WINTER HIKES

Hiker girls strikes again!
After opening year 2009 with three weeks in bed, I was finally able to join the group last week Tuesday of January. This is how our scenery is nowadays. Frozen, but no snow. The Rhododendron, queen of the coast, is already out of the start pit. Buds ready for blooming..in May.
Three days ago we were walking round the Stakkestad water. Drinking water reservoir of Haugesund.
The brooks were not entirely frozen.
Tilly is explaining how her mother used to wash clothes in this brook, summer and winter as well.
I should like to know - For Ruby Tuesday- which tree has red branches.
This red boat belongs to the hut Happy-side.
In the back-garden I found this old gate.
Snowdrops in the sun close to the hut.
Liv and Tilly playing Jesus & Peter. Walking on water.
Underneath what we call steel ice. Thick, but transparent. The bass singing of the ice was actually quite frightening.
Tilly's grandchild has made the wooden heart dangling on her rucksack.
Nobody makes modern art like our God.
From the January hike. We started out from a group of Menhirs. They are so fascinating, mighty, yet we know but little about this pre historic stone monuments.
Menhirs in a half circle. Me dressed in four layers of wool and windproof material. Wind and ice craves polar equipment.
We were outdoors for four hours. Walking where no path was visible. The red dots painted on stones were the only signals that we were on that right direction.
I do admire the Free air councils. They are public and provide marking of paths all over the county. We did not meet a single soul that day. If not for the red markings, we would easily have been lost.
No hike without a tea/coffee break.
Stones piled in a varde/ cairn mark the end point of our walk a cod in a fjord. Cairns are used as marks on hilltops and viewpoints from the early viking ages. In times of war bonfires were lit on the cairns. This way the signals went rapidly miles and miles from coast inwards the long fjords.
The men were organized in ship groups, each responsible for arms and equipment, assembling places and also passing the message on.
This is a wooden lavvo, also for free common use.

Inside there's a fireplace, wood and benches. the smoke goes out in an opening in the roof.
kindergartens, scouts and hikers are free to use the lavvos. It's evident that everybody takes care of the hut, put out the fire and close the door before leaving. So far I have not heard of any ravage.
People walking this far have a natural respect for common property. It might, in need, save life.