Monday, April 30, 2007
Seven mountains
Bergen is a city with seven mountains. The most famous is "Ulriken". Arriving by boat, the first mountain at starboard side is called "Lyderhorn", 396 m heigh. Today we climb up the southern hillside. After a few minutes we had to mount this staircaise.
Further up we got a start by a viper basking in the sunshine, but suddenly the reptile disappeared between yellow dry grass and shrubs. We were not hurted, but taken by surprise. For the rest of the trip we can't deny that our attention got focus along the path, step by step. For a moment however, we have lifted our eyes. Here is the view down to Vestkanten shopping centre and the surburb of Loddefjord.
Hikers have come from different directions and in all ages to have a break on the summit. The folk tradition says that witches used to gather on this mountain during the midsummer night. Today it's an honour to be nominated for the title "witch of the year" in the summer feast.
In the north west direction we have a nice overview of the suspension bridge (850m) to Askøy, now duty-free for travellers. But tall cruise-ships of more than 62 m height have no chance to sail under the bridge into Bergen Harbour - further to the right.
From the summit we can also have a close stydy of the traffic flow on highway west. Today there are less traffic than in a normal situation during the week when vehicls are queuing. All the same a lot of cars (23?) can be seen at this moment.
Further up we got a start by a viper basking in the sunshine, but suddenly the reptile disappeared between yellow dry grass and shrubs. We were not hurted, but taken by surprise. For the rest of the trip we can't deny that our attention got focus along the path, step by step. For a moment however, we have lifted our eyes. Here is the view down to Vestkanten shopping centre and the surburb of Loddefjord.Hikers have come from different directions and in all ages to have a break on the summit. The folk tradition says that witches used to gather on this mountain during the midsummer night. Today it's an honour to be nominated for the title "witch of the year" in the summer feast.In the north west direction we have a nice overview of the suspension bridge (850m) to Askøy, now duty-free for travellers. But tall cruise-ships of more than 62 m height have no chance to sail under the bridge into Bergen Harbour - further to the right.From the summit we can also have a close stydy of the traffic flow on highway west. Today there are less traffic than in a normal situation during the week when vehicls are queuing. All the same a lot of cars (23?) can be seen at this moment.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Stepping on the seashore
The first sign of spring appear on the seashore. Here a group of people have come to step around and have a look. I wonder what is the purpose of their meeting. Have they found a place of refuge or a shelter on this seashore? Are they looking for something or just relaxing?
Their attention and conversation are influenced by actual glasses. Are they studying biology in the low tide zone, mussels, see-weed, algaes and lichens? Do they just breath the air and tell jokes, are they annoncing a message or listening to a lecture, or do they talk deeply through the climate challenge?
Their attention and conversation are influenced by actual glasses. Are they studying biology in the low tide zone, mussels, see-weed, algaes and lichens? Do they just breath the air and tell jokes, are they annoncing a message or listening to a lecture, or do they talk deeply through the climate challenge?
Accessibitity to the sea is a praised value. The seashore and beaches should be a public space in our free nature, acessible for all of us without any obstacles. A group of people, meeting on the seashore, have common interests and should wear the same glasses, i.e. agree to defend these values.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
The River City and the City Promenade
The City of Drammen has done a great job to raise the quality of central public spaces along the riverside. Now they are working on a new promenade in front of the railway lines to complete the riverpark and central path system.
On the other side of the river a large recreation zone has been established. Here you find green fields, a park belt, playgrounds, sand beach, places to relax, restaurants, sculptures, a cycle path and so on. In this way the image of the city has changed to become an attractive and dynamic place for future developement.
In the underground I suppose there has been done investments in the water supply and sewage system. Have a look when you travel through Drammen, also called elvebyen, (river city), next time!
On the other side of the river a large recreation zone has been established. Here you find green fields, a park belt, playgrounds, sand beach, places to relax, restaurants, sculptures, a cycle path and so on. In this way the image of the city has changed to become an attractive and dynamic place for future developement.In the underground I suppose there has been done investments in the water supply and sewage system. Have a look when you travel through Drammen, also called elvebyen, (river city), next time!Inaccessible and unapproachable
A norwegian valley continuing from the fjord, first digged out by the great glacier, later formed by the river. On both sides there are steep walls. But you can drive along the road on the bottom plain.
And suddenly the mountain is defeated by a long tunnel that lead to the other side.
And suddenly the mountain is defeated by a long tunnel that lead to the other side. These mountains is just to look at. You have to start from another place if you want to hike up to the montain for looking down. Have a look to both sides. They are almost vertical and quite unapproachable. May be scatterd cliffs can be reached, but no path can be seen.
Here my step by step model is not useful. Even professional climbers have to hesitate. Car drivers should stop and have a pause here before they vanish in the darkness of the road tunnels.
Here my step by step model is not useful. Even professional climbers have to hesitate. Car drivers should stop and have a pause here before they vanish in the darkness of the road tunnels.Monday, April 16, 2007
Follow the street pattern
Some pedestrians have a superstition that to survive they have to walk on the white stripes when crossing the street. Others like to feel free and make a slanting walk between the crossings or to demonstrate an independent way of life and avoid excessive regulations.
The traffic authorities do the best to make pedestrian crossings safe by painting stripes in the asphalt. In the historic city patterns of stones in different colours can be used to make the crossings permanent visible.
In this case you can wonder why the dark stripes consists of 5 stones and the white stipes have 6 stones. White stones are expected to be more expensive, so the white stripes also should have had 5. But someone has decided that there must be 6 to get a safer crossing?
At the train platform another pattern on the ground is observed. The guidelines are made for universal design reasons so weakeyed persons can find the right way. But the linepoints must be maintained so the guidelines can contine to be a safe arrangement for dependant users.
The traffic authorities do the best to make pedestrian crossings safe by painting stripes in the asphalt. In the historic city patterns of stones in different colours can be used to make the crossings permanent visible.In this case you can wonder why the dark stripes consists of 5 stones and the white stipes have 6 stones. White stones are expected to be more expensive, so the white stripes also should have had 5. But someone has decided that there must be 6 to get a safer crossing?At the train platform another pattern on the ground is observed. The guidelines are made for universal design reasons so weakeyed persons can find the right way. But the linepoints must be maintained so the guidelines can contine to be a safe arrangement for dependant users. 
