Melting rain fell today for the first time this spring giving hope to the mammoth task of having the football ground ready for the opening game in four days time. Tractors, manpower and sprinklers have been utilised in the efforts to transform the pitch from white to green. Progress is definitely being made, but by looking at the remaining mass, I remain skeptical.
The drama school's upcoming theatre production 'Tåkethavet' (translation: The misty sea) is in its final days of preparation. The dedicated staff behind the original play are working day and night to meet deadlines ahead of the opening performance. Costumes need to be finished, sets need to be completed and smoke machines need to be tested.
A scorching 12 degrees. A great day for a journalist from Alta to come to Øksfjord and interview a few of us 'New Øksfjordians' and find out why we love to live here. Hopefully the feature,to be run in June, will serve as some positive advertising and entice a few up this way.
The sounds of springtime echoed throughout the sunny streets this afternoon. It looked like a scene from a 1950s TV series as teenagers fished with worms from the pier and primary school kids raced their bikes up and down hills. Dogs were vigorously walked, seagulls gathered in flocks and made threatening noises and verandahs were scraped clean of the final remnants of snow.
It hasn't snowed or rained for weeks, yet the kindergarten kids are soaked daily from top to toe. The annual melting season has created icy rivers and slush puddles throughout the playground, bringing smiles to the bucket wielding kiddie brigade.
The momentum is gaining within the Øksfjord fitness community. There was a large turnout at Interval training, which saw dedicated individuals of all ages and fitness levels give it their best efforts.
Early season fishing tourists have enjoyed great weather and serene experiences. Recent traffic within the surrounding fjords have included a ton of cod, kayaks and killer whales.
Meanwhile, the entire Australian born Øksfjordian population celebrated ANZAC day with shepards pie and vegemite on toast.
Øksfjord had a visit from a star of sorts today. Singer songwriter, comedian and nationally known personality 'Bare Egil' performed with a friend for 80 students, teachers and curious onlookers. He is a unique talent, who mixes political satire and adult issues with a childish twist that makes him enjoyable to listen to on a range of different levels. Some of the lyrics shot way above the kiddies heads but the adults in the school gymnasium chuckled loudly.
Posters have been attached to the various noticeboards around town, outlining the information for the inaugural 'Øksfjord mile' in mid May. Runners, walkers, joggers and strollers of all levels of fitness are encouraged to enjoy the fun!
The melting processes have been set in motion. Items that have been lost for months have reappeared like thousand year old fossils. Single gloves, woolly hats, toys, keys, mobile phones, trampolines and even cars have begun to emerge from their icy tombs. Birds and inects have also returned from hibernation and children have studied flies with the excitement of a botanist that has just discovered a new species.
Although the official midnight sun season is a few weeks away, the days no longer dissolve into total darkness, but rather adapt a blue and red tinge that quickly become the initial hint of the next sunrise.
Right now, there are few better places to be.
Despite the lack of fences, the odd neighbourly dispute can still arise. The papers have caught hold of an ugly disagreement between a group of holiday cottage owners. The argument pertains to the removal of snowage from their shared road as the costs for someone to plow during the winter is to be shared among the occupants. All agreed to share the costs except for one gentleman who owns a four wheel drive, that can, apparently drive right through the snow.
The big car, cottage owning man says that he is being harrassed to share the costs and has taken the matter to a higher level.
Let's hope for an early summer...
The local education union group today undertook the Norwegian equivalent of island hopping. With a hired fast boat, the party of 12 enjoyed a night on the fjords. The destination was Sør Tverrfjord, a quaint village with a population of 21. This gem of a place offers century old British boat wrecks, ghosts and 70 year old Norwegian mythology paintings created by Nazi German soldiers during the war.
One would expect fresh halibut and potatoes from such a place, yet the meal was provided by a talented Thai cook, who lived 11 kilometres down the road.
Just another Friday adventure!
This idyllic village has now served up seven straight days with the standard clear blue sky and crisp, golden sunlight that injects that feeling that makes you want to skip, run and jump like a 5 year old. Today Øksfjord was a picture of fitness as bicycles replaced sleds and trendy Asics runners had taken over from their spiked equivalent. A large group of sporty Øksfjordians are in training for the 10 kilometre challenge in Tromsø in late June and their dedication is contagious.
Other happenings include an exhibition of one local artist's quality works, the kid run cafe at the Primary School and rehearsals for the upcoming theatre production.
Thank you Øksfjord for showing your true colours over the past four days. My guests from Sydney could not speak highly enough of the local kindness and hospitality. They soaked up the constant sunshine and took in the stunning, early springtime scenery. They enjoyed the serenity of our beautiful, peaceful village, the politeness of our neighbours and even the taste of our brown cheese. Their departure today via the majestic 'Nordlys' Hurtigruten was complimented wonderfully by the talented saxophonist performing live on the top deck with a sublime mountainous backdrop. Not a bad advertisment for this tiny arctic village.
Spread the word my friends and please come back soon.
Visiting from Sydney, Australia we have been amazed with the stunning scenery and peacefulness that Øksfjord has provided. With perfect blue skies and long days this place is a hidden paradise with days filled with skiing on the frozen lake to relaxing in the winter sun reading a book.
The only criticism but possible business venture for somebody is a lack of a coffee shop where the locals, tourists and fishermen can relax and take in the wonderful views of the surrounding mountains with a coffee and newspaper. Despite this, Øksfjord is well worth the short flight and drive to get here and we will certainly return again :)
The tourist season is in full swing. The fishing boats are being prepared for the various visitors from England, Germany and Lativa, to name a few. After many meetings and discussions, the summer jetty boat place lottery was finally conducted. The additional spots were attached today in anticipation of some fine fishing conditions in the weeks ahead.
Meanwhile, there are those enjoying the post Easter conditions as snow mobiles, mountain skis and snowboards remain in constant use. Long days and minus degrees have brought smiles to the snow bunnies who have endured a long wait through a dark and mostly snowless winter.
It's good to be here.
Arrival of tourists from Australia today and the bright blue skies allowed the northern newbies to gasp at the passing scenery from airport Alta to Øksfjord town. They wasted no time in attaching skis to their virgin feet and attacking the frozen lake. The skills were varied but the experience was memorable.
As the snow starts to fade, it is soon decision time once again. To change or or not to change. The transition from winter to summer tyres can be tricky. Change too late and those expensive metal spikes wear down to nothing. Change too early and a suprise May snowfall can cause slippery problems.
Efforts are underway to clear the metre high snow from the football ground in time for the season.There are certain methods and procedures that can be used to 'quicken spring's arrival'. In fact, verandahs, driveways and front lawns are being treated and groomed in a race to rid the white stuff.
Tractors and plows have layed melting lines across the football ground, so that the sun can do its job more effectively. Salt and spades have been effective in resolving ice issues that have prevented the opening of garage doors.
Spring is finally around the corner and we are all running to meet it.
More reflections of Øksfjord in the local rag. The 'Hurtigruten' coastal steamer stops twice a day. Beside the port is a waiting room for those wishing to escape the cold, snow and wind. The dirty, smelly rubbish bin of a shelter acts as temporary accommodation for those travelling north, arriving at 02:15 and unable to catch the ferry home until the next morning. The overnight possibilities are limited at best, as even those who have pre booked at the hotel, find the doors locked and the phone off the hook.
Come on Øksfjord, it's time to show your colours and receive some positive feedback.
The thermometer reached a sizzling nine degrees today and it made a total mess of the town. The slush left on the roads caused chaos as cars remained stranded unable to make it up the steepest hills. One of the snow plows is out of order and as the melting is widespread, our little town remains low on the priority ladder. Despite cautious driving, the tyres would not grip, making 85 year old pensioners drive like Finnish rally drivers.
Overcoming the hazardous conditions, the 9th grade kids and parents conducted a bottle collecting fundraiser to go towards their own London adventure next year.
Well it's snowing again, although the locals appear to be more optimistic today. You see, this particular brand of snow is known as melting snow and apparently it helps to dissolve the old snow and the snow that has turned to ice and the powder snow that has turned into heavy snow.
According to the media, Øksfjord has one of the highest rates of sick leave in the country. There are many different degrees of sickness. One can be 50 % sick, 25 % sick and sick every second Tuesday. Perhaps too much mountain air is the cause, too much of a good thing.
A few houses are on the market here in Øksfjord. When I say on the market, I don't mean colourful, shiny photos of the property posted on to the local real estate agent's window or on the website or even in the middle pages of the local paper.
If the owners are organised, a nicely worded note with a summertime happy snap of the dwelling might be pinned to the crowded noticeboard within the supermarket. However, most advertising is by way of a cleverly released rumour, followed by word of mouth that will spread like wildfire in no time at all.
For those familiar with cricketing terminology, 'A Northern Exposure' has raised the bat today by reaching 100 days and 100 words. There is little cricket in Øksfjord but the football season is only weeks away. This means that the football ground must be ready for kick off in the beginning of May. As the snow levels rises above a metre, it will take a massive effort from volunteers to clear it in time.
Easter Monday was a celebration of Norway's outdoor culture. A large group gathered on the lake under the bright morning sunshine and enjoyed sausages, cake and coffee.
The day after Easter Eve, known also as Easter Sunday provided chocolate rabbits, an indoor egg hunt, chicken sculptures, Easter trees covered with feathers and hanging painted eggs and a perfect natural backdrop of blues and whites. As most enjoyed a family dinner of roast lamb and the obligatory potatoes, others slogged up to the mountain tops before using only minutes to travel dowhill using a variety of skiing techniques.
The snow attack stopped and while most assessed the damage, some dedicated pensioners, who had managed to keep the snow level under control, were enjoying their hard earned asphalt.
It is the lone Saturday that sits in the midst of the Easter holiday sandwich. In Øksfjord it is referred to as Easter Eve and although it is not a public holiday, the buying and selling of alcohol is bound by some quirky laws. As it is an 'eve', or the day preceding a public holiday, wine and spirits are unable to be purchased from the aptly named 'Wine Monopoly'.
This rule also applies to Christmas Eve and incredibly New Years Eve. Beer, cider, cigarettes and fireworks can, however, be freely bought and consumed at one's leisure. Cheers!
I admit that my descriptions can at times dissolve into a miserably boring account of the Øksfjord weather. In my defence, however, most of the conversations I have with the neighbours concern snowfall, rainfall, the temperature and wind.
I have tried to report on more interesting topics such as naughty dogs and dodgy tunnels, yet today I must revert to my old ways. It has absolutely flopped down with the white stuff over the past five days. Cars, swingsets and trampolines have disappeared and those attempting to ski have found themselves wading waist deep in powder snow.
It is little wonder that the world's worst tunnel, which is situated just twelve kilometres from Øksjord is starting to cause problems at this time of year. As the tourists begin to invade, the confusing, ice ravaged tunnel tests the patience of all who dare to drive through it.
Unfortunately, there is only one road out of town and the old road was closed years ago due to the risk of avalanches. The tunnel was created as a safe alternative, although the dark, single laned, rocky hallway with no signage is an ironic tragedy in waiting.
The annual Easter panic is upon us again. Many stores are closed for four or five days and by the amount of goods that the Øksfjordians are stacking into their trolleys, one could be forgiven for believing a Russian invasion was imminent.
Even the newspapers are printed in advance, which can result in some embarrassing situations. This was the case when Norway's two biggest rivals simultaneously ran front page weather predictions for the all important Easter period. VG promised 'warmth and super sunshine', while it's rival Dagbladet guaranteed 'a cold snap' engulfing the entire country.
As has been mentioned before, English football is taken very seriously in Øksfjord. The local paper has reported an incident between a Manchester and a Liverpool supporter. Apparently a party was heading long into the night when the well lubricated Liverpool follower began to sing the Anfield anthem "You'll never walk alone", while dropping his trousers and bearing his backside in an attempt to provoke the Manchester supporter.
In what perhaps was a slight overreaction, the equally juiced United fan grabbed a long wooden paper towel holder and inserted it in an uncomfortable place.
Øksfjord is a bit of a ghost town during the Easter break. Many people travel to their 'holiday cottage' at every opportunity. The decision to leave a quaint town on the fjord with a general store and a kiosk and travel by ferry to a quaint Island with a similar population, a general store and a kiosk seems weird to me. The other and more popular Easter option is at the bottom of the fjord, where a large portion of the Øxfjord population haul caravans and snow mobiles and discuss the unseasonal weather.
A family made an astounding discovery today while fishing on the frozen lake. As they pulled in the second trout for the day, they noticed that there was somthing sticking out of its mouth. A closer inspection revealed part of a ticket from the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics. How the ticket ended up in the fish's mouth is anyone's guess.
In other news, the council has announced that the Øksfjord festival will be headlined this year by a group of dolphins from Bergen which will perform their tricks in the Vassdalen lake.
