It’s all about eating here in Texas, especially since we arrived the day before thanksgiving. Tonas mum told me that I could just buy a new pair of jeans if mine are getting a little tight!

Last night it was my turn to cook.

A kiwi lamb roast for the family with Russ carving the meat. A little hiccup as I started cooking the meat at 180 (thinking Celsius) and two hours later realised it was farenheight and all I was doing was warming it up! Temperature corrected and all turned out well (if a little later than planned)

This morning was church – the meaning of Christmas service – with lots of singing and very relaxed atmosphere. We met lots of Tona and Chucks friends who were all very welcoming.

Then off to lunch at the local airport with Tonas mum and dad!

A local seafood restaurant with delicious prawns, stuffed crab and crawfish!

James enjoying the fish tank, before heading home to pack up and head back to their home!

The sun came out and it was a lovely warm afternoon!

Russ had a rest and then Chuck took us for a drive to Quintana – south of Lake Jackson, where all the industrial, petrochemical HUGE plants are!

Freeport container port near the gulf coast

New LPG conversion plant being built!

Huge industry and the development of a major US income.

Back home as the sun was setting, left over roast for dinner! And an early night as our hosts are back to work tomorrow! Might need to earn my keep and do some chores around the house!

We have a crocodile encounter – even though Texas is Alligator country. Crocodiles are from other parts of the world.

The family, kids and grandkids and the kiwis went for an outing to the ‘Crocodile Encounter’ Park this morning.

First up were the piglets!

Followed by; close up and personal with some smaller creatures!

Frilled lizard – James, Eric and Chuck having a wee pat.

Snake, a harmless cobra so they say.

And a baby alligator!

Moving along behind our guide around the park…

Feeding the giant tortoises celery sticks.

Followed by some very close Alligator encounters (these big guys were behind fences)

Alligators do not attack humans (mostly east smaller animals) and as they are native to Texas can stay outside over winter.

Unlike the crocodiles who come from tropical climates and need to be inside heated spaces.

These big crocodiles are already in their inside winter homes.

The teenagers still outside for now but soon to move to warmer huts.

Tour not yet over we still had some furry animals to visit.

Goats! A world wide breed!

Lemurs with zebra tails running around their enclosure.

Bongos – striped antelopes

And a little bit of Australia in Texas – Kangaroos dancing with their keeper.

James, Eric, Kelly and Baby Emma – the family pic of the day!

Off to a BBQ joint in Angleton, where Russ went to school as a teenager, for lunch and home for me to cook the family a Kiwi Lamb Roast for dinner!

And the adventures continue in Texas.

In Lake Jackson south of Houston – the girls hit the town this morning.

As you can see the anticipated franticness was a little lacking.

We visited J.C. Penny’s, Target, Academy Sport and a coffee shop.

Kelly with a Christmas tree of socks, hats and scarfs.

Tona and Kelly lining up for the checkout in Academy Sports….apart from the checkout line, it all seemed like a normal shopping day!

And in the mall, Santa is missing in action.

After the department stores one last stop at the supermarket to stock up for the weekend.

Back of the truck full up, so it was time to head home to give the boys a break from babysitting.

They were out the door pretty smartly for a round of golf. Weather in this part of the world is pretty mild, around 22 degrees, a little cloudy but quite warm.

An afternoon of watching basketball with Polly is planned.

The 4th Thursday of November is thanksgiving day in USA – an afternoon of cooking yesterday and up early this morning for more food making!

I sort of helped – mixed and chopped and some dishes!

Turkey ready to go in the oven, pies made, Veges cooked and that was only the half of it.

We all loaded up, folks and food, and headed to Tona and Chucks sons’ house for thanksgiving lunch!

Serving up the main course, I was wondering when the other 50 people would arrive to eat this feast!

A plate of turkey, ham, sweet potato, Mac and cheese, green bean pie, corn pie and a number of other dishes I couldn’t fit on my plate!

The hosts – Ashley and Travis and Tona.

My choice of deserts – pumpkin pie, apple pie and pecan pie! Just had to try it all! (Actually there were several more choice but just couldn’t fit on my plate or in my stomach)

So, full to the brim, a special treat was then in store for the kiwis. The Texans mostly drive big Trucks, however the two sons are ‘Mustang Men’

I was treated to some cool rides!

Travis’s ’66 Mustang 2.8L

Chris’s 2015 5L ‘Stang – there’s some power under the hood of this one!

A kiwi dream fulfilled! Well almost apart from owning one myself that is.

This day is akin to our Christmas back home, where we eat until we cannot eat anymore and then it’s family game time, before everyone falls asleep!

Here its Bocce (or as we know it pétanque) The adults circumnavigating the backyard and the kids playing on the playground!

These Kiwis (Russ and Sue) are very blessed to share this day with our Texas family!

A very long day of airports and airplanes yesterday, landed two tired kiwis in Houston Texas around 3pm local time (10pm euro time)

Thank goodness our friends, Tona and Chuck, were there to meet us on arrival and navigate the roads back to our home for the next three weeks – Lake Jackson!

Last night we got to sleep very late Euro time (2.30am) and very early Texas time (7.30pm) so this morning we were up early local time… from now on we are on Texas time. (Even though right now our bodies may disagree). The joys of travelling around the world!

Coffee by the pool – sunrise around 7am. And the sun came up bright and warm.

The kiwi flag is flying next to the US flag to welcome us.

A wander down to the lake and pontoon, being wary of the bobcat family living in the bush behind the house, and alligators that live in the lake!

Nope didn’t see an alligator, but we are assured they are there.

The neighbours dogs, golden doodles, (there was four of them) spied me and came running over to say hello, one barking and another jumping on me for cuddles.

Tona took Russ and I into the township, before the family arrived, and we are having an afternoon of cooking in preparation for thanksgiving tomorrow.

The chocolate and pecan pies cooking in the oven..really looking forward to tomorrow!

Now after a sunny morning, in good fall Texas weather, we have thunder and rain. Great afternoon to be inside with the smells of pies cooking!

We are very spoiled in this part of the world and privileged to share this special time of year with our friends and their family. I’m guessing thanksgiving feast will test the flexibility if our stomachs!

Sitting at Oslo airport at 5am, waiting for 6am flight and surprise surprise, about half a dozen people here!

Arrived here in the dark and leaving in the dark! Daylight hours for winter 9am sunrise and 3.45pm sunset.

The sun coming up in the morning 30000 feet up

Reflecting on our time in Malta, Italy and Norway., all the adventures, laughter, friends and family my favourite snaps from each place…

Malta the long and short of our Maltese family, and everyone in between.

Gozo the salt pans

Rome – the Roman Forem and the many bridges we crossed over the Tiber river, which winds its way through the city of Rome.

The Donkey on the walk of the Gods – Amalfi Cost.

Fashion on Capri Island, Italy.

The Holmenkollen ski jump Oslo Norway 🇳🇴 heads in the clouds!

On top of the world – riding the Ferris wheel at Vinterland Christmas fair…

It’s been a fantastic ride over the last three months

Next Chapter – about to wing our way to Texas!

Monday, our last day in Oslo, and we had to be out of our Air BnB this morning as we are staying at the Airport hotel tonight for a very early flight tomorrow.

Perfect day planned, cases packed and dropped to storage at the central train station and boarding a day cruise of the Oslo Fiords!

Coffee stop after depositing bags.

The cruise left at 11am, so we had plenty of time to savour our coffee in the cool 1 degree daytime temperature.

Our boat to the left which is modelled on the opera house (at right in the background)

Unfortunately, the best laid plans cannot control the weather and, before we left the city, there was the odd snowflake falling. The views were exceptional from inside the nice warm boat! So that was a plus.

Leaving the wharf a great view of the Opera house.

In and out of the inlets around Oslo (most of which we have explored on foot), here is the Akershus Fort from the sea.

The city hall.

A retired lighthouse, now a restaurant in the middle of the sea.

We had a running commentary inside and I zoomed in and out when there might be a photo opportunity. Far too cold to stay for long on the viewing decks!

Getting close to our stopover and the fiords were closer together.

Following in the wake of this tug boat off to guide a ship in.

Docked for two hours at Drøbak, a quaint little village. Historically the winter harbour for Oslo as due to the fiords freezing, the ships used to stop here and then products taken to Oslo by horse and sleds.

These are the winter flowers that I see everywhere, not sure what they are called, but obviously flourish in cold weather.

Christmas decorations in the streets.

The highlight – a visit to the best Christmas shop in Oslo greater!

Everything is Santa, mice, moose, reindeer, witches, sheep, babies, trolls and practically everything you can imagine.

A sleigh of Santa’s!

Santa houses – two stories of Santa!!

Drøbak wharf. The weather is holding off, still no rain and, having warmed up with some hot food and a 2nd hot coffee, Russ and I climb on the boat (inside as still only 1 degrees) for our journey back.

The next 48 hours we will be travelling – to South Texas. I think Oslo (at least if not more of Norway) should be on everyone’s bucket list. It is a beautiful city, even in winter.

Winter in Oslo dawned with a chilly but bright sunny day (around 9am) – Sunday a day of rest – no way, out to explore some more…

Walking to Kat’s house, the sunshine breaking through the trees. Hats, gloves and puffer jackets all needed as a clear day means lower temperatures (think it got to 4 degrees today).

Kat and George took us about a 10 minute tram ride out of the city centre to Ekeberg Park – this one high on a hill with some interesting sculptures and fantastic views. Put your broadminded hat on….

First sculpture that hit us as we left the tram – say no more except “where’s Wally?”

This one was also interesting – these artists do not believe in modesty!

Sue and the big shiny one called Marlyn (female version)

So now to some of the views…

Oslo city to the right and out into the fiords.

Sue and Russ having a tourist moment.

Discussing the trail to follow – at this point squirrels running up and down the trees, but too quick to capture on the iPhone camera!

Another sculpture telling a story….very detailed.

The fiords through the tall trees. Nearly at the top.

George finally found a girl taller than him – this sculpture is called “The walking girl”.

Higher view of the fiords.

The park opened up into huge playing fields and green spaces.

Rest time for the team before the descent.

From here, we trammed back to our abodes as George had to leave, at 1pm, to get his plane back to England.

We said our goodbyes and Russ and Sue went in search of another couple of attractions on our to do list.

Telthusbakken Street, a quaint street with well preserved (and still lived in) wooden houses built in the 1800’s. A contrast to most of the brick and plaster residential housing.

On the opposite side of the street each house had its own garden allotment (in the middle of the city). Looking a bit unloved at this time of the year, but no doubt flourishing in summer.

Then to the hand craft market – even too hippie for me and very small, but in an interesting part of town called Bla!

Street art and graffiti on the walls (a nightclub area)

The best part of the market, a huge crafted chandelier of baubles!! This was impressive (but not for sale).

One other site, we had missed on our must see list, was the palace or castle at the end of Karl Johans street, the home of the king of Norway!

Happened to pass another impressive 17 meter high sculpture on the way (in the middle of a roundabout). It is a light fountain and was catching the last rays of the day… Sun due to set at 3.45pm!

And the castle/palace surrounded by several acres of greenness.

Russ (still standing but a little weary) at the start of Karl Johans Gate (road) which runs through the centre of the city of Oslo to the Cathedral!

One last glimpse of the beautiful day before heading home for the evening (by tram – I love these trams – they are so efficient).

Colourful 2 meter diameter flower pots line many of the city streets.

This day of sunshine has left a lasting impression of a city of wide open spaces, good coffee, happy people (even in winter), sculptures (leaving no stone unturned), great views and surprises (good ones) at every corner!

Christmas in Europe starts early and is about lights and snow (unlike NZ Christmas which is BBQs and swimming)

Vinter Wonderland markets and fair. Just had to tack this on to yesterday’s adventures.

View from the Ferris Wheel – Oslo lit up with the joys of Christmas.

Market stalls with Christmas goodies

Sue and George enjoying the fair.

No Christmas show is complete without Santa and his helper (I refrained from the sitting on knee invitation)

A magical special evening!

This morning was decidedly greyer than envisaged, however we still had five hours left on our Oslo pass (24 hour pass which includes all public transport and free entrance to museums and points of interest). Not that we didn’t get value for our investment yesterday but there was still one more item on the list of must sees!

That’s us, taking a rest stop on the climb up the mountain to the ski museum and famous Oslo Ski Jump! George had met us just after 9am and we had trammed and trained into the hills on the outskirts of Oslo.

A bit further up the hill and the clouds were coming in – our hopes for an incredible view of the city somewhat diminishing by the minute.

Second rest stop before reaching the museum entrance.

Looking down into the jump runoff and stadium seats – in the distance you can see cross country dry training (with a form of long rollerblades)

Museum time. Norwegians have a long history of cross country and Nordic skiing and of course Jumping.

We were at Holmenkollen – the home of the worlds oldest ski museum and the impressive ski jump which hosts a major ski jump event each year.

Skis dating back to 600AD are on display here – these ones not quite so old.

Model of the first Holmenkollen ski jump dated 1892.

And the latest modernisation in 2011 for the world champs.

1960’s to 1980’s range of skis – I could pick the style I learned to ski with in the 60’s.

Another of these gorgeous moose creatures – will need to get deeper into the mountain to have the real life experience.

We then took the elevator to the top of the ski jump, still devoid of snow – but very high up and a test to the vertigo tolerance.

Looking down from the top – you can just see the seating and run off at the bottom. Oh and it was freezing up here!

This ones from the bottom looking up, just catching the top in the clouds!

Back down in the midday train and home for a quiet afternoon – getting chilly outside and we have Kat (George’s girlfriend) cooking us a traditional Norwegian meal for dinner tonight!

Is it really only three days we have been here? This amazing city will keep a little bit of our hearts.

People are so nice, helpful and ‘Happy’. The public transport system is so efficient with electric, trams, buses and trains. The city roads are practically carless (due to road toll charges and expensive parking in the city environs). The city is clean, rubbish bins on every corner. Pedestrian crossings on every corner too, and vehicles stop for you to cross! (Unlike Italy)

Happily, our time in Norway is not over yet!

A moment of rest with a coffee catch up with George, before a day of hot spots and off track adventures.

To the grand central station, a good starting point then took the tram to Frogner Park!

A huge park of 110 acres with naked sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, green spaces, lakes and rivers and so much more…

Children’s playground with a gothic theme

Tree lined avenues with the last of the Autumn leaves.

And Sculptures, made of granite or bronze, of naked people….to follow but a few…

Throwing his woman into the lake

Girl child

The athlete….and Sue!

A bunch of babies…and Russ

And the yoga pose…many more amazing statues, a total of 212 (just a taste for you here)

Wandering through this peaceful park with postcard autumn scenery.

The final golden leaves still falling, Russ hiding in the trees.

Iron gates with more of the artists creations.

Large green spaces and resting areas. This park is the biggest tourist attraction in Norway, although today we felt like the only ones (almost) in the entire park!

We had planned from here to take the bus to the three museums on our days schedule, however the sun was trying to peek through and we decided to walk the forty minutes instead,

The inlet at the start of what turned out to be a beautiful coastal walk (again two kiwis and the world around us)

Boardwalks and rocky paths – looking out into the fiords on this beautiful day.

Lunch stop (having anticipated our need to eat at some point we had brought rolls before leaving town)

The coastline was spectacular and colourful!

We swung past the boathouse of the castle on the hill, which was built by King Oscar, king of Sweden and Norway in 1852.

Here is the castle looking up from the track.

Not long after this we had to head up to the main drag to the Viking Museum (first stop on the museum tour)

Viking ship Oseberg built in AD820. The Vikings originated from Scandinavia and were the pirates of their time stealing from churches, monestries, villages and cities.

Many Norsemen settled down in the lands they invaded and the ships were then pulled ashore and used as burial sites – these ones have been uncovered and evidently they have just found another one in Norway!

These ships and Viking adventures reigned from 800AD until 1066AD.

Next stop the Kon-tiki museum.

The adventures of Thor Heyerdahl who was born in 1914 and died in 2002. A Norwegian explorer who believed that South Americans may have settled in the Polynesian islands (against historic theories) He set out from Peru, in a balsa wood boat and let the sea currents take him on his travels.

This trip took place in 1947 and he arrived at Raroia Island (one of the Tahitian islands) in 101 days!

This other boat the “RA 2” he made from papyrus reed and he then set out to prove another theory; that Africans travelled to South America by using the currents. He left from Morocco and arrived in Barbados, thus questioning again the accepted historic theories.

Coffee break needed, by the sea, before the last museum experience of the day.

Russ getting in the fold with Ronald Admunsen and his team, who were the first men to reach the South Pole (about a month before Robert Scott and his party arrived).

This takes us to the third and final museum “The Fram Museum” – which houses the ship that Admunsen made this voyage in.

From the viewing platform. And we could climb aboard!

Sue at the helm! We went below deck and watched movies of the voyages. Fabulous old ship and very well maintained.

We are now back in Oslo at Vinterwonderland – the Christmas fair that just opened today.

And we are doing this before heading home!