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Surprising Janet and Olav!


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We were all gathered together at Rygnestad again - Finally!

Celebrating Olav and Janet's 40th wedding anniversary as well as Janet's birthday.
The whole run-up to the surprise started, we seem to agree on, around Christmas 2002. Words were uttered and plans formed but no dates were set. We knew for certain that we wanted to go to Rygnestad to celebrate Janet and Olav's 40th wedding anniversary as well as Janet's birthday. It is quite crafty of them to get married on her birthday - that way it is very had to forget those important dates. Little did we know that by the time the plans were in order there was another birthday to celebrate while we were at Rygnestad...

While Rob and Hild got their tickets organised in March, Kristin and Alvaro were holding on for those good deals that are released closer to the departure date. It was perfect timing because Rob and Hild had finally enough frequent flyer points with Qantas to get from the US to Europe after all those trips back and to between Europe and Australia. But, as Eisenhower said, planning is essential but all plans are useless. In the end, Rob had to fly to Kenya to work a week before our planned departure and go directly to Copenhagen after that. Kristin had to fly to Romania to work a couple of weeks before also converging in Copenhagen. Alvaro stuck to the original plan of flying from Denver to Copenhagen and Hild flew from Ithaca. In addition, we had additional family-travellers and party-goers: Alvaro's niece, Paupi, and her boy friend, Nico who were already touring Europe took the train to Copenhagen to meet up with us. So as you can see - quite a plot was thickening without letting Janet and Olav know anything.

Because of the danger of Janet and Olav planning to go on holiday during the all-important weekend, we needed a couple of contingency plans. Adelheid functioned as spy on the ground - listening for the clues of holiday travels being planned. And to make the plan air tight we also brought in Rob's parents. Viv and Rich wanted to travel in Norway in August, and we broke the secret to them and got them to ask if Janet and Olav were home at Rygnestad for them to visit around the 15th and 16th. The added pleasure was that Viv's birthday is on the 16th - the day after Janet's. A triple celebration!

It was hard keeping the secret from the US and we tried to limit communications to e-mails rather than the more tricky phone calls. Adelheid had the hardest job: Keeping the secret when seeing Janet and Olav every day. In the end, Adelheid had to nearly stop all contact with her parents to avoid saying the wrong thing and letting the cat out of the bag. Viv simply wouldn't call fearing she'd spoil the secret in some way.
A drink and a rest on Rådhuspladsen (Town Hall Square) in Copenhagen. Visiting Tivoli is a must, but the Gylne Tårn is only for the brave ones (i.e. Paupi and Nico). Night time in Tivoli, Alvaro, Hild, Kristin, Paupi and Nico.
A drink and a rest on Rådhuspladsen (Town Hall Square) in Copenhagen. Visiting Tivoli is a must, but the Gylne Tårn is only for the brave ones (i.e. Paupi and Nico). Night time in Tivoli, Alvaro, Hild, Kristin, Paupi and Nico.
Taking in the main food groups in the hotel in Tønsberg. In the meantime, we were gathered in Copenhagen to pick up a hire car and drive home to Rygnestad. We figured it is much cheaper to hire a car in Denmark than in Norway, and it let Hild and Rob catch up with friends and ex-colleagues, and Hild could sort out her renewed US visa. All very productive. Finally, the day for departure towards Norway came on the 14th. Paupi and Nico took the train and met up with the rest of the travellers in Tønsberg. We managed to take in the most important food groups in Norway: Kjøttkake (meatballs) with potatoes and gravy, chocolate pudding with vanilla sauce, and Solo softdrink as can be seen in the photo.

After staying overnight in a hotel in Tønsberg, Paupi and Nico continued on the train to Kristiansand only to catch the bus up the Setesdal valley to Valle and Rygnestad. Kristin, Alvaro, Rob and Hild took time to stop by at "Verdens Ende" (translates to "End of the World") at Tjøme in Vestfold, Norway. We used to go camping there lots in the 70s and 80s.
Verdens Ende.
'Verdens Ende' - not nearly as bad as its name.
The kiosk at 'Verdens Ende'. The very old light house, where a bonfire is lifted up in the air in a basket! It is beautiful here, and brings back many childhood and camping memories for Kristin and Hild.
The kiosk at 'Verdens Ende'. The very old light house, where a bonfire is lifted up in the air in a basket! It is beautiful here, and brings back many childhood and camping memories for Kristin and Hild.
The seagulls are watching on - thinking how daft tourists are... Rob realises that the water is NOT warm enough for a swim! Kristin and Alvaro testing out if the water is warm enough for them (answer: NO).
The seagulls are watching on - thinking how daft tourists are... Rob realises that the water is NOT warm enough for a swim! Kristin and Alvaro testing out if the water is warm enough for them (answer: NO).
Arriving at Rygnestad we found and caught a lamb on the wrong side of the fence. Viv and Rich looking on as the secret is unravelled.
Arriving at Rygnestad we found and caught a lamb on the wrong side of the fence. Viv and Rich looking on as the secret is unravelled.
Olav is making a T for playing T-ball with. Viv, Rob and Rich were employed to blow up party balloons. Hild was employed to hang the balloons up around the dinner table.
Olav is making a T for playing T-ball with because and Bjørnar and Gry Hege got baseball gloves and a bat. Viv, Rob and Rich were employed to blow up party balloons. Hild was employed to hang the balloons up around the dinner table.
Gry Hege and Janet preparing the salad. Hild and Janet decorating the table. Adelheid working the BBQ while Rob looks on.
Gry Hege and Janet preparing the salad. Hild and Janet decorating the table. Adelheid working the BBQ while Rob looks on.
Rob opening the champagne. Rob pouring the champagne. The table with goody-bags, place settings and glasses ready for the champagne.
Rob opening the champagne. Rob pouring the champagne. The table with goody-bags, place settings and glasses ready for the champagne.
Janet and Olav with champagne. Cheers!!! Gry Hege, Janet and Bjørnar with soft drinks.
Janet and Olav with champagne. Cheers!!! Gry Hege, Janet and Bjørnar with soft drinks.
Yum, Yum, Yum - Everyone eating dinner. Yum, Yum, Yum - Everyone eating dinner. Yum, Yum, Yum - Everyone eating dinner.
Yum, Yum, Yum - Everyone eating dinner.
Håvard and Viv helping themselves to dinner. Viv and Janet's combined cake. The cake table.
Håvard and Viv helping themselves to dinner. Viv and Janet's combined cake. The cake table.
Entertainment by Alvaro and Rob and anyone who wanted to join in.    Alvaro and Rob playing and singing.
Entertainment by Alvaro and Rob and anyone who wanted to join in.
More entertainment by Alvaro - putting socks on his ears with Gry Hege and Bjørnar looking on.    Hild is not much of an entertainer, but she is very good at slam-dunking penguin biscuits...
Left: More entertainment by Alvaro - putting socks on his ears with Gry Hege and Bjørnar looking on.

Right: Hild is not much of an entertainer, but she is very good at slam-dunking penguin biscuits...
Kristin and Hild eating dinner. Janet, Adelheid and Håvard eating dinner. Olav and Rob eating dinner.
Kristin and Hild eating dinner. Janet, Adelheid and Håvard eating dinner. Olav and Rob eating dinner.
Paupi and Nico eating dinner.    Alvaro, Rich and Viv eating dinner.
Paupi, Nico, Alvaro, Rich and Viv eating dinner.
Gry Hege playing bongo drums. Bjørnar playing bongo drums. Bjørnar getting ready to play T-ball.
Gry Hege playing bongo drums. Bjørnar playing bongo drums. Bjørnar getting ready to play T-ball.

Then we all went for a walk in the mountains - to Voglumtveit to be more exact. It was a rainy day, so we were very grateful to Adelheid for having a cabin to take shelter in.
Rich, Rob, Hild and Viv grilling sausages on the bonfire at Voglumtveit. Rob, Viv, Janet, Kristin, and Bjørnar grilling sausages on the bonfire at Voglumtveit. Bjørnar, Adelheid, Paupi, Nico, and Olav grilling sausages on the bonfire at Voglumtveit.
Rich, Rob, Hild and Viv grilling sausages on the bonfire at Voglumtveit. Rob, Viv, Janet, Kristin, and Bjørnar grilling sausages on the bonfire at Voglumtveit. Bjørnar, Adelheid, Paupi, Nico, and Olav grilling sausages on the bonfire at Voglumtveit.
Grilling sausage with custom fitted bun.  An excellent example of a grilled sausage with custom fitted bun.
Grilling a sausage with custom fitted bun - and an excellent example of a grilled sausage with custom fitted bun.
Rich grilling a sausage  |   Rob, Viv and Janet enjoying the food  |   Alvaro, Paupi and Nico grilling marshmallows

Click on the links above to see a few all-action film-clips of the cosy atmosphere around the bonfire.
Everybody outside the cabin at Voglumtveit. Nico, Kristin, Rich, Viv and Paupi outside the cabin at Voglumtveit. Javelin competition at Voglumtveit.
Everybody outside the cabin at Voglumtveit. Nico, Kristin, Rich, Viv and Paupi outside the cabin at Voglumtveit. Javelin competition at Voglumtveit.
Rob throwing the javelin at Voglumtveit. Nico throwing the javelin at Voglumtveit. Rich throwing the javelin at Voglumtveit.
Rob, Nico and Rich doing their best in the javelin competition. It is still unclear who won and what the prize was...
The happy wanderers leaving the cabin at Voglumtveit. A lone sheep at Voglumtveit. Olav and Rob at Voglumtveit.
The happy wanderers leaving the cabin at Voglumtveit. A lone sheep at Voglumtveit. Olav and Rob at Voglumtveit.
Tired at Vasstøyl. Rob, Paupi and Nico. Almost back at the cars - at Vasstøyl. Back at the cars at Vasstøyl.
Tired at Vasstøyl. Rob, Paupi and Nico. Almost back at the cars - at Vasstøyl. Back at the cars at Vasstøyl.
Viv and Rich had to go home to the UK again, and they were travelling by sea from Stavanger. So what better opportunity to follow them part of the way? We set off on the 18th in a convoy of 3 cars: Viv, Rich, Olav, Janet, Alvaro, Nico, Paupi, Rob and Hild. It is an exciting road from Valle to Stavanger mainly because it is VERY narrow and because the sheep haven't grasped the danger of lying in the middle of the road when cars are approaching....
Sheep are always crowding around Janet. Paupi tries to avoid a close encounter! Alvaro talks to the sheep.
Sheep are always crowding around Janet. Paupi tries to avoid a close encounter! Alvaro talks to the sheep.
The whole convoy enjoying dinner at Kveven. Viv and Rich leaving the convoy for Stavanger and UK. Building a friendship cairn.
The whole convoy enjoying dinner at Kveven. Viv and Rich leaving the convoy for Stavanger and UK. Building a friendship cairn.
Nico, Paupi and Alvaro picking blueberries at Bjørnevatn. Look! They even found some of the very elusive There is always time for a quick indoor-sausage-BBQ-session.
Nico, Paupi and Alvaro picking blueberries at Bjørnevatn. Look! They even found some of the very elusive "Molte" (cloud berries)!! There is always time for a quick indoor-sausage-BBQ-session.
Time to leave - farewell to Systog... ... and farewell to Oppistog... ... over the mountain... across Oslofjorden on the ferry....
Time to leave - farewell to Systog... ... and farewell to Oppistog... ... over the mountain... across Oslofjorden on the ferry....
... getting terribly bored driving through Sweden... ... and finally in Copenhagen to secure one each of those wonderful 'kartofelkage' we had been dreaming and talking about (called 'potato cake' with no potato - more like an eclair). Then the last night arrived. Off back home to the USA!! Sunset at Kastrup airport.
... getting terribly bored driving through Sweden... ... and finally in Copenhagen to secure one each of those wonderful 'kartofelkage' we had been dreaming and talking about (called 'potato cake' with no potato - more like an eclair). Then the last night arrived. Off back home to the USA!! Sunset at Kastrup airport.
It was a great trip. The surprise factor was huge and everyone managed to keep the secret all the way up to our arrival. Amazing! The only thing we regret is that we didn't have more time at Rygnestad. We would have visited lots more people but time just didn't allow it. Ah well, next time we'll try to have a few more days - hopefully soon!

Hild & Rob, 2003
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