Gressholmen
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Take a good look at the islands behind the lighthouse we are passing now. Believe it or not, but there was actually an airport here! When it was built in 1927, it was also Norway's first scheduled airport. Of course, it was shut down as these three small interconnected islands—Gressholmen, Heggholmen, and Rambergøya—are barely larger than a Boeing 747. Locally, all three islands are collectively known as Gressholmen. Heggholmen Lighthouse was built in 1876 and has both a light and a fog bell to safely guide boats into the Oslo harbor. As you can see, the lighthouse is surrounded by idyllic nature and beautiful beaches. Both people and birds thrive here. The bay between the islands is an important nesting and grazing area for seabirds. Over 160 different bird species have been recorded, and 340 different plant species documented on the islands. Because of this, the area is registered as a nature reserve, and camping or lighting fires on the islands is not allowed. However, it is possible to visit the island, and there is a very cozy inn that is beautifully situated and open during the summer. In 1865, the "Christiania Vaabenøvelsesforening" built a clubhouse and shooting ranges on the island. Members could buy milk, beer, and sandwiches in the shooting association's house. Additionally, they were served free tobacco! Whether they also got free coffee with the tobacco is not known.