Norway Reunion

On 11 September 2001, I was part of a group representing Dunfermline on a fact-finding and contact-making visit to Trondheim, Norway—a day the world would remember due to the tragic destruction of the World Trade Center in New York.

Why Trondheim? Trondheim has been twinned with Dunfermline since 1945 and over the years, visitors from both cities have crossed the North Sea many times, though such exchanges had dwindled. This trip aimed to reinvigorate the connection by establishing new links with organisations in Trondheim.

While there, I visited ISAK, a youth centre, and Granskogen Skole in Flatåsen. From this school visit, connections blossomed, leading to several youth exchanges in 2003 between young West Fifers and their Norwegian counterparts.

Although Granskogen Skole closed in 2009, the friendships endured—and it was those bonds that brought us back in October 2025.

On Wednesday, 8 October, Dave Manderson, Tom Philips, and I landed in Hell, again. To clarify, the airport is located in the village of Hell, about 21 miles from Trondheim. Waiting for us were Odd Jomer Hov and Hans Iver Myran, two former teachers from Granskogen. After collecting us we picked up Per Erling before we headed to Odd Jomer’s mountain cabin.

After spending the night there, we headed to Oppdal—but not before enjoying a breakfast of bread, cheese, fruit jams, and two types of sausage. As you do on holiday, I sampled everything and found I preferred the spicier sausage of the two on offer so I said this to Odd Jomer and asked what it was made from, he informed me it was minke whale.

Oppdal is where Hans Iver grew up and where the youth exchange participants of the outdoor activities exchange stayed in 2003. The area is mountainous and transforms into a ski haven in winter. I lost count of the ski runs and cable cars dotting the hills.

After coffee and a delicious cake from a local confectioner, we visited a small scale ski manufacturer. The owner, who produces bespoke skis, was clearly passionate about crafting the perfect pair.

We lingered longer than expected at the workshop, making us late for a visit to Hans Iver’s school friend, who runs a small museum in what was once his family’s shop. The shop had closed many years ago—its doors locked, shelves still stocked.

He gave us free rein to explore and pointed out some quirky items, including a man’s all-in-one long johns with its own emergency trapdoor in the rear!

After more coffee and cake, we headed to our accommodation for the night—coincidentally, the venue for the 2003 Outdoor Exchange, though we stayed in a different cabin. We had the entire outdoor centre to ourselves, including the dining room. That evening, we were served a traditional Norwegian dinner of lamb, potatoes, with a fruit sauce by a lovely waitress who had earlier checked us in. Finishing the evening off by watching Scotland defeat Greece 3-1. How did that happen?

The next morning, after breakfast we set off along the coast road to Kristiansund, the main town in the Nordmøre region. The town spans several islands connected by tunnels and bridges—one of which featured in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Unfortunately, we arrived during the tail end of Hurricane Amy, making photography nearly impossible.

Later when booking into our hotel I could see our Norwegian hosts were a bit put out when booking us in and there was much discussion between them and the hotel receptionist. I would find out the reason very quickly when going to the room I was to share with Dave. On entering the room I was taken aback to find we’d been booked into a double room with one double bed. Each bed had two single duvets, so I told Mr Manderson, my bedmate, to stick to his own side of the bed and stay under his own duvet!

For dinner that evening, we tried Bacalao—a traditional dish made from dried and salted cod, cooked with tomatoes, potatoes, olives, and onions. It was surprisingly delicious.

Bacalau

The next morning after a cooked breakfast that resembled a British fry up we returned to Trondheim, specifically the Heimdal district, via a free 20-minute ferry ride. Heimdal is where Odd Jomer lives, having built his own home in his parents’ garden many years previous.

The purpose of our trip was a reunion with staff and young people who participated in the 2003 exchanges. Before those exchanges, I’d visited Trondheim twice—once as part of a fact-finding group, and again for a contact-making seminar with representatives from Norway, Spain, Ireland, Latvia, Estonia, and Scotland to explore youth exchange opportunities.

Ten years ago, I returned to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dunfermline–Trondheim link. Now, more than 20 years after the last exchange, we were back—eager to reconnect with those who could attend the reunion. Since the school had closed in 2009, we met at a local restaurant, and—true to form—food was involved.

And just like that, our five days in Norway were over. We had a fantastic time reconnecting with old friends and revisiting familiar places. Some were new, some were old, but all were memorable. Then it was time to fly back to Aberdeen and drive home to Fife.

Somehow, I don’t think this will be the last time the Budalen boys are together..

Left to right, me, Hans Iver, Dave Manderson, Odd Jomer Hov, Per Erling Tilset Larsen, Tom Philips.