Scandi

Longstanding maritime traditions and extensive coastlines mean that seafood also plays a major role in Scandi cuisine, and in my baking.

When it comes to fictional accounts, and notwithstanding the current 'Scandi Crime' trend following in the wake of Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy, Norwegian viewers have predominantly been exposed to Anglo-American programming.

Things start encouragingly enough with attractive redbrick mansion blocks and municipal buildings, cobbled streets and interesting boutiques nestled between big high street stalwarts. The place looks a lot like a Scandi version of Guildford.

Rivalry with other middle-market brands competing for shoppers’ hard-earned cash has been ferocious, thanks to the likes of Me+Em, Rixo and Kitri, as well as the continued onslaught of chic Scandi brands such as & Other Stories, Arket, Cos and the more expensive Ganni.

A bonus for those working on their tans in the stands, but in the dressing room the made-for-the-shade Brits and the Scandis are sweating uncomfortably already.

One of the Scandis, Sandra, had talked about how the men in south east Asia stared openly at women.