Short Oslo visit

My dear Dad drove me to the trainstation at Kjelsås today. I was going to go back to Kristiansand with the 11.11 train from Oslo S, so he thought it convenient to take the train down to the city. It turned out to be a bit nerve wrecking...
Yesterday I had a morning date with Wendy, a percussionist (former student of the dad!), at 08.30.
We took the bus to Kristiansand Airport together. We were both going to Oslo with the 10.30 flight. I was going there for a funeral and to visit the cello doctor, Wendy for the written exam for her lisence.
I had my fridge with me, so I had included some negotiation time on the airport. Luckily I didn't need any, except for checking in. My booking number wasn't valid. Hooray.
Wendy and I split up at Gardermoen, and when I came to Oslo S, I realized that I had some spare time before I had the short rehearsal with the organ-player at 13. I rang my sister, and she had 30 min. break, so I jumped on a bus and visited her at school. My first time to Elvebakken VGS. It was great to see where she's spending so much time!
Then I headed off to Helsfyr.
No problem.
Looked for the krematorium (it's just a chapelle now, but it used to be a krematorium until august).
No problem.
Asked for a place to warm up.
N problem.
Where were the organ player? And when to play? Where?
some problems.
When he finally came, we had 3 min. of tempo setting, and then he was off.
Problem!
The place was a maze, we had very little time left, and we had not even been through the Swan. Well, it all went well. Luckily. Despite that the Swan was more like an old one, struggling to breathe and absolutely not ready for takeoff. But it pleased the family, so I should not complain.
Afterwords, I met Mum for a coffee at the central station. We met Guro on our way too, so she joined us.
It was a very pleasant coffee date, I could have one every day!
At 16 I was on my way to Urs, the magic sound doctor for my cello. I spent around 1.5 hours in his workshop, and now it's almost as nice as it was in May. The dryness of autumn makes strange things with my wooden soundbox, but we're experimenting with millimetres and it works.
Then I could catch my bus to Dads house and see Pauline and Helene. My sister is having Desucon this weekend so we were bleaching her hair, sewing a belt and being very creative. And then watching True Blood. Finally.
And this morning I got to see my Dad too, before he drove me to the trainstation. He got very nervous on my behalf because the train didn't show up. It turned out to be 15 min. late, and then I would miss my second train. Next train would be too late for me; I wouldn't be there for the premiere of La Boheme. ooops.
But 11.11 I was well seated in my train, and now I'm on my way out the door to play some beautiful music in a way too small pit.

Lilies

Pauline grows them in the garden, and now around sunset they smell intense and delicious!

Tur med far og Pauline!

Saturday - and it was such a beatiful spring weather that being inside would have been an insult to nature. Dad took us for a walk up to Ullevålseter past Skjærsjøen. It took us a bit longer time than usual, because he had brought his camera. Every now and then off the track; down by the stream, barking up the tree (haha) - always looking for a good shot of beauty.
Up at Ullevålseter we sat down outside, drank our own tea and ate homemade muffins a'la Pauline. Yummie!!!!!
And we got a four legged friend called Rambo. He was 5 months old, very playful, and with a cute face somewhat resembling a gremlin.
On our way back home we stopped by the Bakke farm for a quick hello. Yeah, right. There is no such thing as a quick hello with my family, and absolutely not there. Randi called us in to the kitchen for some coffee, and were offered some delicious homemade bread. Then we had to see the newborn lamb. It was premature - a tiny creature! It had not yet found its way around his mum to find his food, nor had he understood the point of sucking anything. Even swallowing was a challenge. Yet, he was wagging his tale.
It was hard to leave him for the second last performance of Don Q.

Sunday dinner

Pauline invited her russian orthodox part of her family and her mum over for dinner. A true american one, with stuffed turky, mango chutney, mashed potatoes and as company for the coffee-gonger cake. Knert, we missed you! Here, the tired but happy hostess relaxing in the rocking chair.