Exploring the Kolsas Range and then a visit to Grunnerlokke

Undeterred by all our walking yesterday, Andrew and Charlie set off early this morning for Kolsas.  Having arrived at the destination it took about 15 minutes to find a local who knew where to start the climb up the cliff to South Top.

View from South Top down to Kolsas Station.

View towards the Oslo centre.

A pretty lake on the top of the range which Charlie admired.  Showed no inclination to go in but he did have a little drink.











Charlie admiring the view, this time from North Top before heading down to catch the bus back

He is the king of the castle.

And for a complete change of scenery, in the afternoon we went to Grunnerlokke.  This is a former worker's district which has now been gentrified and it is known for its bakeries and simple restaurants.

A mural advertising the Mills brand of products.  We only know its tube of delicious caviar which is a staple both here and in Sweden.  Much better than their herrings :-)

A rather stern looking building which used to be worker's apartments and now serves as student accommodation.












One of the reasons we came to this district is that we were told that it was nice to walk by the Akerselva river which flows down from Maridal Lake.  It is a slice of wilderness right in the heart of the city.  We were surprised that instead of a tranquil, quiet stream, the river here is a wild torrent of swirling waters but we think this is just in this particular part of the riverfront.

This waterfall is just by the side of the student building.  The noise of the water forced through the narrow channel is very loud but I imagine one would get used to it after living by it for a while.  I wonder if it freezes in winter with all that movement?

In spite of limited access, someone managed to paint the side of the bridge.

Not a tranquil, peaceful riverside walk.  And to add insult to injury, the Mathallen, the Food Hall, is closed on Mondays.  It is an indoor food market with cafes, eateries and specialty shops featuring Norwegian products.

Another recommendation was one of the best coffee shops in Oslo, Tim Windelboe and Supreme Roast works.  But this proved another disappointment. We had Charlie with us and the outside space was a rather uninviting wooden bench.  Also the cafe is so serious about coffee that there are no pastries or anything to eat, only coffee for which, no doubt, the connoisseurs come.  I am afraid, give me welcoming WB Samson any day.  They have outside tables with large awnings over them in case of rain.  And as I have mentioned numerous times, their kanelboller are to die for.