Palm trees on a tropical isle...

No, I haven't been at the Aquavit, honest! This week has seen the discovery of the most amazing tropical island which seems to benefit from its own micro-climate. Located on the island of Sør-Hidle in the Ryfylke Region north of Stavanger, a visit to "Flor & Fjaere" starts with a short trip on the ferry, followed by a guided tour around the lush gardens.

Some of the plants (like the cacti collection) are taken in to Stavanger over the winter but the vast majority remain on the island. Every year, around April/May, thousands of new summer flowers are planted in time for the tourist season. It all started in 1965 when a local Stavanger couple moved to the island to live, ostensibly for health reasons. It so happened that Åsmund and Else Marie Bryn were gardeners to trade and so it wasn't long before some pine trees were planted as a wind-breaker for a small garden. Fast forward a few decades and, still a family business, "Flor & Fjaere" now attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year.

The whole trip lasts about 5 hours and includes a buffet lunch of local delicacies, all prepared by a Dutch chef who's worked there for 17 years. He comes out to introduce all the dishes and has a great sense of humour...the only Dutchman I've ever met who has! The signature dish was (unsurprisingly) a delicious fish soup although we were assured that it didn't contain any of the pond's residents....they too have to be moved to Stavanger over the winter, not because they can't survive the cold but because they fall prey to mink from a neighbouring island.

So all in all a great day out, one to be recommended.

Aside from that, we're on the countdown to the Orkney wedding and really looking forward to the trip "home" to see everyone again. The Mulder cat is blissfully unaware that he's off to Windiness Cattery next week...sadly we haven't got an Auntie Janette living next door to attend to his every whim! :-(

Before that though, stand by for the Battle of Hafrsfjord. No, not the one with the moggies, the real one...

Hade!

p.s. The Sorensens one...a possible contender.