Day:91, Words:91

Invitations are being sent out for the comfirmation ceremonies which occur each spring for the year 9s. It is a long celebrated tradition in which the parents go to enormous trouble in arranging the party after the formalities have concluded at the church. These events rival some weddings and securing a venue involves a lengthy application process and a lottery.

The weather forecast for the Easter break looks ominous, so the locals took advantage of the afternoon sunshine. Kindergarten skiers, excited dogs and ice fishermen were spotted on Vassdalen's frozen lake.

 

 

Day:90, Words:90

For many, this snowy Friday marked the start of Easter holidays. Easter in Øksfjord means snowmobiles, long treks on skis, caravans and escaping to holiday cottages. The kindergarten today held an Easter lunch and the kids spent the day diligently making their yellow, feathery chickens.

Controversy continues over the discussions regarding the possible school closures after summer, which will surely have dire consequences for the small villages affected. In other news, the church is holding a meeting to discuss what kind of music is to be used in future services.

 

Day:89, Words:89

The clocks were changed forward last week in anticipation of the upcoming summer. In England, this concept offers a chance to enjoy some more sunlight after work. A chance to play in the park with the kids, or have a hit of tennis in the early evening.

Today in Øksfjord, the extra light formed the perfect backdrop for the kids skiing training.

 

In a few short weeks, the extra hour will be of no consequence to Øksfjordians as they enjoy the phenomenon of over two months without a sunset.

 

Day:88, Words:88

The teenagers were up early and negotiated their way successfully through the busiest airport on the planet.

 

Farewell London, we will miss your kindness and your charm. We will miss your cosy atmosphere, your hectic underground, your buskers, your springtime sunshine, your parks, your free museums and galleries. We will miss your golden statues, your musicals, your markets and your culinary delights. We will miss your football passion, your posh accents, your jam and marmalade, your trashy newspapers and your refreshing diversity

Hello snow, hello serenity, hello Øksfjord!!

 

 

 

Day:87, Words:87

If you depised the concept of Americanised, commercialised fast food, you would be advised to move to Northern Norway. Øksfjordians need to travel over 1000km to order a Big Mac. Coffee is consumed black, although cognac may be added on special occassions.

In London, McDonalds and Burger King are fast becomming outdated as express Japanese, Indian and Turkish restaurants are threatening to send Colonel Sanders out of business. In terms of coffee, Starbucks require you to complete a three day course before being qualified to order.

 

 

Day:86, Words:86

The Øksfjord hotel is a square concrete box. It is one of the most uninspiring buildings in Northern Norway. It is in desparate need of a paint and the crack ridden asphalt car park that greets the guests could do with some greenery. Interestingly, the fishing tourists flock to the village each year and the no vacancy sign is lit up from April until late September.

The Øksfjordian teenagers are enjoying their twelve strory central London hotel, despite the slow lifts and the odd flooded room.

 

 

Day:85, Words:85

Øksfjordians love their football and during the home games, dozens of people turn out to cheer on their local team despite the lack of success. It is a far cry from 80s when Øksfjord ruled supreme within Northern Norway.

Whether football crazy or not, the group soaked up the traditional English football atmosphere as 20,000 pasionate and possibly drunk Leeds and Milwall supporters barracked their hearts out. The game itself was not full of highlights, yet it will be a day not forgotten easily.

 

 

Day:84, Words:84

London: A glorious day in the capital as the teenage small towners from Norway witnessed the mega city at its best. Picnics in the park, frisbee catching dogs and tourists and locals alike licking ice-creams and sunning themselves upon the lush grass of Kensington Gardens on this perfect Saturday.

Øksfjord: A glorious day in the village as the warming weather left enough snow for the family activity day on the hill. Sausages in bread, hot chocolate, skiing and sledding enured all round smiles.

 

 

 

Day:83, Words:83

Queen Lizzie has been on the throne of England for over 60 years. We watched the changing of the guards today and the masses crowding her front gate and wondered if she even bothered to look out the window anymore.


Police, bag searching men and various anti terrorist personal in uniforms are always within an arm's length in London.


In Øksfjord, the sighting of a police car twice in the same month draws suspicion and paranoia and sends rumors whizzing around the village.

 

 

Day:82, Words:82

Øksfjordians are used to the generous amount of space they have. They enjoy quiet roads, the rarity of traffic lights and the trickle of melting rivers.

London on the other hand is a source of constant sirens and raging activity. It celebrates diversity, both good and bad. It releases a deluge of ugly advertising and bad air.

London is a compromise of what is beautiful and rotton in the world and these teenagers are taking it in and growing with each day.

 

 

Day:81, Words:81

London bound with 16 wide eyed teenagers, some of them experienced travellers, some with their faces pressed hard to the window on their flight debut. Plane boarding etiquette, it appears, is a way off being perfected. As the announcement was made, it was as if the new ipad 3 had been promised to the first 50 customers.

Ooohs and aahs were heard as the airport express train pulled into Victoria station. Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore...

 

 

Day:80, Words:80

Happy vernal equinox! Today, night and day are equal and it also means the first official day of spring. Despite the minus degrees, the frozen lake and the snowed in garage door, there was definitely something in the air today. The light is changing and the birds are starting to make more noise. The kids are active and the ski track is busy. Excited teenagers are packing furiously in anticipation of an early morning departure to London Town. Bon voyage..

 

 

Day:79, Words:79

A snow avalanche took six hikers in nearby Kåfjord and was responsible for at least one death. Such tragedies are unfortunately a part of life up here and Øksfjord has had its fair share of heartache. Despite the safety measures, such as mountain barriers and tunnels, these disasters occur all too often. It was only months ago when the main road was closed due to a massive boulder, that had ironically rolled itself onto the open section of road.

 

Day:78, Words:78

Only three days until 16 pumped teenagers embark on their week long adventure to London. It seems extraordinary that this small community can support a new group of kids each year and raise the funds necessary to send them to the English capital. The class has been saving since the 5th grade and fund raising activities have included cake lotteries, bottle recycling, cafes, calendars, cinema duties and a flea market. Let's hope London is ready for this lot.

 

 

Day:77, Words:77

Another Saturday morning where several Øksfjordian parents rose at 6 to drive the two hours to Alta for another judo tournament. Committed parents make regular trips, ranging from two to eight hours to far flung places for various sporting and cultural activities.

An important council meeting has been scheduled to discuss some important issues, including the controversial summer season boat place lottery system.

The ice fishing season has been declared open. Grab your drills, chairs and rods.

 

Day:76, Words:76

The years 8,9 and 10 from Øksfjord school and a handful of kids from across the fjord in Nuvsvåg headed to the Alta Alpine Centre. By Alpine Centre, I mean of course, a cafe and one t-bar lift. Still, the rain kept away and the enthusiastic teenagers attached skis and snowboards, some for the first time. Just kilometres away, a woman and her 8 huskies won the most prestigious dog sled race in Norrhern Europe.

 

Day:75, Words:75

Every Thursday is outdoor school day in Øksfjord. Rain, hail, sleet or shine, all kids from grades one to seven are outside for the entire day. As they say; no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. Today the kidlets wrapped themselves in full snowplay gear and enjoyed the sunny conditions. Sausages were cooked, sleds were driven and snow villages were constructed. Who needs social studies and isosceles triangles on a day like today....

 

 

Day:74, Words:74

One day can make a big difference in the snow industry. It flopped down all night and day. Heavy snow was the verdict from the locals. Apparently there are over 100 different categories of snow. Wet snow, dry snow, light snow, fluffy snow, slush, spring, icy and old snow to name a few. Not to mention the various options of snow removal. Plastic, metal or fibreglass shovel, double handled pusher or petrol driven machine.

 

Day:73, Words:73

A staff meeting at Øksfjord's Høgtun school, offering the most breathtaking office views in the northern hemisphere, was rudely interrupted by two enormous sea eagles floating on a southern wind just a few metres from the window. Yesterday a large group of white sided dolphins known in these parts as springers entertained lunching teachers. As the magnificent mammels playfully danced alongside fishing boats, the conversation changed tack. "Delicious meat, those springers, very tender."

 

 

 

Day:72, Words:72

The year 8s, 9s and 10s from Øksfjords's Høgtun school are meant to be heading to Alta for a day of downhill skiing and snowboarding on Friday. Cross country skiing is the norm around here, so the chance to hit the closest alpine slopes is exciting. It is touch and go however, as the unusual March rain and warmth is threatening the relatively small amount of snow. Who would have thought it?

 

Day:71, Words:71

 Combining Sunday with an adequate amount of snow, warmish winds and a bright blue sky was a masterstroke. Øksfjordians of all ages took advantage of the fine conditions and skied across the frozen lake in Vassdalen. At the other end of the lake stands a lone cottage that was built in the 1950s and if he is about, the owner will happily invite you in for a coffee and a chat.

 

Day:70, Words:70

 South Island is a hop, skip and a swim away from Øksfjord. The ferry takes one hour to reach this weekend fishing paradise. Yesterday a local managed to hook and drag in the biggest cod ever caught in Europe. The massive fish weighed an astonishing 42 kg and was 147 cm long, ironically the same measurements as Kylie Minogue when she appeared on the cover of Greece's Big Fish magazine.

 

Day:69, Words:69

 While the rest of Europe enjoys Springtime, It can be argued that only two seasons are enjoyed up here; a white winter and a green winter. As the green winter approaches, it is time to take the boats out of the sheds and submit forms for the harbour boat space lottery next week. The lucky ones can board like gentlemen, the unfortunates will struggle with ropes, buoys and anchors.

 

 

Day:68, Words:68

 Every second Thursday is bin day in Øksfjord. There is one rubbish bin for each household and several colour coded plastic bags for each waste category. Red is for paper, a slightly larger red bag is for hard cardboard. Orange  is for light cardboard and milk cartons, green is for organic and blue is plastic. Glass must be discarded in the  dark green bin between 12 and 2.

 

Day:67, Words:67

 Two weeks from today, the 10th grade students of Øksfjord will leave the comfort of their peaceful, snowy village to embark on a megacity adventure in London. Each year, a group of 15 and 16 year olds travel to the British capital with a couple of brave teachers and enjoy a week of local football games, musicals, museums, restaurants and high street shopping. Babes in the woods!!

 

 

Day:66, Words:66

 The Øksfjordians and Øksfjordlets really have a lot of activities to choose from. On today's menu is 0 to 10 year old swimming, judo training, junior boys and old boys football. In addition, the floodlit cross country ski track is open, an important board meeting for the teachers union is scheduled and the fourth grade is having a fire drill, complete with smoke and fire engines.

 

Day:65, Words:65

A few houses are on the market in Øksfjord. Although demand appears to outweigh supply, the prices remain at 1964 levels. The market value of houses is about a third of what it costs to build. For about $80,000 Australian, one can purchase a cosy,three bedroom, cottage with a large balcony overlooking a magical mounain lined fjord, full of whales, dolphins, eagles and  ferries.

 

Day:64, Words:64

 A successful Sparkefest. Clear and warmish weather (0 degrees), fast sparking conditions, great food and drink, enjoyable, accordian free, live music, short and sweet fireworks and a large group of pleasant, friendly and content Øksfjordians. The pastel theme was well received with bright coloured pants, blinding shirts and fancy contact lenses. Spicy scampi, bear meat and chocolate mousse were among the many scrumptious dishes. 

 

 

Day:63, Words:63

 Øksfjord is not over flowing with children, so birthday parties are populated with kids of all ages, producing interesting social dynamics. The buzz around the village is all about the Sparkefest tonight, a group of 14 secret progressive dinner parties on sleds run simultaneously. The theme is pastel, the conditions are sloppy and everyone is looking forward to some traditional Northern Norwegian fun!

 

Day:62, Words:62

 A four page liftout in the local Alta newspaper was dedicated to the salmon fishing card lottery. Salmon fishing in the Alta river is so popular that only 700 fortunate fishermen receive the opportunity annually. This year, the fishing gods smiled favourably upon four joyous lads from Øksfjord, who look forward to a long season standing waist deep in an Arctic river.

 

Day:61, Words:61

 An Øksfjord family visited the burial site of a loved one, only to find it covered in a pile of dirt as a fresh grave was being prepared beside them. The family was livid and complained, the council apologised and all was well until two days later when fresh tractor tracks were discovered on four more sites. 

A grave mistake indeed!