Week 3 of 'snakker norsk' and my powers of memory and concentration have never been more tested. This probably has more to do with my age than anything else but nevertheless. It feels like I'm taking one step forward and two back. This also explains the lack of blogging...too busy doing homework...at 50??!! But...I can now go in a shop/cafe/drycleaners and come out with what I went in for...and all exchanges done in norsk. OK so it's not exactly high brow conversation but it's progress in my world!!
Autumn has arrived and the weather continues to be favourable for us tourists. Last weekend saw a visit to Birkjedalstunet, which is south of Stavanger (towards Sirdal), and a reunion with a Fergie! Birkjedal boasts an impressive candle factory and, in the adjoining restaurant, some rather fine home-made meatballs. It's worth the trip if only for the drive. On the way there, you pass over Gloppedalsura - scene of a spectacular rockfall circa 10,000 years ago when the mountains essentially collapsed and divided the fjord in two. Rocks the size of a house lie there as if carefully placed by a giant troll. Gloppedalsura was also the site of a famous WWII battle that saw 250 Norwegian soldiers prevent two German battalions (800 troops) from advancing on Sirdal. Proof if it were needed that Vikings are not to be messed with!!
Another day, another ferry trip, this time to Tau. And a much more familiar pose...akin to Orkney i.e. a warm coat and and a funky hairstyle! Tau is north of Stavanger but the scenery is no less impressive. Green valleys nestle between the vast mountains and the farmers go about their business even though it's Sunday. Around where we live, they're busy cutting and baling what looks like silage or at least a grass crop of some kind.
On the home front, we've had our first lot of visitors...well two lots really. Kay paid a flying visit, long enough to testify to the fact that the cinnamon buns are indeed the stuff of legend. And we had a super weekend with Mike and Fran...balmy sunshine and lunch outside one day, rain and restricted views (but not restricted fun) the next. And the Mulder cat behaved impeccably throughout although he did manage to deliver the odd "are you still here?" look!! That said, katten is coping well with his new self-imposed imprisonment with only the odd bout of cabin fever. His nemesis has upped his game and is now spraying on our front door...reiterating the point that you don't mess with Vikings...katten or otherwise!!
Og på den bombshell...
Snakke snart!
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