Text and images Britt Arnhild Wigum Lindland
I couldn't plan the time of the break, but I knew I needed a walk, and as soon as the opportunity came, I used it.
I am in Tønsberg, southwest of Oslo, the oldest city in Norway.
I have been to Tønsberg many times. When I was a girl we used to spend time during the summer here, camping, and visiting my aunt Gunvor and uncle Frank. Later I've come here for different reasons, once a quilt festival, several times to visit friends, last year for the annual synod of the Church of Norway. The synod again this year.
Every time I've come here I've seen the small hill with the old castle tower on top, Slottsfjellet.
Every time I've seen Slottsfjellet and the tower, I've wanted to climb it.
Yesterday I did!
And I chose the perfect time for my climb. When I arrived the top I realised that the sun was on her way down. Everything was bathed in a golden light.
I waited of course. Watching the sun going to bed, singing her a lullaby. Imagining myself decades and centuries back in history.
750 years ago there was a young girl living here, Princess Kristina, the daughter of King Håkon Håkonsson. In 1256 a group of men came from Spain all the way up to Norway to seek out this beautiful girl. The Spanish King Alfonso the Wise wanted Princess Kristina as a wife for his brother.
The story tells that Princess Kristina died young in Spain
Back in the city I stopped at a bookstore and bought a book about the princess.
I do have quite a lot of photos from the sunset. I might share some of them over at 365Project the coming days....... (you might need to register to be able to see the photos. It is simple, and free)
