Journal

Opera House 1 Opera House, 2 Opera House, 3 Opera House, 4 Opera House, 5 Opera House, 6 Opera House, 7 Opera House, 8 Opera House, 9

We have walked around – and over – the Opera House several times now, in sunshine and in the twilight. Glorious.

Elaine and I walked around the Oslo Opera House twice today, once in full sunlight, once in the twilight.  What an astounding building it is.  Photos will follow when I have a certain cable to hand.

BI, interior Blurred shot of Elaine and Joel (Bakan), en route to our session

Met Bill McKibben today, after being blown away by his presentation on the 350 campaign. Resolved to get both Volans and SustainAbility involved, if it kills me. Then did the session at BI, the management school, with Joel Bakan, who I first met some time ago when I chaired a discussion panel at the London premiere of his film, The Corporation. Great fun.

Introducing my session, I spotlighted Jorgen Randers, who had kicked off the event, as a “dinosaur”, in the sense that 1972’s Limits to Growth study had been seminal in my evolution, a mere 37 years ago. He got an ovation. Then, to spread the insults around, I noted that Elaine and I just realised that today was our wedding anniversary – another ovation.

Last night, Joel and his wife Rebecca played guitar (him) and sang (her) at the US Embassy, where many of us had repaired for dinner. They hugely endeared themselves to me by doing one of my favourite Grace Slick/Jefferson Airplane songs.

After our Summit debate, Joel and I did a session with students. Then on to the British Embassy for a reception, where we were treated – among other things – to a rap band and a duet playing Tchaikovsky. 

Jan-Olaf at the wheel Elderly couple cut across our bow Andreas takes the wheel A sight that would once have struck terror Vikings

A second yachting venture, this time in the opposite direction, to retrieve two anchors that Jan-Olaf had lost on a previous voyage. He had called in heavy-duty help, in the shape of Odd Fellow II and a diver, who soon found the first anchor, in nine metres of water, but discovered that the second had gone at least 50 metres down, and could well be irretrievable. Later, when we got back, Elaine spotted a yacht called Volans: then she and I headed across to the Hotel Bristol, ahead of the Sustainability Summit tomorrow.

Odd Fellow II Wave on the waves Volans

Windowsill Breakfast Implements Deck of the Inspired Elaine Oslo Opera House

Elaine and I arrived yesterday in Oslo, to stay with Jan-Olaf Williums and, a few days later, to attend the Oslo Sustainability Summit – where I was was due to speak on the second day. Today, Jan-Olaf took us out on his yacht, Inspired, sailing around Oslo Fjord. Our first glimpse of the extraordinarily beautiful Oslo Opera House. Afterwards, we visited the Folk Museum, which was fascinating. Rain played across the landscape, cross-cut by sunshine. During one downpour, we sampled pancakes made by a couple of young women, later we sampled fresh-made soup in a small cottage: only when Jan-Olaf had seconds and the pot was stirred did I realised that this wasn’t entirely vegetarian. The girl cooking and entertaining mentioned that she was studying architecture – and deeply embroiled in … sustainable development.

Inspired’s bottom, or stern Stave church Stave church, 2 Pancake baking Scarecrow Window and churns It’s got legs Early variant of the horse Still life Window display Study in black Old gas station They’re everywhere: the Buddy electric car