It’s been quite a exciting few weeks really. My patience has finally paid off with a job and I couldn’t of asked for a better opportunity in any country. It sounds like they really look after their own and I’m hoping I'll get the opportunity to do some training and have the chance to lead in the future.
Tomorrow (Thursday) I’m popping in to see them and hopefully get some more information on what sort of projects they expect me to work on. So far I know they are interested in putting me to work in a compay who do insurance and finance. Fortunately their office is across the street from my company, probably with an even better view.
Half way up to Bymarka
My new bike :-] with a view
You can see the tower from the top (with a monocular!)
Note the fortress as a tiny spec!
This is a lake on the right and the road up to the top on the left
Remember when you droped your glove when we were at the top Dad? Well I jumped on a frozen lake apparently!
A glorious day
Our footprints form March - we climbed the armco barrier here!
30 mins later (1.5 hours up) I'm at the tiny spec of the fortress. 6km downhill! Woo hoo!
It was really satisfying to cycle all the way to the top where we managed to get to in the car and then an hours’ walk or so. It took me about and hour and a half from home to get there and about 30 mins on the 6km back down. I was quite surprised to still be in good form for spinning this morning at 6.45am!
After my workout, I headed to the police station where there was a queue already even though I was an hour and three-quaters early to even get a ticket to queue! I had a stroke of luck however and sat next to the ticket machine while the queue continued to grow until 10am. By the time it did open I’d say there were about 120 people waiting. Being next to the machine I was third to get a ticket (7th in the queue because a Russian guy made sure he sorted out his 5 friends first). In the end I was in there for about 20mins after my wait for the ticket. Last two times I had been (futile) I had waited two and three hours respectively!
Next stop the bank to apply for a temporary D-number so I can open an account. I found out I could probably have done this as soon as I arrived becaue the residence permit from the police is likely to take at least three months. Anyway, another 14 day wait for this number, then I can open an account and get paid! So, it’s all coming together.
In town and at a loose end I decided to pop in and give the recruitment agent a visit – he’d said pop in if I was about and he’d buy me lunch! I’ve obviously made his week dropping into his office a couple of weeks ago by chance, and he mine! I was going to buy him a bottle of wine, but I’m not made of money just yet. He was too busy though so we might have some lunch on Friday...
While in there I mentioned I might head over to the beach, just out of town and he recommended a place called “spunhuset” which is where Sten and I have been running once. So right now, I am typing all this sat in the garden of Spunhuset with a fantastic view of the fjord. The sun is out and if I stay here a while longer I may even look brown!
So, at last I can relax knowing I have a job to start soon and I'll be able to afford to live here. All in all a whirlwind couple of weeks and I’m a very happy chappy.
