The OTHER type of summer in Norway

Today everything changed. The forecast was for partial cloud in the morning, clearing in the afternoon - and that was exactly what we got. Where yesterday was grey and wet, and encouraged only occasional forays outside between (or usually during) showers, this afternoon was stunning blue sky's studded with picturesque fluffy white clouds and huge, treeless landscapes.

We headed north about 9.30, to a town called Beitostølen, where a variety of 'activities' were available, as well as pizza. The activites included a chairlift to the top of a toboggan run of several hundred metres, which the kids did wedged on laps. The run was exhilarating, and the odd driving position was a good workout for both abs and arms. This was followed by pizza for lunch, and then for the kiddos a go on a bungee trampoline, where every bounce was assisted by bungee cords into a 4-5m bounce. The general consensus was that it was the single best experience ever offered anywhere to anyone.


A 30 minute drive then took us to Gjendesheim, from where we took a ferry along Lake Gjende to Memurubu, a memorable name if ever there was one. The lake was filled with an almost luminescent grey-green water, with a pale rocky shore rising in a cascade of verdant ground cover, stark rock faces and fast falling water falls to a dramatic landscape of peaks and ridges. It looked more tropical than sub-artic today, and one of the most wildly beautiful places I've had the good fortune to go. The crisp red, white and blue of the ferry only served to draw attention to the glorious greens and greys of the landscape.








This was as far north as I have ever been, and it may be that I never get further north than this, though in hope I do. On the way back, we stopped at a couple of the more scenic spots from the drive up. The beauty of days where the sun doesn't set until 10.30 at night is that there is always enough light for a photo opp, or a chance to play in an isolated snow patch.






Happy times indeed, and it was great to have a chance to see the other type of Norwegian summer. Yesterday was fine, but a fine day is a fine thing in this part of the world - and all the more so because it cannot be guaranteed.

Tomorrow it is back to Oslo for one last day, before heading to Ireland. The weather is promising good things, and Espen is promising boat rides. Initially, tube rides for the big kids. Later, the plan is for us to prevail on Mum to supervise the kids, and for Espen, Ragnhild, Justine and myself to take the boat to a restaurant on an island only accessible by that mode of transport. That is one plan I hope comes together.

Location:North of Aurdal, Norway