"It's a big change," grins Lauren Davidson as she stands pitchside at Brann Stadion having completed a transfer switch to Norway from Glasgow City this summer.
There's a reminder of back home for the Scotland internationalist, 22, as heavy rain and blowing winds force us to step back into the bowels of the stadium to discuss a whirlwind few seasons that led to Bergen, the gateway to the fjords.
A somewhat familiar backdrop is visible for Davidson with Scotland flags and swathes of black-and-white-clad supporters milling around the ground ahead of the Conference League tie against St Mirren.
It's a previously unthinkable and totally unexpected circumstance for Davidson as she backs new club SK Brann to a 3-1 victory ahead of her competitive debut for the women's side against Rosenborg this afternoon.
Little under two years ago, Davidson was still pulling ten-hour shifts as a delivery driver for Tesco to help support her footballing dream - now a fully-fledged professional in Norway, life could hardly be more different.
“It wasn’t even two years ago when I was doing delivery driving," recalls Davidson as she attempts to explain her rapid rise from aspiring pro to Norway newcomer. “I took a career break for six months to see if I could cope without the job and I never really wanted to go back!
“I developed my football, I was taking care of myself and my recovery properly.
“When you have got a second job it’s difficult to fully focus on football which is obviously my main priority.
“It wasn’t even two years ago and now I’m living and playing full-time in Norway. It’s different!
“I left Edinburgh from Hibs to go to Glasgow City and I wasn’t even on any sort of wage so I was doing 10-hour shifts at Tesco then I would go to train.
“It was tiring but then after four weeks, I got offered a contract and ever since then I have not looked back.
"I think a year into the contract I quit my job at Tesco and it has just gone on since then.
“I’m only 22 so I never expected to come to Norway but I thought why not take yourself outside of your comfort zone. It can only improve me as a player on and off the pitch.
I’m really enjoying it so far so I’m delighted that I made this decision."
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Davidson's switch to Bergen arose after going up against Brann in the Champions League while at Glasgow City. Impressed scouts took note of the winger with interest formally announced in mid-February.
Now, three weeks into life in Norway, Davidson is adapting well to a major lifestyle change living away from her family home and coming to terms with the sky-high prices and relentless showers of Bergen - which are small prices to pay for a major milestone in her fledgling career to date.
“I thought it was bad in Glasgow but it rains literally every single day here," jokes Davidson. “It’s different having moved away from my family for the first time as well – that’s a big change but I’m enjoying it and adapting slowly.
“It feels like my home now. It’s not that different to Glasgow. The city is lovely – it’s very much more expensive though – I’ve had to adjust to that!
“All the people are so nice and the language hasn’t been an issue as everyone speaks English – probably better English than me some of the time.
"I think I will try to learn some Norwegian - especially the basics but I'm going to give myself time to settle in."
While changes off the pitch have been major, Davidson was well prepared for the difference in standards on it having joined a club making major moves on the European stage.
“I think you saw last year how well they did in the Champions League," said Davidson. "That was also something that inspired me to come to the club.
"Glasgow City play Champions League but Brann were playing against the likes of Barcelona and Lyon and getting good results.
"I always want to be playing at the top of my game so I think it has always been something to push myself as much as I can.
“When I first joined Glasgow City it was completely different to what it is now.
“I think coming here even the standard of football in training is completely different – the players I am playing against every day most of them are internationalists.
“We have got quite a young squad but you would never know. The standard is completely different."
A surprising time in Davidson's career is perhaps best summed up by her first taste of a rocking Brann Stadion coming against a Scottish side - with childhood pal Marcus Fraser captaining St Mirren.
“It’s been quite nice Brann playing St Mirren," admitted the winger. "Even this morning when we finished training I saw the Scotland flag hanging outside. It’s like a wee bit of home here in Bergen.
“I never thought that this would be happening coming to Bergen, never mind St Mirren coming to play here too.
“I know Marcus Fraser. He used to stay in my estate when I was younger so I know him.
“It was our dads who knew each other, his dad done work in our house and I always knew him and his sister having grown up round the corner from him.”
