Victory awaits him, who has everything in order – luck we call it. Defeat is definitely due for him, who has neglected to take the necessary precautions – bad luck we call it. Roald Amundsen *** As you may know, seven countries have claims on the southernmost continent: Antarctic neighbours Argentina, Australia, Chile and New [...]
River Music and Water Spirits
While the girls and I are exploring our friendly neighbour Scotland, Sophie’s World is staying at home. This week’s travel photo is from our homebase in the cool river city Drammen (Norway). The River Harp The large pedestrian bridge Ypsilon is a Drammen landmark. Next to Ypsilon is the River Harp, a sound sculpture comprising [...]
Books and ghosts in Norway’s fjordland
On the Fjærland Fjord, Mundal Hotel is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. This family-owned hotel has creaking stairs, a great turret bed room, a library, a billiards room, a music room, deep leather chairs by the fireplace – and books; not just in the library but everywhere. That’s as it should be. Like Hay-on-Wye, [...]
The streets of Oslo are filled with love
A month ago, the worst tragedy since World War II hit Norway. A mad man set off a bomb near the Prime Minister’s office, killing 8. He then travelled to Utøya and murdered 69 more. This afternoon, the victims were honoured in a national memorial ceremony. Each name was read out loud, their faces on [...]
Pyramiden – an Arctic ghost town
I’m in Pyramiden, once a showcase of the Soviet Union, a perfect mining community, set between mountains, glaciers and fjords in the Svalbard archipelago. Today, it’s an Arctic ghost town! The decision to abandon the settlement was sudden, its implementation even more so. The inhabitants were given just hours to pack their bags and leave. [...]
My 7 links
Katie at Tripbase has put together a fun, new blog challenge to unite bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint endeavour to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again. And how to do this? Details are over at Tripbase [...]
Barentsburg highlights
Barentsburg, you say? Where on earth… ? The Svalbard archipelago has four settlements of significant size, one of them is Russian. Norway has sovereignty over the archipelago, but the Treaty of Svalbard ensures all parties equal access to scientific and economic activities in the islands. Enter the Soviet Union. Since 1932, Russian company Trust Arktikugol [...]
Svalbard – polar bear country
At 78 degrees N – a mere 12 degrees from the North Pole – Longyearbyen is as far north as I’ve ever been. I’m here with my oldest daughter, to have a look at the Russian Arctic mining settlements. Looks cool and refreshing, doesn’t it? Svalbard is more commonly referred to as Spitsbergen in English. [...]
Welcome! I'm Sophie - writer, dreamer, negotiator, wanderer - mostly with my daughters, sometimes solo.
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Autumn leaves in Kew Gardens
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Three Terrific Christmas Markets
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From Aberystwyth With Love
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A Quirky Christmas Market in Paris
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Urbino – a secret Italian hilltop town
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No more: The natural bridge of Aruba
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Travel photo – Brimstone Hill Fortress, Saint Kitts
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High Tea at the Old Cataract in Aswan
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Warsaw’s Jewish cemetery: a memorial to a cruel past
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A to Z of Sophie’s World
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Anne-Sophie Redisch: It really is a pity. I think it was very popular a...
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