2geonomads

Monday 16th June 2014.

Erik has already set off on his bike ride to his office by the time we appear for a very leisurely breakfast.  Blue skies once again so while Erik is keeping the wheels of the Norwegian industry moving we have decided to make the most of this glorious weather and drive out to a nearby lake, Semsvannet, for a short walk. We pick up Bobben and Annie and after a short drive arrive in a beautiful rural setting from where we set off around the lake. Bobben is in very fine form today and he really steps it out on what becomes a fairly lengthy hike. In fact Bobben sets the pace for much of the time and on a couple of occasions rejects suggestions that we should turn back to the car park area.

Annie Bobben Torill

The Crown Prince of Norway resides in this area so it’s good to be able to rub shoulders with royalty, albeit at a distance!

We eventually make our way back to the cafe at the start of the walk and Bobben kindly treats us all to coffee and VERY filling waffles.

A dinner is planned at Bobben’s for that evening so we drop Bobben and Annie off at his house  and get back to E and T’s just in time to see Erik arrive back from work earlier than usual. Obviously, the wheels of industry in Norway are not as dependant on Erik Haug Hansen as we thought!

Bobben is providing the venue for the BBQ/ dinner but Erik and his younger brother Tore are actually preparing the meal. Erik, therefore, walks down to Bobben’s ahead of Torill, Gail and myself to start the ball rolling.

When we join the party we catch up with young Tore and Espen, Bobben’s middle son, who had worked at Ladybird for a time when I was working there. It’s good to meet up with them again,reminisce over the old times, and to meet Espen’s Brazilian fiancée, Janie. Unfortunately, Tore’s wife, Annelene, couldn’t be with us on this occasion. However, Niklas does arrive and acts as resident photographer, taking snaps of all of the oldies for posterity. The only grandchild missing is Sunniva, Erik and Torill’s daughter who is studying veterinary science in Budapest. However, we had been able to have quick chat with her  on Skype the previous evening.

Janie, Espen, Annie, Bobben, Tore, David,Torill, Eric

What follows is yet another fantastic meal, with Tore putting his special stamp on the many of the dishes and this memorable family get-together is in some ways for Gail and myself a fairly emotional reminder of the many wonderful meals we have enjoyed with Bobben and his very special family out on the patio overlooking the garden during our long friendship.

Gail and I stay for a short chat with Bobben and Annie after everyone else has left and then say our farewells to this lovely couple.

Erik definitely getting to bed early as I think The Obese Ferret has worn out this hard-working fellow by his late night chatter. Apart from anything else G and I have to leave early next day for the train to Oslo airport.

Cheers

The Obese Ferret.