's brass band accompanied by their teachers. A long the route parents and other relatives watches their offspring with pride. For the rest of the day the children can enjoy their privileges of non-stop supply of ice-cream, hot dogs and soda.

The Senior High School students celebrate following their own traditions. Easily recognized in their red or blue overalls they have been up all through the night and "marching capabilities" may at this point be somewhat limited ...

For a lot of people in our region May signals the start of the boating season. It is time to do that last minute maintenance before the whole family takes to the fjords. We visit a stunningly beautiful marina and watch as nature, man and his machines prepare for the season.