Random winter images from Stavanger

Here are just a few random pictures from the coldest, snowiest winter in over 50 years here in Stavanger, Norway. All kids brought sledges with them to school...many people were cross country skiing to work. The lakes and fjords were frozen solid for the first time in over 20 years....for weeks....the middle school actually cancelled classes one afternoon to all go out on a nearby lake for some skating and hockey. Pretty cool! I, for one, have enjoyed the snowy winter. It made the winter that is so dark and long here seem a little brighter. :o) We had a huge snowfall on Dec 18th and now, three months later, it is finally melting away. This is unheard of in this part of the country where there is such a warm water current running along the coastline here.