We thought we were looking after a big dog but Connie almost dwarfed our vizsla, Charlie. They played boisterously and I can tell you when they were both bounding towards me I was fearful that they would knock me for six. We estimate Charlie to be about 30 kg and when he steps on your foot, you can feel it.
Here they both are. I would definitely not like Connie to step on my foot.
Poor Charlie who is a very sociable dog has not been able to interact with any of his doggy friends because of this lethal disease that is killing dogs around Oslo. They still don't know what is causing it but they do not now think that it is contagious. So, after of over a week of seeing no other dogs, they were ecstatic to be together again. In between playing and running around madly, they also spent a great deal of time mounting each other.
In Norway, unlike Australia, it is not customary to sterilise dogs especially male dogs. Both Charlie and Connie are fully functioning male and female canines. Charlie had no notion whether Connie was in season or not, nor did he much care. They just enjoyed each other's company and frolicked in the weak Oslo sun.
We humans followed the playful dogs around and took a look at the medieval Cisterian monastery ruins on the island.
In 1532 the abbot was thrown into prison accused of political activities. The abbey was looted and set ablaze, this ending 400 years of monastic activity at Hovedoy. The site was later used as a quarry for stone for Akerhus Fortress. The remaining ruins are nevertheless among the most complete of a medieval Norwegian monastery.
We climbed to the uppermost point on the island where we enjoyed magnificent 210 degree views of Oslo and other smaller islands. Line explained how on these smaller islands people used to go camping, First they pitched tents, then they erected crude temporary shelters, then more solid structures. Eventually these evolved into small cottages which are now strictly regulated and serve as holiday cottages for the city dwellers and they are all worth a small fortune.
A panoramic view of Oslo. As usual, the photograph cannot to justice to the beauty of the sight that meets the eye.
Another panorama of some of the other islands.
A view of Astrup Fearnley Museum from the ferry. Designed by Renzo Piano, this private contemporary art museum is housed in a wonderful building of silvered wood, with a sail-like glass roof that feels both maritime and at one with the Oslofjord landscape. We plan to visit it later in our last week here and have a closer look. I am not sure the modern art contained in it attracts me, but I want to see the building close up.
This is the close up view but in fact, I prefer the view we had from the ferry.
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