From Holmenkollen to Maridalen

Andrew and Charlie walked 17km today enjoying their own friluftsliv.  First, they caught various forms of public transport up to Holmenkollen ski jump.

They explored around there.

A house with grass on the roof for insulation.  This is a traditional form of insulation in alpine areas in Scandinavia.

The view of Oslo centrum from the hilltop. Above shows the islands in the harbour area and below is a close-up of the area in which we live

Uncle Tom's Hut preschool at Voksenkollen. Local celebrity skier Tomm Murstad established the world's first children's ski school in 1934.  The children are brought in from city areas and are encouraged to explore freely outside. Norwegian royal children also attended the preschool  Nearby is a small lake; King Harald used to walk each day in the forests around the lake and his favourite track is clearly marked.

Charlie leading the way along a road through the forest. Some roads are fitted with lights so that people can go skiing at night in the winter.

Having a well deserved rest at Ullevalseten, a hostel with food and drink facilities in the middle of the forest.

The bush track part of the walk.

These two young mothers have just walked uphill to Ullevalseten, pushing their prams for six km from Sognsvann.  Now that is really practicing this Norwegian friluftsliv.

The walk finished near Maridalen, where Charlie decided that the half-hour wait for the bus was a good chance to rest and recover.