Tali was fighting off a bad sore throat and I took her to a doctor on Monday. He insisted that it was a virus and that the best thing to do was to watch her temperature and get lots of rest. So back home and back to bed for her! I then took Carolyn to Sandnes where we wandered around, shopped, ate at the Pasta Bakery, visited Knut at work and walked back home. The weather was OK, at least it didn't rain and we had a great day together.
On Tuesday, we had a nice visit with Bjørn and Arnlaug in the late morning before the three of us took a drive to Byrkjedalstunet where we looked around and did lots of shopping. There we met Linda and the exchange students who were on a tour together. Then we drove past Gloppedalsura (a huge, 10,000 year old rockslide) and down Gloppedalen. We stopped everywhere that had things to sell and Tali and Carolyn did them all justice :) We drove home along the beaches, past Obrestad Lighthouse and the Old Hå Vicarage. It was a long but very fun day. Tali took pictures out of the back window as fast as her fingers could press the button on her new lovely camera from Nick. At times she yelled for me to stop the car and back up so she could capture just the right tractor picture. She captured farms, cows, barns, tractors and sheep. Quite a change from other tourists who concentrate on waterfalls and mountains :) It was lots of fun.
That evening Knut made a delicious lamb dinner for us. It was a great dinner as only Knut can make. We all ate our fill, then Carolyn, Tali and I sat down to watch The matrix. It was the first time for both Carolyn and I and the 20th time (more or less) for Tali!
The 16th was Linda's birthday and true to tradition we woke her up in the morning with a song, a candle and a few gifts. It was to be a busy day for her and Casey as Casey was to go with the other Tiverton students on a tour in Sandnes while Linda had to stay home and do some homework. So Carolyn, Tali, Casey and I took a short trip into the arboretum to look at the rhodoendrons that weren't quite in full bloom, but we got a good idea of how noce it could be. Then we dropped casey off with the other students, while the three of us went to Figgjo to look at the porcelain factory outlet. They made a good dent in their stock supply before we went back to Sandnes for some final shopping. We stopped for lunch at the "Melkebaren" where Tali did her best to talk me into coming back in the evening for a few beers. But since I insisted that Tali was on strict de-tox after the wild parties in London and her sore throat, we stayed home that evening.
That evening there was another soccer game and Knut, Thomas, linda and Casey went to see it while the three of us went up to Bjørn and Arnlaug's for one last visit before we headed home to start packing. It was quite a job to get everything packed but after leaving all uncessary items here (hair drier, deodorant, cosmetics and such) they managed to get everything packed. The bags were overweight, so I hope they didn't have to pay too much extra when leaving England for Minnesota. Tali and I stayed up quite late that night talking and reminiscing about her trip here in 2001 and I heard all about Nick who sounds like a great guy and I am looking forward to meeting him. Time flew by and we finally had to go to sleep.
On the 17th we were up bright and early to get ready for the parade. Linda wore her national costume again and Tali documented well with her camera while I helped her get dressed. Then we all walked down to Sandnes to see the childrens parade. It was quite an experience for them, seeing all the people dressed in their best clothes, waving the Norwegian flag and singing songs. The weather was beautiful and we all had a nice time. Thomas, Linda and Casey were in the parade with their schools and it was fun.
Then it was back home, Knut made a nice dinner while they packed the last of their things. We ate and poof! off to the airport - it seemed like it was only a few hours ago we arrived. It sure was sad to say goodbye, as usual. But we had a great time together and I hope they some back soon!-Reb