FRIDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2024

(Home, UK – Oslo, Norway)

A straightforward start to the day, having done most of our packing last night. Up, showers, breakfast, finish packing, empty the bins, and put the luggage in the car. We drove to the airport, and found our way in to Terminal 1. It was a short walk under most circumstances, but felt considerably longer for Andrew, carrying the accordion in its flight case, especially as the Scandinavian desk is hidden away in a secret location, which isn’t even sign posted. Helpfully directed by an Emirates employee, we found our way to the desk, where we left the suitcase, and then made our way to the special baggage security desk to send the accordion on its way. 

With that done, it was through fast track security, and off to Giraffe for brunch. 

It wasn’t far from there to the gate, and the crew had everyone on board and sat down, in time for an on-time departure. The grey looking clouds of Manchester turned out to be quite thin, and we were soon above them and looking down through occasional gaps at England’s green and pleasant land. Within twenty minutes or so we were over the North Sea.

An hour later we crossed over land again, this time the ice carved fjords off Norway, covered in dark green forests (‘skog’, I recalled from my Norwegian lessons..). 

After landing ten minutes early and getting through passport control (grrr…no European entry anymore…), we collected our luggage and the accordion and made our way out of the baggage hall and down one level to the express train (Flytoget). I bought tickets in the app and we boarded the next train to Drammen. It was a very comfortable and easy journey to Skøyen, and after making sure we excited the station in the right direction it was a “five minute walk” to the hotel. With about five minutes of intermittent stops along the way, as the accordion was heavy and the case handle uncomfortable to grip over that distance. I did offer to take a turn carrying it but, luckily for me, Andrew didn’t take me up on it. 

We checked in and found our way to the reception area for the event, where we sneaked in at the back of the room, as announcements had just commenced. After these were over, there were a few ‘hellos’, a few hugs, and time to unpack the bubble wrap from inside the accordion. Good news – it still plays! 

Then it was dinner, before a quick charge for Andrew, and then getting to work playing for the evening dance. I took a more leisurely approach, with a brief rest and a shower, before joining the dance.

The dance was good, and was followed of course by a lot of catching up with people in the bar… it’s now heading towards 1am, so I think it’s time for bed….