After all this celebrations (click to see my Anniversary and the TOP 3 European Blog post), its about time to get back to the main theme of my blog: Norway, our culture, traditions and habits. This one will mostly be about how to prepare your car for the winter season:
Although we consider November the last month in autumn, the winter is sneaking up on us. In the mountains and up north, the first snow normally comes at this time. On the south east around Oslo, you will have frost at least at night. So then you put your summer clothes into storage and dig out your long johns, scarfs, hats and mittens from your closets (remember my saying about no such thing as bad weather only bad clothes?). In your house you start the central heating or you hear the electrical thermostat heaters starts ticking. You also store away your lawn mover and try to find the snow shovel from deep inside of your garage. Of course the winter boots are found too, but thats not enough; you have to prepare your car for the winter as well:
There is a regulation saying that must have proper equipment for the weather condition and from the first of November until the weekend after Easter, that means you must have winter tires. In earlier days most everyone had tires with studs, but in the last 5 to 10 years, stud free winter tires have become more popular, at least in the south of Norway and in the urban arias. In Oslo, the capital, you even have to pay extra tax (I think its about 1500 NOK (280$ or 180€) for the season if you use tires with studs. The reason why is that studs wear out the concrete and create air pollution (there are more and more awareness of that of course!).
As you can see, I normally do the change of the tires myself and get great help from one of my bonus children. You can have it done in a garage of course and often organizations like Lions club change tires as a fund raiser. Thats actually a good thing I think, but I’m too cheap :-)
The picture was taken last week and if you look carefully, you might see a tiny layer of snow on the concrete at the right side of the car. The first real snow fall hasn’t come to Oslo yet, but we are now ready for it. There has been quite a lot of frost though, so the snow canons has been running in the ski resorts and with this artificial snow, some of them are to be opened this weekend. Does anyone wanna come over for down hill skiing or snowboarding?
I’m still in the US since my MIL passed away last Friday (please bear with me if I don’t visit and comments that much!), but we’ll be home again on Monday and are then ready to enjoy the lovely winter season.
Hello Renny!
Sorry to hear about your mother in law. May her soul rest in peace!
With us, it snowed last Tuesday. It still quite white outside up to now. Our neighbor’s children are even playing on the snow at the moment. It’s cold but I love seeing the snow, so white!
Have a nice weekend despite the situation!
RennyBA
Thank you for your condolences.
Sounds like a perfect winter start. I hope we’ll have snow when we come back to Norway too.
To Diane and your family my deepest condolences! May peace be with you and yours. So happy you were able to be home with her during this difficult time.
RennyBA
Thanks for your warm thoughts and concern Gretchen.
we had our first few snowflakes this morning. nothing that stuck to the ground but it blew around in a fury for a little while.
again, my sympathies to Diane and you all on the passing of her mother.
RennyBA
Now I envy you Lime – tell me when you can go skiing.
Thanks for your warm thoughts too – I’ll pass it on to Diane of course.
I’m soooo sorry to hear about your MIL. Must be real tough for Diane. Though what a good thing along all the bad, that she succeeded to be in US when it happened at least…. *sigh*
Hugs x millions to Diane and her family
RennyBA
It is tough yes, but like you said; Diane could at least be with her Mum for the last three weeks and I am glad I am with the family over here now to be supportive too.
Sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest condolences to Diane and all of you.
I haven’t been making my blog rounds lately – congratulations on your award and the resounding publicity! Much deserved. Your blog is such a joy.
RennyBA
Thanks for your warm thoughts.
How nice of you to say so blogger friend – thanks a lot!
I think it’s wonderful that you were able to be with Diane in America as she went through the loss of her mother, Renny. I’m sure you’ll both be glad to get back home. And it’s very nice to know you are ready for winter. At least your car is!
RennyBA
Well said Ginnie as I do think so too. It’ll be hard to leave but good to be home yea.
Ready as can be :-)
Renny,
as simpel as that- wel this post gave me a big laugh. But my son in Michigan told me:
— papa they think it’s summer year around. But it’s more Icy here than In Norway.
I did change to Winter tyres in late September – before going to the Hemsedal Mountains.
RennyBA
Glad I could cheer you up and it seams like you’re having a good time with your son and I’m glad!
Your always ahead of me Tor :-)
condolence again..
re your post.. the picture looks the end of the snowing period. hehehe. well, don’t trust me on that coz i haven’t experienced snow yet. hehehe ;p
RennyBA
Thanks for your concern.
I can tell your not a snow expert heheheheh
Please accept my condolences. Diane, I’m so sorry. There are not enough words of comfort that I can extend toward comforting you during your time of grieving. We’ll see you two when you return to the homestead.
RennyBA
Thank you so very much for your warm words and thoughts Saboma!
It makes sense to have winter tyres for your car in Norway. In New Zealand, the parts where it snows or if people go to the mountains for skiing, they put chains on their tyres. Same in the southern states in Australia. You need to have snow chains if you go to the mountains, but of course that is only for that trip. Otherwise you have the same tyres all year round.
RennyBA
Thanks for sharing the snowy experience from your part of the world. I forgotten to tell that way back when I was young, we used snow chains too and of course if the weather is very bad and you go up in the mountains, its still very useful.
Apparently you are back too ! I am back from Egypt since yesterday night from 30° to – 2° brrrr and still with one foot in Egypt ! Our holidays were so wonderful that now I have the blues !
I will have a lot to do for the cyber cruise !!
RennyBA
Nope, I’m still in the US, but will be home on Monday.
I’ve seen your first ‘coming home’ report and looking forward to your next posts.
Hey! So I am seriously considering going to see the Northern Lights in Norway…I need you and your wife’s help with where to go etc etc…
missy
RennyBA
How great – I’m so excited – but of course we’ll help the we can. Check your mail!
We’re having a snowy weather down here since last week.Just few days after husband changed the winter tires.
BTW My deepest condolences to diane and her family!This must be tough for her! Kindly extend my big hugs to her!
RennyBA
So you’ve had snow in Germany before we get it in Oslo – I envy you! Glad you where prepared to then :-)
Thanks for your warm thoughts – your hugs are extended.
Hello Mr Movie Star! Hows life now that you are so famous?
I couldnt understand your video, but I think you might have, at one point, said, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.”
Furthermore, was that car/snow picture taken with your NOKIA mobile phone?
RennyBA
Hi Susie, good to see you and life is even better with you around you know:-)
Thanks for taking your time to watch anyway and yea: I try to emphasize some of my sayings.
That was with my mobile phone yes – always at hand you know :-)
condolence for your MIL renny.
I do hope your wife feel a little better now.
:d and nice deed getting ready for the winter that early.
RennyBA
Thanks Lad!
We all feel a bit better since the funeral now is over.
Well, better be prepared you know.
Sorry to hear about your MIL; my condolences to Diane and the family. Winter must be pretty long in Norway, I guess…
RennyBA
Thanks for your condolences and I’ve passed it over to my wife of course.
Well, 4 to 5 month and I think that is good. The spring and summer becomes even better after that you know :-)
My condolences to you and Diane on the loss of you mother-in-law.
That is quite a bit of work to change tires for the winter season, but I can see how it would be very necessary for safety.
RennyBA
Thanks for your warm thoughts Lisa.
It is – do you want me to come over and do your car too? LoL
I am sorry to hear abt your MIL….and Oslo is waiting for you to come back! :) I am sooo waiting for the first snow! This girl from southern California can not wait to have a real winter with real snow! YAY….
RennyBA
Thanks for your concern… good to know someone is welcoming us back!
We are waiting for snow too and believe me, we’ll have it soon.
I’m sooooooooooooooo not ready for winter!!
RennyBA
I know summer is more like your cup of tea :-)
so i guess this means the heater will be on for months. does it.. well, overheat? ^^;;
my condolences to diane and your family.
RennyBA
Hehehe, well for about 6 month or soo ^^;;
Thanks for your concern too.
Hello Renny,
First of all I would like to offer my condolences to you all on your loss.
I love the snow, but it seems that here in the UK when we get a small amount everything grinds to a halt!! Living near the south coast we get very little so have to venture out to the wilds of dartmoor, but it can be great fun :)
There is an award for you at: http://grottynosh.wordpress.com/2007/11/16/be-the-blog-and-best-blogging-buddies-awards/
but you might need to look among the list to find yourself :)
Take care and God Bless.
Colin
RennyBA
Thanks for your condolences Colin.
How about a wilds of dartmoor post this winter then?
Thanks for your award, I’m flattered and feel very honored – I’ll collect it as sooooon as I have the time.
You too take care Colin.
Diane and Renny – I am so sorry to read of your loss. Please know you are in my thoughts.
RennyBA
Thanks Hexe and I’ve passed it to Diane too of course!
My condolences to your wife Diane and family…
Winter tires: that’s one thing we don’t need in Spain to drive safely. But don’t take it literally: I assume people drive more carefully under bad weather conditions… at least I hope so!
RennyBA
Thanks for your warm thoughts Mar.
I was thinking maybe up in the mountains of Spain? Drive safely then!
I guess some people use the studs here but not many. Having not grown up with snow at the house, this was all new to me since moving to Switzerland. I do enjoy the cooler weather a bit but I definitely miss the sunshine! Warm thoughts from both us here in Vancouver (by the way, P had a nice chat tonight with the Swiss mechanic. It was great because he talked about favoring Europe to Vancouver. Of course just one more way for us getting closer to moving back.)
RennyBA
I would have think it was more common in Canada though. Like i said to Teena: after a long and cold winter, the summer time taste even better you know:-)
Thanks for keeping me dated about P and it sounds exciting and prospering.
very interesting and informative, i will link ya in a tweet