Wand’rin’ Star (I was a…)

One of my New Year resolutions was to try and update the blog a bit more regularly ie monthly so it should mean shorter but more regular posts.

The Christmas festivities carried on here in Dønna/ Herøy until 7th January with the 3 Kings parties. Before I talk about those I forgot to mention that at one of the Christmas services I accompanied a bona fide celebrity. Odin Brennhaug, who comes from Herøy, appeared on The Voice in Norway and sang at the Christmas Eve service in Herøy Kirke. He sang "O Holy Night" which is not one of my favourite songs by any stretch of the imagine, but credit where credit is due he had a fabulous voice and sang it beautifully.

There were 2 Three Kings parties here on the island - at the Omsorgsenters in Glein and Silvalen. They both consisted of singing Christmas songs around the Christmas Tree, a dramatic retelling of the story of the Wise Men and the obligatory coffee and cake. Word had obviously spread about my stunning performance as the Angel Gabriel in the Nativitiy play so was promoted to the very important role of "The Star" at the performance in Herøy. A crucial part in the story, my job was to carry a light with a star-shaped lampshade and lead the wise men round the Christmas tree to the baby Jesus. I can only come to the conclusion that after being asked to announce the birth of Jesus, and then lead to baby Jesus that the next obvious step is for next year to be asked to BE the baby Jesus so have started looking out for adult size nappies....

I have continued to go along to Innebandy a couple of times a week. An excellent work out but dear god I am terrible at the game. A few weeks back the ladies team needed a proper game to prepare for some upcoming matches so instead of a training session we played a match. Words cannot describe how bad I was. I was not surprised to not be picked as the "player of the match" in my team but suffice to say that I was so bad, that I thought I was in with a fighting chance of being "player of the match" for the opposition. All joking aside I was pretty down about it for a few days afterwards. I enjoy going along, they're a lovely bunch of people but my great fear is being so bad that it's spoiling it for everyone else. At least when I played badly in badminton the only player who suffered was me - it's different when it's a team game. However, with friends' encouragement I did eventually go back and there have been some glimmers of hope in my performances (I think). I thought I had my best night on Monday (there were a few "bra jobbe, Graeme!" which is always nice to hear. My performance was slightly undermined at one point though when I struggled to put the coloured vest on - eventually one of the ladies took pity on me and offered to help. Yes, my hand-eye coordination is that bad!

I did miss the first session after the appalling match due to a fall. It probably wasn't as bad as I made out but grasping at any excuse.... The Norwegians are superb at clearing the roads when there's snow but my perception is that they're not so great at doing the pavements. I slipped outside the local shop on the way down to the ferry and although I originally thought it was only my pride that had taken a severe dent, it transpired I had blood running down the side of my face which I hadn't noticed until I got on the ferry. Which explained the strange look the cleaner gave me as I sat down.

I'm very excited about the fact I've got some visitors lined up in the next few weeks. Jen is coming out in February and then Alison in March. The joys of speaking English without feeling guilty!

The people here on the islands continue to be wonderfully kind and patient - listening to me mangling their beautiful language with not very interesting stories. That being said, I am quite proud of the fact that I can bore people in more than one language - not too shabby!

We had one of the biggest storms Norway had seen in quite a few decades recently and all the ferries were cancelled between here and the mainland. It actually wasn't too bad where we are (quite sheltered) but you could see out on the water that it was v windy. And goodness me it has been cold sometimes. I have a sat under a blanket with the electric fire and the wood burner going and still been freezing. And speaking of freezing, we still go regularly on our "Tirsdagturs" - the walk itself is very sheltered but at the top it can be extremely nippy. In fact, it can be extremely difficult to stand - the wind can be very strong and the temperature could be about -20.

We've had a ton of snow recently and just tonight my car got stuck and Steffen and Sigrid (and Steffen's dad) rallied round to help me move it. V embarrassing but it was v kind of them to help out. I think the next time I need to be anywhere that requires a car is Monday so fingers crossed I can move it then!