Step One...Oslo

I have begun my journey! Today I have made it as far as Oslo.

The day started grey and misty and stuck in a queue on the M4, but I was met by the beautiful sight of snow and fir trees with black ribbons of roads winding between them on the descent into Norway. I had failed to realise it would be snowy here, as well as minus six but it is so hot indoors it is almost a relief when you step out into it!

We arrived in Oslo airport at 4.20pm local time and within an hour I was in the centre of Oslo. The fifteen minute train journey has to be the most expensive I have ever taken though! Realisation dawned that we had no map, and so therefore no idea how to get to the hostel, but this was soon sorted at the tourist information office. The hostel is very well located, reasonably clean etc but is on the fourth floor accessed by a peculiar lift with no side. The room is on the sixth floor (no lift!).

We have spent the evening walking around the city and trying to find dinner that we could afford. We walked up to the palace, down to the waterfront... and discovered that no-one else seems to walk (or drive) around Oslo in the evening- it was practically deserted. I have already taken a tumble on the ice but seem to have survived, but there seems little hope for me in Svalbard if I'm already falling over here.

I would upload some pictures but as I have left my card reader at home...oops.

Off to bed now as an early start tomorrow.