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26th February 2004, Vålerenga v Newcastle United

Myself and other long suffering Newcastle supporter Paul Haynes decided to head over to Norway to see Newcastle play in the UEFA cup. We were playing Vålerenga a team from Oslo so decided on a 3 day trip. Both living in Blackheath at the time we headed over to Oslo on the early flight which meant being at Heathrow at 6am. Only thing to do? Have a 6am beer and bacon sandwich!

Arriving in Oslo we took a quick tour of the town as Paul hadn't been before. We took in a few bars and met up with some of the other lads who'd traveled from Newcastle. We decided to get a bit of pre-match scran in and opted for the Norwegian speciality of meat, tatties, dumplings, turnip and butter sauce. Certainly did the trick so next off to the Belfry for pre-match rant and meet some other supporters. The Belfry is a good little bar and organised for football supporters and in this instance had already made sure certain supporters weren't welcome!

After that onto the ground which is a little out of town but plenty of supporters to follow including norsk Geordies. The least said about the match the better, it ending in a 1-1 draw and some unhappy people from both sides as Shearer was left on the bench by Sir Bobby. Good ground though and good local support with no agro. After the game we couldn't get back to the Belfry quick enough and Paul made sure he got straight back on his soap box.

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27th - 28th February 2004, Around Oslo

Next couple of days we had to wander around the town and although it was very very cold, Oslo is a fantastic city even more so when its cold and bleak. The pictures don't do the cold or the view justice but we had a wander around the castle to the south of the relatively small city. A great castle and a brilliant resistance museum which you'd be engrossed in even if it wasn't freezing outside, it really makes you feel patriotic and an affiliation with the Norwegians.

From the castle we headed round past the 60s city hall to Aker Brygge, the former shipyard which is now redeveloped and full of bars and restaurants. Spent a few good nights here when I worked in Oslo including a night in Morten Harkets karaoke bar.

A group of Arabs appeared but it turned out to be a stag night so we wandered around checking out the art including the brass woman in the red stilettos! Time for a beer or two!

Final views of Oslo, looking back from Aker Brygge to the castle lit up, down Karls Johangatan and some boats docked in the fjord just down from the castle. A great few days, pity about the football but what do you expect.

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