Professional man of leisure

New work strategy: become a professional man of leisure.

When we decided to move to Norway we started selling stuff so that we wouldn't have to transport it. Then I had a brief visit back to Norway and remembered just how expensive everything was. The new plan became to horde as much gear as possible and bring it all with us.

In a brilliant moment of foresight (to which I am not often privy) this included a lot of sports equipment, two bikes (mountain and road) a frisbee (yes, I'm counting a frisbee as sports equipment), two fishing roads (ditto) a basket ball, rugby boots and trainers.

What this all means is that despite not having a job and not being able to afford beer I can afford to get outside and do sports. I've joined the rugby team, I'm investigating cycling teams, Camilla and I shoot hoops in the evening and I'm going to go fishing this weekend. I'm not jogging. I hate jogging. But there's all kinds of healthy things I can be getting on with (when I'm not looking for work). I've lost half a stone.

A friend and I were talking about how training, exercise, sport and outdoor activities were absolutely integral to Norwegian culture. So I guess I'm integrating too. I'm even managing to tan without burning, something I've never managed before and something that immediately and completely camoflaged my Britishness. It's like an invisibility cloak having a tan (alright, a bit of colour) in Norway, people just assume you're not British.

I'm still meeting people and still enjoying the queues of a new countries administrative institutions - but you don't want to hear about that, it's boring. A highlight this week is that my Economist subscription has finally been rerouted so I'm back in the loop of International politics and intrigue. Hooray!