DOUBLE INDIGO 666 WORLD TOUR
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So I’m not planning on doing a daily blog by any means, but I thought I’d take you through the first 24 hours of the jeans’ second visit to Norway by way of an introduction to my neck of the woods.
For those who don’t know I live in Bodø which is capital of the first arctic county in Norway, Nordland. There are two more arctic counties, Troms and Finnmark, even further north. Unlike Sweden where the north of the country is sparsely populated, arctic Norway (everything above the arctic circle) boasts a number of small cities, industry and hundreds of towns and villages at these latitudes.
Bodø has a municipal population of around 50,000, a major hostpital, a University, two high schools, a top tier football team and the strongest «whirlpool» in the world nearby. The last time the jeans were here it was December and they did not see the sun, on account of it not rising in December. On this leg they won’t see a true night as the sun will not fully disappear under the horizon again until the end of July. While I’m sure this sounds appealing to many, it’s worth remembering that this far north, June is essentially a spring month. Only six or seven weeks ago the temps were around zero, the ground was frozen and there was nothing green on the ground or trees. So at the moment there’s a lot of rain, birch pollen and temps between 7-10C.
Yesterday was no exception, piss wet and gloomy. I’ve time-stamped some photos from the living room window to give you an idea of how the light can work while the weather is shite. Excuse the mess, I’m building.
As you can see the last pic taken shortly before midnight is darker but by no means dark. An hour later it started getting lighter again. Hopefully I’ll be able to show you all a true midnight sun later.
Yesterday was otherwise spent watching football and drinking beer while enjoying the jeans and my most excellent new coasters courtesy of the talented @sabergirl .
Today was better weatherwise and I’ve spent it in the local neighbourhood playing with my smallest kids. Inbetween drinking beer and watching football obviously. Don’t judge, I’m on holiday [emoji8]
Alfred (2yrs) went up and down this slope at least 20 times. He’s a speed freak.
And a daredevil.
Edward (1yr) mostly just makes his Dad do dumb shit then laughs at him.
My older, hairier offspring were off being older and hairier some place. More of them later
To finish, tour jeans in the arctic sunlight:
And my grim mug [emoji847]
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Badass! A great start to your leg. [emoji1419]
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wow jeans look awesome now.
That's mental about the light must fuck with your head.
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Not quite a daily blog @Aetas but pretty banal stuff nevertheless.
I’m now on “holiday” which until I actually go on holiday (FnC I need you) means projects around the house. If the weather was better I’d be up the cabin, but nooooo [emoji25]
It’s not all bad though as I have time to get to the gym (where I represent IH and LFC regularly). I’m enjoying the World Cup and I’m pleased England are doing well, but as a Welshman and with dual citizenship of the People’s Republic of Liverpool I can’t say I’m a supporter. I’d much rather have a legendary bird on my chest than three big cats. There may be a pun in that sentence. There may not be.
One of the things I’ve spent money on in the last few years that gets used more than my XHS or Wesco’s is this trailer. I love it nearly as much as my clothes. I seriously need an automobile upgrade however. The C-Max is a great family car and very flexible but it’s dull. So very, very dull.
Used the trailer to go get some materials for the lee wall I’m building.
At the start of the day:
Halfway through the “shift”:
Shortly before knocking off:
There’s something Sisyphean about building a wall intended to keep the breeze from the fjord off the veranda on sunny days, when the wind is up to 14m/s and it’s raining. Still, it’ll be finished tomorrow.
Didn’t work in the tour jeans as the thinning crotch, and ahem fitted thighs and top block, together with manual labour, seemed like a sketchy combination.
Carried on building also after work, Alfie just wants to tear it down though.
Then a relaxing time with some footie on the telly. Or something like that…
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Great update @Neph93 !
And since you have an entire basketball team under your roof, you should consider getting one of these (either would do) - both would haul that trailer like a champ [emoji41]
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I’d love one of those. Cars in Norway are insanely expensive, cars you have to import yourself even more so.
The culture in the whole country regarding cars is a little special. The status symbol aspect has increased somewhat in the last decade and it’s no longer unusual to own two (although the state strongly discourages it through punitive taxation), but I’ve never been in a country in the so-called western world where people drive any old crap in any old state. Flashy cars that perform beyond your practical needs are considered gauche and showy and because of the expense people tend to drive what they have into the ground before buying new.
Leasing is taking off here though so I’m considering an all singing all dancing, brand new beast of a Volvo.
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Leasing is taking off here though so I’m considering an all singing all dancing, brand new beast of a Volvo.
Smart man, the XC90 is on my hit list for sure
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I’m in love with the XC90…tried to talk Lori into it...alas we ended up with a swagger wagon...thought i was a better salesman than that.
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Great start to your leg of the tour Reuban. Where you live looks glorious.
ha en fin dag
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Great updates reuben. I always wanted to see norway, so far I've only been there two days and most of what I know comes through Black Metal and Lilyhammer.
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Enjoyed the tidbit about Norway. The endless days seem absolutely insane…guess it gives you nonstop daylight hrs to get that build done
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Excuse me…. Reuben is that a 25oz vest with brass snaps??
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Excuse me…. Reuben is that a 25oz vest with brass snaps??
No sir, that is the IHV-21. It’s a type III vest but with a mandarin collar, made from the OG 18oz denim that has been bonded with a red flannel lining. Then topped off with the brass snaps for an extra dose of awesome [emoji41]
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That is pretty awesome. Great vest. Great bit about your home as well.
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So I know I harp on about the weather and changing of the seasons a lot but if you lived up here so would you. It’s dynamic and at times extreme and unlike when you live in the city, you can’t get away from it. The sky is huge, the sea is like a mirror and even simple, low cost housing is designed in such a way that they maximise, light, sun and views for those living in them.
So the last few days have continued our dull, cold June which meant more of the same crap I’ve covered already [emoji23] Building, kids, concillatory beer drinking.
I didn’t realise Hot Ingrid was taking snaps of me until this point. Please note the IHSH-106 in the background. I fekkin love that shirt.
Eddie does love a good puddle…
And stones…
Put them both together and he’s in heaven (before you judge, it strengthens the immune system [emoji23])
He likes a good swing too…
My neighbourhood was built in 1976 and designed after social democratic principles. The houses are built near each other, the plots are restricted, the roads are very small and there’s no driving allowed (which everyone ignores). The idea is that you’re supposed to let the kids roam the streets safely and be up close and personal with your neighbour. There are lots of play areas and communal meeting places and the local school is in the middle of it all and also functions as a play area.
Enourmous cuffs on the tour jeans and some dirty Wesco action.
Alfie admiring the neighbour’s digger. In northern Norway, if you don’t do this stuff yourself you’re either indecently rich or a man of little dignity…
My street
Cute painted mail boxes from 1976…
Patina for days…
On Saturday evening though something wonderful happened…
And Sunday was glorious
So I’ve been up the cabin all day with sunshine, blue skies and 25C. More of that in the next update.
