Poking my nose "and camera" into an empty restaurant.

I liked the way they had arranged the table.

Yesterday as well as today, has been busy at the private (Rudolf) Steiner school and kindergarden where they hold the annual Christmas marked.

There were sales of hand made products, many nice and artistic gifts. Pupils as well as parents and teachers entertained visitors. I had my lovely "aebleskiver"... yummy!!:-) And had a little shopping tour around in the very special buildings. One day I will show you some photos of the architecture.

Saturday afternoon in one of the narrow little roads in the city centre.

As you can see we have got some decorations and lights up. The light issue has been discussed for weeks, on local TV and in the newspapers. Those who have the responsibility for arrangements and decorating in the centre have struggled to get the money, 400.000 Norwegian kroner that was necessary to cover the costs. But now that struggle is history. Now there is a competition to find the best decorated window. I will "keep walking" and take a proper look....

I have just arrived back from a film evening together with people at the Italian Culture group.

My Italian is not good, so it is essential for me to read the text in English.

Anyway, I do like Italian films....

The trailer you can see here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AkosFliKG8

This is PIER GIORGIO (half Italian ;-) and SILKE who is from Germany, but speaks Norwegian very well and also goes to Italian lessons.

I am pleased that our city has quite a few Culture groups!

Info about the Italian group. http://italiakultur.blogspot.com/

It is amazing how many things I see while walking, instead of driving....

This is ART on a wall near the old Police Station, fairly close to the centre of the city.

Chris Stain is the artist.

Check out http://www.nuart.no for more info.

I like looking.....

Today I passed a window that had this creative display.

About 8.30 this morning.

This is a road close to the city center, and there are many nice old houses around this area.

"Le Cafè Française" is so full of Yummy!:-)

Yesterday, I couldn't resist the temptation

And it WAS nice!!

I like to live in a city where it is possible to sometimes buy something different from Norwegian food. We have quite a range of international food shops, cafes and restaurants.

Look who I met today.

This is street ART near The Petroleum Museum.

If YOU want to be creative, click on my other blog at http://www.gunnwhite.blogspot.com

and find the link about giraffes under July 31 st.

After a morning session at the fitness centre I discovered that the sky was blue and the sun was shining. I went for a little walk and discovered that it was possible to see through the windows at the top floor at the Viking Stadium ..... todays photo.

The local football club, had until recently a German trainer, who will no longer work the next two years of his contract. I hear people all over discussing the situation, but I don`t have an opinion. But! one thing I know; Football is BIG business.

Another tug boat, named "Englishman", and at the back it was written Hull.

The guys working on it, told me it was from Yorkshire.

Safe journey!

It has become trendy to use "Fretex", a branch of Salvation Army.... for many more than just those who once HAD TO use their shops.

Today young and old find furniture, and I have seen what paint and a professional make over can do. Anyway, today I took the car to do some shopping, and later took a look in Fretex. This photo shows a detail from a decorated wooden chest.

Who was Anna, and what type of belongings did she keep in her chest? Why has it ended up at this place??

Today there has been a lot of rain, and there will be even more to come over the next few days....

I had a look in my archive, and decided to show a photo taken about two weeks ago. I have not really taken much notice to lamp posts around me, but now I have seen so many new and old from CDP bloggers, so I thought I should show you what they look like here where I am living.

Have a nice evening every one!

Yet another umbrella killed by the wind!!

Art at a corner near the harbor.

A Norwegian post box, bright and red, is what we use for outgoing post. (Yellow boxes for local mail)

These days most people use e-mail, but it is nice to get a letter or a postcard too.

I hope to send some "snail-mail" for Christmas...

Rain, rain go away!

It has been a windy, grey and wet day! 

Just to inform you,  the bridge is not falling down, it is just the way it is constructed. 

All cars in Norway have to use the lights no matter if it is day or night.

I am starting to count the days now until we are off on a little break somewhere sunny and warm!;-)

There are currently roadworks in the very center of town.
The yellow sign explains that there are major roadworks in the area.

The blue bit above the orange sign "titles" the roadworks as a part of the "tusenårsprosjektene" which means the "century projects".

The orange sign explains when the roadworks should be finished.

Some person has modified the sign with a "more realistic" estimate as to when the work is likely to be completed :)

This is ART on a wall that used to be the library, but for many years now has been the town hall.

This is also Stavanger..... 

This is potato dumplings, and depending on where in Norway we live, we have 3 different names for this dish.

"Komler", as we call it in Stavanger is served with lamb meat and/or sausage, together with mashed turnip. “Komler” are made of raw potatoes.

My late grandmother who lived further north, always called them “Klubb”
And in and around  Bergen (Norways second biggest city) they call them “Raspeball”

Another wooden house,- and it can't be more than a few years old. This kind of style is more common these days. Do you like it?

Yesterday, late Saturday evening, I had the pleasure of listening to some great music, in a great atmosphere at what was a fantastic concert at “Folken”.

“Maijazz” and “Numusic” were proud to have got Tony Allen, the 70 year young legendary drummer together with his 7-person orchestra to come to Stavanger!

Last summer they launched the album, ”Secret Agent”. This is music with a mixture of jazz, funk, blues, reggae and rock..... Wonderful, and what could be better on a chilly autumn evening than to go and enjoy this warm music, dance or at least feel the music!

http://www.myspace.com/tonyallenafrobeat

Windows in an office building.

Todays shot is from the annual "PWC-Stavanger Arts and Crafts fair" which is on today and tomorrow. It is a huge event!

This photo is showing less than half of the area, where creative people sell things they have made. I am always impressed. This year I bought a few presents, and two things to myself. Luckily it was not as crowded as it has sometimes been.

PWC was founded in September 1970, and was than called the Petroleum Wives Club,

a club only open for women whose husbands were in the oil industry.

Now the club is open to everyone who would like to join, and the club is re-named 

“People Who Connect”. They have several meetings and activities all year around.

Late evening in the colorful little road, Øvre Holmegate.

This photo,- I took last weekend.

The last few days have had a mixture of some bright sunshine, strong winds and heavy showers.

I have not been outside more than necessary. Today I saw this house in a glimmer of sunlight, so I just stopped the car to take "todays photo".

I guess that this is a house from the late 1960`s.

The coastline, -  south of Stavanger. 

"Syvende Himmel" (or "Seventh Heaven" in English) is the name of this shop in the colorful and trendy road "Ovre Holmegate".

Retro style and full of unique items.

Now we are into the rainy, stormy season. Last night it was extremely windy with winds gusting up to 40 knots (according to the airport metar reports and my rattling windows).

"Broken Column" is the name of art made by Antoney Gormley from England.

In Stavanger we have 23 of his statues, like this one which I took a photo of at the stairs leading from/to the parking area at Valberget.

Some like it, - some don`t. 

I guess no other art in Stavanger has ever been discussed and argued more than this. One statue is inside a classroom, and one is even inside a private home..... I will let you meet some of the other "rusty men" later.