WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, JULY 12TH AND 13TH – NASHVILLE TO NEWARK TO FRANKFURT TO OSLO TO SANDANE, NORWAY!
Flying to Norway for the annual “Norsk Countrytreff” with Dale Watson on their “Outlaw Night” on Friday night and Josh Turner headlining their Country Night on Saturday. Had a “decent” departure time from Nashville (which allowed me to sleep a total of 3 hours last night). LOL. I am flying United/Lufthansa – which I HATE. Preparing myself for the “drama”. Yesterday, their website and App went down and I couldn’t check in. Check in at the airport was actually “easy” and the flight departed on time.
I refuse to sit in a bulkhead or window seat. At the last minute, a blonde lady and a man who definitely looked like someone out of the Godfather walked on the plane. She asked me to change seats with him so they could sit together. He was in a bulkhead aisle seat. I apologized and told her I would not change and she should ask the man in the aisle bulkhead if he would change with her. He refused as well.
Between the two of them, they were carrying 6 oversized bags and trying to stuff them in the already full overhead space. I got up so she could get in her seat still carrying two of the huge bags. She managed to knock over the full glass of water that the flight attendant had just given me. (United is way too cheap to give bottles of water even in first class!). It spilled on my iPhone and charger. After drying everything off, I plugged the charger back in but immediately got a message that the charger was wet and could not charge the device until it dried out. Nice!
She spent most of the time during the flight leaning over the seat in front of her rubbing the man’s hair. She had on a pair of skintight lycra tights that had to be giving her a major wedgie as they looked like they cut all the way up to her waist. Nice view for me. When she wasn’t leaning over the seat, she pulled out a huge cosmetic bag and proceeded to apply makeup. And that was my entertainment on the flight because United definitely doesn’t offer any entertainment options
Landed on time in Newark and went to the Lufthansa Lounge. The lady directed me to my right and it was packed! Only spent a few minutes in there and as I was leaving, I noticed another room to the left for million milers and first class passengers – where I could have gone.
The Lufthansa flight sucked as I suspected. The business class seats were 2/2/2 which means the person in the window seat by me had to crawl over me when I reclined my seat to sleep. Seats were tiny! As we were taxing, the announcement was made that the WiFi did not work on the aircraft– only the announcement was made in German. I spent an hour trying to connect before asking the flight attendant if something was wrong with the WiFi. Food was mediocre and movies were even worse. At least I got 2 hours of sleep.
Landed on time in Frankfurt and this time I went to the First Class Lounge. We landed in Terminal 1 at gate V69 and my flight departed out of Terminal 1, Gate A69. I was excited to see I was arriving and departing out of the same terminal until I realized the gates were are far apart as possible. I checked my steps and logged 7,952 steps between the two gates. Can’t wait to see what is in store for me on the flight from Frankfurt to Oslo.
The flight from Frankfurt to Oslo on Lufthansa was the usual type of business class configuration. The seats are 3 and 3 – just like in coach. The only difference is the middle seat is blocked. We had to take a bus out to the airplane from the terminal. Once on board, we sat and sat and sat and did not depart. Never a good sign. The pilot come on the speaker and said that the minute our bus departed the terminal, they loaded the remaining passengers on the next bus. When that bus departed, the computer system went down. He said that somewhere out there, a bus filled with passengers for our flight was driving around with no idea where the aircraft was located because everything depended on the computer system. About 40 minutes later, we departed to Oslo.
The ticket agent in Nashville was able to tag my checked bag all the way to Sandane – which under normal circumstances means that I would not need to pick it up in Oslo and re-check it. Several years ago, Norway changed their rules and you for flights within Norway, we no longer had to pick up our bags and re-check them. I can to a point where I had to scan my boarding pass to go through to the connecting gate area. It didn’t work. I asked the airport agent what I needed to do and she said I had to go downstairs, pick up my bags and take them upstairs to recheck and clear security. I showed her my claim check and she told me to check with SAS at Baggage Claim. I did that and was informed that even though my bag was checked through, I had to pick it up, recheck it and go through security!
I arrived at the gate area about an hour before we were due to board and found Dale and his musicians. I have known Dale and one of his musicians for decades and enjoyed talking to them during the wait.
Wideroe does not have assigned seats so we made sure we got in the front of the line. It is a tiny prop plane which I always dread flying. With the cloudy, windy weather today, my anxiety was even higher. My rolling bag would not fit in the overhead but they let me put it under my seat and my purse in the overhead. It was packed full. When I was rechecking my bag in the terminal, a lady and little boy were in front of me in line. The little boy kept watching me and I “entertained” him while his Mom was checking in. They were on my flight and sat with me on the plane. He is only 1 ½ years old and a doll. I should have taken a photo of him. He didn’t whine or cry one the entire flight. He did look at me like I was “strange”. LOL.
Flight wasn’t “terrible” and when we landed, all our checed pieces were on the flight. Nils from the festival and his staff met us at baggage claim (which is also the check in counter and security because the airport is so tiny). Cor Sanne and Joke (my dear friends from Holland) were also there and Gunnar (who I have worked with for decades) also met us. We got everything packed into two vans and drove the short 10 minutes to the hotel. When I began checking everyone in, I learned that the hotel did not have our arrival date until tomorrow. I sent the guys to the restaurant to have dinner while the hotel sorted out the situation. They were able to secure our rooms in the new part of the hotel (which is air conditioned).
Disappointed that the hotel no longer seems to offer salmon on their menu. That’s what everyone looks forward to when they come to Norway because it is the best in the world. Will ask them today if it can be added to the menu. I had dinner with Cor and Joke and then left for my room to unpack, shower and work until 3 am. Busy day tomorrow with Dale’s sound check and performance and Josh’s group arrival.
Jude
FRIDAY, JULY 14TH, 2023 – DALE WATSON PERFORMANCE AT NORSK COUNTRY TREFF:
Can’t believe I’ve gotten so far behind on my “Road Reports”. Just no time to write anything and now I’ve forgotten most of what happened!
Got up in time to depart to sound check with Dale and the musicians at 9:20 am. We have to sound check early because there is a second stage at the venue and entertainment starts on it at 1 pm each day. We have to finish before they begin performing. It literally took Dale and his guys 20 minutes to sound check. They are a “dream” to work with! After sound check we stopped by a “local waterfall” That used to have a salmon run as well. It’s pretty impressive even without the salmon run.
As soon as we got back to the hotel, I walked across the street to the markets to purchase some candy for gifts and a salad for lunch. Also walked up the street and got a “soft ice” – my favorite ice cream in the world! Then it was time to go to the airport to meet Josh Turner’s group. I was so worried that all the luggage and equipment would make it on the flight! Turns out, I had a right to be worried. Five suitcases did not come on the flight. At least all the band equipment showed up. There was another flight coming in later tonight and Wideroe “promised” the missing bags would be on it. Turns out only 3 of the 5 were on the later flight.
Before we left the hotel, I picked up the room keys for everyone but immediately noticed that three of the keys were the old brass keys which mean those people would be in the old part of the hotel. I fought to get them moved but the hotel insisted that all the rooms were full. Josh was in one of the old rooms and I told the front desk to switch him with someone in our group so that he was in the new part. When we arrived back at the hotel, Ben and I walked upstairs to check out the 3 rooms in the old part of the hotel and they were “fine” – just no air conditioning.
Had dinner with Renee (Josh’s manager and a long time friend) and then headed back out to the venue for Dale’s show. It has been raining on and off all day today and hoping it stays dry until after his show. He had a really big crowd and did a fantastic show. Only sprinkled a few times. Renee rode out to the festival with us to check out the venue. We walked around and I saw so many people I know.
It was late when we arrived back at the hotel and I had work to do until 2 am! Going to be a rough day tomorrow with everything that is going on!
SATURDAY, JULY 15TH – JOSH TURNER PERFORMANCE AT NORSK COUNTRY TREFF:
Up at 6 am to be ready for a 8:20 am departure to sound check. Everything ran smoothly and they finished fight on time at noon. We drove to the church for a quick sound check. The church is fabulous – just like the song “Little Church in the Wildwood” depicts. After sound check we drove to the waterfall again for a group photo and then most of the group went to a local restaurant for lunch. I had to work and also “re-pack” my suitcase. To save space, I decided to send my large suitcase with Dale and his group and just have them store it at the Radisson until I arrive on Sunday. It was hard to figure out what to keep in Breim and what to send to Oslo.
We went back to the church at 3 pm. I didn’t get to see the performance because they were running late. I had to go the airport to meet the only flight that was coming in from Oslo at 5:20 pm today and also get Dale’s group checked in. I called the Radisson at the Olso Airport and confirmed their rooms would be ready for check at around 7 pm tonight.
It took over an hour for the luggage / equipment off the plane and then there was only 1 of the 2 missing arrived. The lady at Wideroe was rude and not helpful at all. She refused to take down the information and contact the Oslo airport and ask them NOT to send the bag to Sandane tomorrow since we fly back to Oslo to spend the night before flying home on Monday.
Came back to the hotel and had a nice dinner which this time DID include salmon! Only had about 30 minutes to “fluff and puff” before leaving for the show. Josh had a short M&G with 10 fans prior to the performance.
He took the stage right on time and I’ve never seen this many people at this event in the 25 years I’ve been coming here. It started raining lightly just as he went on but that didn’t keep the people from coming out of their campers to watch the show. Such a fantastic performance.
After the show, Nils gave Josh a license plate that he had requested earlier and we immediately went back to the hotel. The plan tomorrow as far as baggage is to have someone pick up me, Ben, Jordan and many one other guy so to the airport 30 minute before everyone else and we’ll check in all the luggage/equipment. Then someone from the festival will stay until all the bags come off the airplane to see if the one missing bag comes in. Also, they will find out how many pieces of luggage did not make it on the flight to Oslo. Whatever is left over will be driven about 1 hour to another airport and hopefully put on a 9 pm flight to Oslo. If the bags won’t fit on that flight, then the plan is to have someone drive the 5 hours to Oslo. Sure hope it doesn’t come to that!
Jude
SUNDAY, JULY 16TH – TRAVEL FROM SANDANE TO OSLO:
Got up at 8:00 am to see if the rain had stopped so that I could go for a 3 mile jog. Sun was shining (thank goodness) so I was able to get in my jog. The weather was actually perfect but I could feel the altitude a little. Once against, my biggest challenge was the seagulls. They are nesting at this time of the year and very protective of their territory. I had them following me, squawking and dive bombing my head almost the entire jog. I was determined to ignore them this time….plus I had my pepper spray with me. LOL.
Showered and met Vager, Nils, Freddy and Gunnar for a “meeting” regarding this year’s success and next year. We had 21,300 people attend this year – setting a record of more than 3,000 attendees that ever before. They were extremely pleased with the performances of Dale and Josh. We discussed possible options for 2024 and I’ll start following up on those today. They said they saw a much younger demographic at the show but also managed to keep their loyal fans in the older demographic. Perfect.
As I mentioned, I’ve been coming to this event for decades and the staff here are like “family” to me. And they treat all the entertainers that I bring over like family as well. Every artist who performs here has loved the experience.
Had a quick lunch with Renee and then rushed upstairs to finish packing. Ben and I went to the airport to check everyone in and had the rest of the group come over later. “Supposedly” Wideroe was prepared for our group (40 pieces of checked baggage between 14 people!). They said they put on less fuel so they could accommodate all the luggage. Not sure I liked that plan. Regardless, 17 musicians from other groups were also on our flight so we knew there was no way everything would make it on the plane.
They proceeded to charge us excess on bags that they knew were not going to make it on the plane. Also, we had asked them NOT to send Ben’s bag that was left behind the entire weekend to us today since we were leaving for Oslo and could just pick it up there. Everyone went through to the gate area and Kristin stayed behind to see if Ben’s bag came in even though we had asked that it not too. Sure enough, the bag arrived. She had it re-tagged and sent through to go on our flight. About 10 minutes later, Kristin said that 5 pieces did not make it on the flight – including Ben’s. The gate agent said they had to remove 400 kilos of weight – that’s 880 pounds so obviously our pieces were not the only ones that didn’t make it. Kristin loaded everything onto a cargo truck and drove it to Sogndal – the next nearest airport. “Supposedly”, there were only 8 passengers on that flight so everything would make it to Oslo later tonight at around 10:10 pm.
The flight to Oslo was terrible. Turbulence the entire way and a stop en route in Songdal. When we finally landed, Josh’s bag was also missing. Kristin had sent me photos of the bag tags she was flying to us and Josh’s was not in those. Evidently only 4 photos came through and there should have been 5 and his bag was on the later flight.
We walked over to the Radisson Hotel from the terminal and I checked everyone in – slowly! Took forever to get our room keys. The hotel restaurant was still open so we opted to eat there. I took my bags upstairs to drop them and my key didn’t work. Went back down to the desk to get another key and they said it did work…I just had to push down really hard on the door handle! I literally had to put all my weight on the handle to open it –both from the outside and the inside. Not good. Also, the large, heavy bathroom door would not stay open and I had to pull a heavy table over to keep it open. There was a slight step up into the bathroom which I knew I would trip over several dozen times. I’ve stayed at this hotel for decades and never had a room in this condition.
There was only one person working in the restaurant and he kept apologizing for the extremely slow service. Took us over 2 hours to get served and eat. Ben even had to leave and go get the missing bags while we were waiting for the food to come out.
After dinner, Ben and I walked back to the airport to use the Kiosks to check everyone in, print boarding passes and bag tags. Only the kiosks were being difficult. I finally got mine printed and Ben printed a couple of theirs but we gave up in frustration and decided to deal with it at the check in counter tomorrow.
Went back to hotel and grabbed a couple of hours sleep before heading to the airport. One group has to go to the airport at 3:30 am for a 6:00 am departure and the rest of us go over at 8:15 am.
MONDAY, JULY 17TH – FLIGHT BACK TO NASHVILLE:
Line was short for check-in and I went through security to look for Marzipan candy for my family. I planned to meet up with Josh’s group at the gate area but turns out we were in a completely different location! I found the gate area and also had a text from Ben saying it had taken them over an hour just to get one piece of excess baggage tagged and checked through. Thank you SAS. Lufthansa and SAS are both part of the United Airlines “family” and thus the problem….
I was in the jetway waiting to board the flight to Munich but a man in a knee brace had the line stopped. The flight attendants were talking to him and finally made him move into their “crew” area. Evidently, he wanted a row of seats in first class all to himself because of his left knee. The flight attendant convinced one man to move and gave him the seat across from me. It was then that I learned that his wife was sitting in the row next to me and had not offered to have his sit with her. Unbelievable.
His cane and someone else’s long “tube” got packed on top of my roller bag. I had a short connection so asked the flight attendant to rearrange everything before we landed so I could get my bag out without having to wait for everyone else to move their items.
Made it to the gate for my flight from Munich to Chicago and thought the plane was leaving on time. I have an even shorter connection once I land in Chicago. Unfortunately, Lufthansa decided to “wait” for several passengers – 45 minutes they waited! Why does that never happen to me? So, I knew I was going to miss my connection from Chicago to Nashville. I only had one hour connecting time .
As usual, the WiFi wasn’t working but did come on about 3 hours prior to landing. The food was mediocre but at least I was able to change my seat so that the person sitting next to me was also in an aisle seat (as opposed to a window seat) and didn’t have to crawl over me every time he needed to go to the toilet! I ate, slept, and then worked for 3 hours once the Wi-Fi came on.
When we landed, I hit the ground running. In 50 minutes, I ran .6 of a mile to the Global Entry Lane, cleared Immigration, picked bags and rechecked them, took a train from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3, cleared security and made it on the flight home to Nashville. I was running like a crazy person and sweating profusely. At least I was in a single seat by the window and no one had to sit next to me!
Glad to be home. Fantastic people working at the festival, musicians, attendees, and event. Cannot say enough good things about the “Norsk Country Treff” staff and the wonderful entertainers – Josh Turner and Dale Watson – and their musicians/crew.
Happy to be home for two weeks!!
Jude