ABC Wednesday - E is for, well, myself.

Some of those who follow this blog will now what the last E in my "signature" stands for. Norwegians will know what it means, but for people outside Scandinavia I suspect that the meaning is not self-evident. It may also be hard to pronounce for some, though the Germans and the Dutch have no problems. I'll spare you all the variants that I have heard in the UK, US and other English-speaking countries.

It is like many Norwegian names based on local geography - it means an isthmus. Wikipedia defines it like this:

An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas.

In the coastal part of Norway it is a fairly common surname. Anyone who has seen a map of Norway can readily understand why. Below is a map of the particular area where my name comes from - Ostereidet.

This particular isthmus separates the two fjords Osterfjorden og Hindenesfjorden and is situated North-East of Bergen - about an hour's drive by car. It is in the municipality of Lindås and is a typical little village with a couple of shops, petrol station, school and a church. And of course some hundred inhabitants in the immediate area.

My father was born here, and here is where we have our summer cottage. I also have a number of cousins living in the area. It is my roots.

This picture shows the view from the highest point on the road (Leitet) across the istmus and features Osterfjorden and Ostereidet itself with the old quay which used to be the centre for all transportation, and for most other activities too, in "the old days".

If you want to have a look at Hindenesfjorden, just turn around and walk a couple of kilometres and you may see something like this.


Today's post is an entry in the fourth round of ABC Wednesday, the meme initiated by Denise Nesbitt.

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