This week was more of the same routine we have grown used to in Oslo, This means that we had practices, and in our spare time between these, we ventured around Strømmen and Oslo, before our games on the weekend.

So, this week, while Rhian was away in the United Kingdom at her grandmother's funeral, Amy and I kept decided to keep busy by visiting a few of the islands in the Oslo Fjord. The first island we went to was Hovedøya, and we made the decision because we had heard there were monastery ruins there. The island did not disappoint.

We reached the island, and to the best of our knowledge, we found that it was deserted, except for the two of us. It was a grey day, and while the island is a popular spot in the summer, it is not exactly tourist season here anymore. We started off with a lengthy walk around the island, then we skipped some rocks on the water. We took some pictures using some ancient cannons on the island's bank, and finally we met an interesting flock of sheep. However, just after this, we spotted what appeared to be about 80 school children, recently arrived on the island, and making their way towards us. We turned tail immediately, and hurried our pace to reach the monastery ruins before they were overrun by the children on the field trip. These ruins were very cool, and Amy and I both thought they were well worth the trip.

After our swift visit to Hovedøya, we decided that while we were in the area, we might as well check out another island. The only question was  which one to choose? Amy had done some research on the islands the night before, and so she suggested Gressholmen, because this island was known for its large rabbit population. Yes, for its rabbits! Since this is all the information we had to go on about any of the other islands, we decided to go to this island and seek out these busy little rabbits.

We did eventually arrive at Gressholmen, and this time, I am fairly certain that we were the only ones there. This includes the rabbits! We looked around and then checked the ferry schedule only to discover we were stuck on this supposedly rabbit-infested island for the next hour and a half.

In this hour and a half Amy and I covered every inch of the island: Twice. Then we loitered around for a while more, and we were able to determine definitively that there are no rabbits on this island:None. Amy even checked under every tree and shrub, and there weren't even many of these. Ah yes, another productive use of our time!

After the island "hopping," it was back to business. On Saturday 11th October, Team Strømmen played Kolbotn, away in Kolbotn, in the Norway Topserrien League. The fixture was billed as a battle between the second placed Kolbotn team, and the third placed Team Strommen side. If we won the game, then we would be tied in points with Kolbotn, and share second place in the league.

It was a big game, but I thought we had a shaky first half. We just didn’t seem to be able to connect within the team. However, we did score the first goal, early in the half. after a great effort by Marit. Unfortunately, Kolbotn soon equalized.

We scored again to retake the lead, when Ella Massar (recently chosen in the WPSL draft with Chicago Red Star) put in the rebound from a shot from Nasra. But, but once again, Kolbotn soon equalized when they converted a penalty kick.

After this 2-2 tie at the half, we received a break when my pass across the Kolbotn goal was deflected by a defender into the back of the net for a 3-2 lead. For the rest of the match we were pinned down for much of the play, but we still produced several chances which could have sealed the game. As it was, Kolbotn kept pressurizing us, and fortunately a couple of corners that beat our keeper were aimed directly at me, as I held my position on the post,

In the end we were able to hold on to the win and take the three points. It is a good win for Team Strømmen, and we are now in second place in the League, as well as making the Norway Cup Final, which is scheduled for 8th November, 2008.

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