"Summer" in Røldal

Yesterday I was a short trip to Røldal to pick up som gear left there when I moved down from Hardangervidda. Long drive with a slow car that is in desperate need for a check-up at the cardoctor. But at least the sun was shining all day! And there is still plenty of snow for those of you who are keen on some skiing. 

It still looks like Easter at Røldal Skisenter. Really a shame that they closed so early. 

I only had my phone with me, so sorry for the poor picture quality...

Tour des Fjords // Haugesund Sauda

This weekend we were in Sauda. We came from Bergen and were lucky to drive into Sauda just before the Tour des Fjords arrived in Sauda. We managed to see the final part as all the riders came into Sauda. Horrible weather with rain cold temperatures, but a lot of people were along the roads to watch!! Our local hero from Stavanger, Alexander Kristoff, won!!!

On Saturday, it was the more local race Haugesund-Sauda. And the weather was a bit nicer. It was also Saudadagene with a lot of concerts and activities in the city centre for all ages. Great fun! My dear boyfriend participated in the race and finished at impressive 3.26! Jr and I are soooo proud!!!

When we drove back home on Sunday, there was finally a little glimpse of sun and I managed to take a few shots from the car as we left Sauda. Fingers crossed that the summer will arrive soon, it is deeply missed....

Spring in Stavanger

Sooooo, long time, no see... Life has again made some big changes and I am back in the city after a couple of years in the mountains. Spring has been cold, but fingers crossed that we get a nice summer then!

Just a few snaps from our summerhouse, where we have had a few days in the sun (in-between the rain...).

The little Sausage is still going strong, and enjoys her favourite look-out point by the window. Every time someone walks by she´ll let everybody know, loud and clear!!!
 

Norway´s oldest tunnel

Today I´ve visited the oldest tunnel in Norway. It is actually 10 minutes by car west of Haukeliseter. I´ve never known this, but a good friend and colleague had been there and showed us the way. It is located on the old road that goes over the Haukelitunnel. This road is only open half the year when there is no snow. Instead of going through the current tunnel, you take the old road from the sixties and park along the road on the top. From there it is only a short hike towards west. The view on the way is also really nice. And it´s an easy hike even for small children.

The tunnel was built in 1886 and is along the old-old road that crosses the mountain. There is another not-so-old road that goes above the tunnel on today´s road and this is the one you drive along to get there.

In the middle, a few parts are broken, but this actually makes a nice viewpoint and lets some light into the tunnel.

The Beard also came along. Her little friend is trying to get her to sit, but she couldn´t care less... :-)

This year, the mountains have been full of lemmings, these little, angry animals related to hamsters. The Beard loves them, both to hunt for them, play around with them and sometimes eat them. It has been reported that some of them have pest, so I hate it when she chews on them. But so far, she´s not been sick...

"What?! Why no more hunting!?!"

First snow of the season

I woke up to this view the other day:

Just a little frosting on the top, but still... A new ski season is coming closer!!! :-)

PS, can you believe this is the view from my bedroom window!? How lucky am I!??!?!

Summer 2014

This has been the laziest summer I´ve ever had! I´ve spent it lounging on a sunbed with a book at our summerhouse and lounging on a sunbed at a small island in Greece. No sailing (so far) and hardly any hiking. What is going on?!?!?!?

The summer has been extremely warm - which I think is great! But the Beard has been a bit over heated at times. Good thing she can cool down in small lakes when we go hiking - here from a trip towards Vesle Nup. She looooves to mud bath, which I´m not too fond of, as she often has to shower when we get back home...

I´ve had one short trip to my cabin, which of course was great! 

And I carried up new shutters for my windows, so these are ready to be put in place (not by me obviously!!). They are made by the same model as the old ones made by my great grandfather, with the small hearts on them. And only recycled wood is used. I love them!! Can´t wait to see how it will look when they are put on.

The old shutters still in place, the new ones on my back!

I hope the autumn will bring some more activities than the last few months - stay tuned... :-)

Outdoor office in the sun

I cannot sit inside all day when the sun in shining from a clear blue sky. So the other day, I took my stuff outside in the sun and spent some good hours of work. Even if the sun is warming, it is still a bit cold when you are sitting still, so I had my sleepingbag as well. Warm and cozy!!

Bigfoot in the snow

We have quite a bit of snow here these days, so the only possibility to get some exercise for the Beard is to go skiing with her. The other day, the weather was annoying, with winds, rain, snow and ice. So instead of skis I went for snowshoes. I've hardly used this before, but it was quite fun. And really nice not to sink down to the knees in the snow every other step...

I bet this is quite good exercise as well, especially if you walk at some speed. I did however stroll along and let the Beard run around in the snow hoping to wear her out. Didn't work! That dog has too much energy!!

The visibility was poor at times with all the rain/snow/ice blowing horizontally, so good thing I had goggels on...

Tracks like Bigfoot!

This is what it looked like later in the evening outside my house. I don't know how many times I have digged out my door already, but I guess I just have to get used to that from now on... Winter is here!

Under the ice in Kyrkjesteinsskaret

I was back at the cabin this weekend on a long-planned trip. Luckily, the weather was ok, but winter is definetaly coming. That means skiseason soon, so I simply say WELCOME! :-)

I hiked up by myself after work on Friday with the Beard and her new backpack. Hers was empty, mine was heavy, including rum, coke and a newly purchased airgun. Later in the evening some friends arrived and scared me half to death, and thensome more arrived Saturday morning. Full cabin, great!!! :-)

We went for a hike up Kyrkjesteinsskaret on Saturday. First someone found some bouldering.

Then we ended up going UNDER the ice. Quite cool, got the feeling from the caves at Tellbreen at Svalbard.

Once back at the cabin, we had a shooting competition with the new airgun. I am not going to mention who won, but I definately need some practice... :-)

It was extremely windy Saturday night, and Sunday we woke up to a little white on the ground. Nice! After a late breakfast, some relaxing and one of the guests getting the radio in her head and then the need for some first aid to stop the bleeding, we headed home.