It seems that our latest news has unleashed a flurry of questions (as much for hubby's email box as it has for mine). So let me put it all into perspective (quickly get that cuppa and put your feet up).
Before we came to the United Kingdom we did consider moving to Norway. However, there were a few complicating issues. At the time we had my (teenage) stepson living with us and he wanted to come with us. As some of you know Norway does not make it easy for non Norwegian children from previous marriages to enter Norway.
The whole process would have proved so lengthy and time consuming that it wasn't actually an option at the time. The United Kingdom was the best viable option for the business and for us as a family unit.
My stepson is now back in South Africa about to become SA's answer to Jamie Oliver and enjoying his independence in the sun. Our circumstances have now changed.
Quite a few people have asked "what's wrong with the UK?". There's nothing wrong with the UK but I feel :"why would I want to live in the UK when I can live in Norway?". Raise my children on a good wholesome diet of boiled potatoes and lutefisk - is there a question!
Besides the allure of 60Mb internet connection (that's how I managed to sell the idea to hubby, with much assistance of my trusted friend Monica who flew over from Norway to complete the salesjob)- we feel that Norway has more to offer our children in terms of future opportunities. Besides can you imagine their delight when we visit the real Santa in Drøbak (at least he won't swap Rudolph the rednose reindeer for Omar the camel just because of a small case of blue tongue!).
I want to return to Norway and we want to raise our children in Norway - it's as simple as that really.
In the greater scheme of things Oslo is only a 2 hour flight from London. It's like moving from Durban to Cape Town really. Cape Town and Norway have a few things in common - mountains and fresh fish!
Undoubtedly there will be some very interesting and challenging moments for hubby but I have no doubt that he will rise to the occasion (he is very reliable when it comes to that kinda stuff). In terms of business we believe that there is a whole new world out there to discover and learn from (I sense many a funny Petesweekly coming up).
So the place is Fredrikstad (my hometown - close to family and friends - if I have any friends left....)
The date is 13th July
The idea has been mulling about for some time but the final decision was made not so very long ago.
WINTER WONDERLAND
14 hours ago
8 comments:
norway does sound like the perfect place to raise children and fredrikstad looks like a beautiful town. would your new home be exclusively english or would you speak to them in norwegian?
looking forward to your new blog!
Hello there
Got all my questions answered...in a way YOU GOING HOME!!!
I will be patient and wait for the day that I can also return HOME.
Good luck with the packing etc as time is around the corner for your big move.
Will be following your blog to hear how it all goes from now till when you settled..
I havent ever been to Norway, dont know much about that country...so hoping to get lots of info via your future blogs.
Mmmmm.... lutevisk and boiled potatoes! Your kids are going to l-u-r-v-e you! :D
Seriously - good luck with the move, and I hope the kids will settle quickly. The only reason we never moved to Norway was because it didn't seem fair to my husband, who can't speak Norwegian at all. I don't regret it too much, but I sometimes wonder what life would be like back 'home'. You'll just have to tell me all about it!!
Sam - yes, it is a nice little town - albeit a little boring :). Currently I speak Norwegian to baby girl and English to the boys. The school has asked to start preparing by only speaking Norwegian to the all the children so that their Norwegian will progress faster. Will probably continue speaking English to dad.
Marcelle - I can see you miss your family terribly. It will be wonderful when you can all be together again.
Helga - yes, it has to be a decision that everybody in the family is comfortable with. fortunately for Peter he is on the net/phone all day to English speaking clients so he won't be forced to instantly 'Norwegianize' himself.
Wow - good luck! :-) I've been without internet all weekend, so have only been able to read blogs via my mobile, which was not working at all! All I could see were the comments, so was very curious about the post!
I strongly suspect we'll make a similar move at some point in the future - I have to get to the UK first though! Likely only staying there for 3 years before they move us someplace else (like Pau, and then somewhere like Angola or Iran :-S ). Have told boyfriend if we're having children, they're being raised for the first few years in Norway before we move again (I can't give up having 1 yr off with pay - that, and I'd never hear the end of it from my mother if we didn't come back!).
Great to hear Tressa has adopted you :-)
Batgirl - that one year maternity leave is a blessing - hold onto it!
Yes, My boys are so excited to meet her kids. After not visiting for 9 years it's going to be like moving into a 'new' area.....
It makes a lot of sense to me! But I can't help thinking the "migration diary" was a perfect name for your blog! :D
Will your husband have a better status in Norway, immigration-wise? I remember all the troubles in the UK...
Caroline, this sounds like you're happy with your final decision. Is your husband going to find a job easily in Norway? Does he speak Norwegian, although I know it's like Denmark where nearly everyone speaks English. Good luck. Keep me posted.
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