Snow in the Hood

Many people believe that Norway is a country that is always covered with snow. This may be true of certain parts of it, but it is certainly not the case in Oslo, and especially not this winter. It has been mild and grey and dull most of the time, and though some grumble that it's "not like it used to be" others have rejoiced over being able to walk to the shops without having to dress as for an Arctic expedition. I myself am in two minds about snow. I think it's marvellous when it's falling and when it's fresh and brightens up the otherwise dark days of winter, and of course I like the photographic opportunities it affords. But when you have to wade through slushy streets, or traverse slippery pavements where old snow has frozen over, then I curse and growl and long for nothing but the warmth of summer. This weekend, Oslo did have snow, and for a short time it looked as if "king winter" had really arrived. Yet, as I write now, just a couple of days later, there is nothing left of it, and we are back to the dull grey dampness of the past weeks. Here's a shot from my "hood" - the streets of Briskeby in Oslo. This area originally comprised mostly of wooden houses similar to the one seen on the left here; it is one of only a few that now are left. In the 1890s, as Oslo expanded, larger brick buildings were constructed like the one on the corner. A bakery once used to occupy the building behind, as can be seen from the chimney stack. Later still more modern buildings were constructed, making this area close to the centre of Oslo a quirky, pleasant jumble of old and new. And it looks particularly quaint with the snow ... in a way it's a pity that it's all gone. Location: Oslo, Norway