Norway's is the only national day in which parades consist exclusively of child participants. School bands march through the centre of town. I didn't venture out early to see such things, though. My day began at noon at a private frokost ("breakfast") at Sound of Mu, with a grand selection of food, and champagne. I wore a suit, which was the done thing if you don't have a national costume. The picture above was taken during the festivities.

Outside, Grünerløkka School paraded past my bar on their way back.

But I couldn't dally at Mu. What was Oslo's immigrant community doing? Well, the Afro-Caribbeans had it all sorted on a café boat called the MS Innvik. I went down there with a portable family to check it out. There was a theatrical performance for children, then a "reggae family disco." There was food and affordable beer, which suited me fine.

Elsewhere on the dock, four guys were shooting up. One of them held a Norwegian flag as he injected himself.

At night, I DJed at a huge party, from 8.30pm till sometime after 4am. I had unlimited free beer and earned more than a month's rent! Sometimes I feel very cushioned by Norwegian life.

However, people had been drinking literally all day long. I had several tables to protect me from the public, but on two occasions dancers fell into the sound desk. There was also a fight. Someone broke a window.

As if to underline some ineffable point, the next day I received my five-year residency permit.