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Conference turris::scandia

Title:All about Scandinavia
Moderator:TLE::SAVAGE
Created:Wed Dec 11 1985
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:603
Total number of notes:4325

279.0. "TV: Fat Man on a Bicycle (Goes Norse)" by TLE::SAVAGE (Neil, @Spit Brook) Tue Jul 12 1988 10:38

    American conference participants, in the Boston area at least, have a
    splendid opportunity to view an extraordinary Scandinavian travelogue
    by British radio personality Tom Vernon. In a four-part series, we
    witness the burly gentleman's adventures as he pedals some 1500 miles
    from Norway to the Russian border with Finland. 

    Part 1 (the Stravanger-to-Hell leg of the journey) first aired on
    Boston's Channel 2 last night, but will be repeated today, Tuesday, at
    12:30 and 23:00. It will also air again on Wednesday, July 13, at
    19:00. 

    [Hint: this is well worth taping - my son should be setting up the VCR
    to tape the 12:30 showing!] 

    For those of us who have been to some of the places Vernon visits, this
    a real nostalgia trip. For those of you who haven't been, but are
    interested, this series promises to give you an exceptionally real
    glimpse of why some of us are so enthusiastic about everything
    Scandinavian - especially the people. 

    One of my favorite sequences in the first episode is when Vernon has
    bicycled to a stony field with the complaint that he can't find a flat
    place to sit. He eventually finds one and starts to eat a banana. Very
    shortly he has company: first one hungry goat and then another. The
    camera eventually pulls back to reveal a whole flock has joined him. 

    Throughout the episode, Vernon continues to find himself in, or create,
    humorous situations. He balances this with more serious moments, such
    as the interview with Jan Dahm, the WW II resistance leader. Still the
    overall temper of the episode remains lighthearted. 

    This program is very watchable just to take in Norwegian culture -
    wonderful folk songs, and national costumes. Tip: watch this program on
    a TV set with good color and sound. 

    Other highlights of the first episode are: 

	o Constitution Day observances in Stravanger
	o Radio commentator Ivar Garberg on Norway's social problems
	  (he strongly denounces the government's programs as a sham)
	o A child 'wedding' in Voss
	o Vernon samples Norwegian home-made Aquavit ['white lighting' to you
	  mountain folks]
                                              
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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279.1Must watch this series!CASEY::BURACKKes� on kaunisTue Jul 12 1988 13:135
    I am glad I taped this last night - really enjoyable. I can't wait
    until he gets to Finland! It really shows you the flavor of the
    country and the people.
    
    Ruth-Ellen
279.2MUST WATCHCYGNUS::OLSENThu Jul 14 1988 14:092
    SORRY I MISSED LAST NIGHTS CH.2 PROGRAM ON NORWAY.DOES ANYONE KNOW
    WHEN PART 2 COMES I WOULD HATE TO MISS IT.
279.3Have to go with the same schedule as this weekTLE::SAVAGENeil, @Spit BrookThu Jul 14 1988 16:377
    Channel 2 in Boston should be following the same sequence as outlined
    in the base note; that is, first showing Monday at 8 p.m., Tuesday
    at 12:30 & 11 p.m, Wednesday at 7 p.m.
    
    For other areas of the US, check local TV program guides for listings.
    Channel 11 in NH is not broadcasting this, although VT's Channel
    41 is. I guess it's up to local PBS station managers. 
279.4CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Thu Jul 14 1988 17:013
    What's the title of this, so I have some hope of finding it in the
    Calif listings?  Thanks.
    
279.5Title: Adventure/ Description of Part 2TLE::SAVAGENeil, @Spit BrookFri Jul 15 1988 09:5312
    Re: .4:  >What's the title of this...?                                                      
    
    My TV Guide lists it under the title "ADVENTURE" - it is part of the
    PBS 'Adventure' series. 
    
    Details of Part 2, quoted from TV Guide:

    "Tom Vernon pedals toward Sweden via Norwegian Lapland and visits an
    abandoned copper mine where concerts are now held ('In a minor key,' he
    jests); and a cottage where he samples reindeer meat. In a Swedish town
    outside of Storsatern, Vernon meets a restauranteur who introduces him
    to goat butter and raw elk. 
279.6Details of Part 3TLE::SAVAGENeil, @Spit BrookFri Jul 22 1988 09:215
    Part 3 begins with a visit to a Swedish copper mine, and to a bakery
    that uses wood-fired stoves in make crispbread. Vernon also attends
    a traditional summer dinner in Dalarna, where women are crowned
    with garlands of flowers to celebrate mankind's victory over the
    elements [of darkness and cold presumably]. 
279.7The conclusionTLE::SAVAGENeil, @Spit BrookFri Jul 29 1988 21:413
    In Finland, Vernon visits a Gypsy farm family in Turku [doesn't DEC
    have a facility in Turku?].  At a river bank in Hameenlinna, he
    observes a community carpet cleaning. 
279.8YesHSK03::AMANNISTOEn�� 8674 p�iv�� el�kkeeseen...Sat Jul 30 1988 16:514
Re: .-1
	Yes, we have FS facility over there.

		Asko
279.9EXCELLENT PBS SERIESSHARE::DYERFri Aug 05 1988 17:354
    Yes, it was excellent but we were a little disappointed that he
    did not go to Denmark.  He had also lost weight by the time he had
    finished.  Guess I'll get back on that bike.
    
279.10CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Fri Aug 05 1988 19:243
    Me, too, I wished he'd gone to Denmark.  I must say, I'm surprised
    he didn't have a heart attack, bicycling in that condition.
                                                       
279.11TOPDOC::AHERNWhere was George?Mon Aug 22 1988 16:254
    He would've found Denmark to be a lot easier on cycling.  There's
    not too many hills compared to Norway and Sweden.
    
    
279.12Re: -.1OSLLEG::TERJESCHome is where the couch is!Wed Aug 24 1988 13:311
    Are there hills in Denmark at ALL ???? :-)
279.1325701::MINOWIt's not pseudo eclectic, it's real eclecticWed Aug 24 1988 17:145
>    Are there hills in Denmark at ALL ???? :-)

Why, are you missing one?

M.
279.14Of course we have hills...COPCLU::GEOFFREYDenmark Services FinanceMon Aug 29 1988 05:0412
    
    
    Denmark's loftiest piece of topography is ambitiously called
    HIMMELBJERG, translated as SKY MOUNTAIN. It is around 360 feet (120
    meters) high. One of the few places not covered during high water...
    
    
    Hilsen,
    
    Geoff