What’s special about November?
By November, the days are getting shorter – with the sun setting between 3 and 4 p.m. This is also the month when we might have the first falls of snow. Actually we hope for this as snow covered ground brightens the countryside. If you are out walking after dark, do borrow a couple of the snap on reflectors you will find on the apartment kitchen window sill.
In Vollen, just like in most other villages and towns in Norway, the First Sunday in Advent, at the end of November or beginning of December is celebrated by lighting the Christmas tree and decorations in the centre of Vollen village.
Children’s choirs sing carols and typical winter songs and the shops and cafés are open.
Often warm non-alcoholic toddy and gingerbread biscuits are served to on-lookers by children dressed as Christmas elves.
(I took this photo from half way down Vollen skog road, looking down at Vollen village centre)
Places especially worth going to in November
Children’s playgrounds and training apparatus for all ages
Every school and kindergarten in Norway has an outdoor playground. During school hours these are for the use of the children attending that place. However after 17:00 on weekdays, at weekends and during national or school holidays, most of these may be...
Magic Ice, Oslo
Magic Ice is found in four towns in Norway (and also in Anchorage, Alaska, Copenhagen, Denmark and Reykjavik, Iceland) The photos here were taken in Svolvær, in Lofoten in the North of Norway but the concept is much the same at each location. On entry you are given a...
Drive to the End of the World (Verdens Ende)
The name is perhaps a little dramatic, but that what the southernmost point of the island of Tjøme is called. Two of our guests from the Netherlands drove down one windy afternoon in March and thoroughly recommended making the trip. Verdens Ende is reached by...
Oslo Town Hall (Oslo rådhus)
The City Hall, Oslo Rådhus, is situated in Pipervika, right by the harbour where the ferry boat from Vollen docks. Oslo Rådhus has characteristic architecture, (known to the citizens as the blocks of goat cheese), artworks and the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, held on...
Hiking in Asker (with maps and well marked routes)
Asker Turlag (Asker Municipality's hiking group) has made a website where a number of hiking trips of varying types are described in detail, with duration, length, elevation profile and map. You can use the automatic translation service on the site and giggle at some...
Astrup Fearnley Museum at Tjuvholmen
Astrup Fearnley Museet is a private museum of contemporary art, and has since its opening in 1993 been one of the most important art institutions in Oslo. The museum moved to Tjuvholmen in 2012, beautifully located in Oslo centre by the Oslo Fjord in a...
Tanum Middle Ages Church / Tanum kirke i Bærum
Tanum church which is a 23 minute drive from Vollen, dates from the 12th century and has sculptures from the Medieval Age. Around the church are several burial mounds from the Iron Age. The oldest graves are from the 17th century. Inside the church you can see...
SPA at Holmen Fjordhotell
A few minutes bus-ride from Vollen is Holmen Fjordhotell which has a lovely swimming pool and training centre, with sauna, steam-bath, cold pool, pool and big whirlpool. There are lockers available. In the Fitness centre there is a large variety of training...
Getting to Sheeps Inn by car in winter
The photo is from 16th January 2018 after a heavy fall of snow. However the first snow can arrive as early as the end of October. In winter conditions you can still drive up Vollen skog road but if there is a lot of snow, or minor roads are icy, it is possible to...
Vigeland Park
Vigeland Park is the world's largest sculpture park made by a single artist, and is one of Norway's most popular tourist attractions. The park is open to visitors all year round. There is a large parking lot beside the park. Allow at least an hour to enjoy the...