Friday, February 06, 2009

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.

9 comments:

Amrita said...

Good morning Felisol.

It is like going out on a morning walk with you and your friends.

Your steel lake is so fascinating for me as Ihave never walked on a frozen lake.

Your countrymen really have respect for public property. Like the wooden lav structure and the way you all look after it.

You girls make a jolly group.

Now I have to start my daily work and go to the bank to pay our church electricity bill.

Have a good day.

Annie Jeffries said...

Good morning/Good evening, Felisol. I'm so glad you enjoyed your visit and stayed for a while to enjoy the music and photos.

I have been spending a lot of time at this current post. Was most interested in the steel ice. I've never heard of such a thing. I think it would be very daunting for me to walk on frozen water and see what is beneath. I've been in museums and aquariums with glass floors and I find it impossible to walk over them. Unnerves me. Nevertheless, I would LOVE to see a clear frozen lake.

The menhirs remind me of Stonehedge but seem to be very different in purpose. I can't think of one thing on our continent that would be so ancient and grand.

The wooden lavvo is just like an American Indian tepee but made from different materials. The purpose is the same - lodging, warmth, smoke escaping at the top. Truly a universal design.

I can't imagine hiking for several hours and not seeing anyone else. Because of the cold, perhaps? Seems like Yosemite (just a couple of hours from us) is alive with people year round.

The photo is indeed hand tinted. I use ZIG Photo Twin Pens. The effect is so vintage and soft; very different from using software. I love handcoloring and each image, even if I repeat them are unique and different from each other.

Have a lovely day as I go into my night.

Annie

John Cowart said...

I'm always glad when you post photos of you hiking girls. Beautiful landscapes and ladies.

The lav resembles the tepees of American Indians; and they serve like the huts along our Appalachian Trail --but you folks take better care of yours.

Those menhirs and cairns are fascinating structures too.

Thanks for the tour.

Debbie Petras said...

I'm so glad that you are feeling well and able to even take hikes. Oh, how I wish I could join you girls; what fun that would be! Thank you for sharing the information about this area. I find it so interesting to learn things about Norway. I couldn't believe the photo of your friends walking on water. It did look like the image I have of Peter walking towards Jesus.

Thank you for your kind words on Heart Choices. I always am honored when people take the time to read what I've written. And I'm glad you participated in Wear Red for Women. The American Heart Association is one organization that tugs at my heart. They helped my mom in many ways when I was sick because of a congenital heart defect. I had open heart surgery when I was seven years old and that was in 1960. When I was well, my mom would take me door to door collecting dollars for the Heart Association.

Felisol, the only way I can do anything is through Christ. If you only knew all that is going on in my life, you might be surprised. But God is good. He gives me His joy, no matter what. I choose to believe His Word and cast all my cares on Him. Bless you my friend. And keep up the hiking. It looks like fun!

Eaton Bennett aka Berenice Albrecht said...

Felisol, Thank you, I feel like I have just been to visit you. Those photos are amazing. I could almost step through them into your world.
Lovely.
I cannot imagine washing clothes in the river in the middle of one of your winters. What a hard life people had then.

Walking on frozen water like that, I have never seen before. But I think I have heard that the ice makes a strange noise.

Eaton. :)

Raven said...

Wow! What brave and determined hikers you are. I think it's wonderful to have a group of friends like that who shame companionship and encourage each other to do as a group what you might not do alone. Wonderful photos too. I especially like the second one and the lavvo looks snug and cozy and like a lovely idea for hikers on a cold day.

Glad you are feeling better.

Deb said...

I have so enjoyed going on this hike with you!....wish I could actually join you in person. I love the frozen lake too.

jel said...

that looks like fun!


take care!

Mrs. Mac said...

I bet you have missed your friendly walks while you were recovering from your illness. Your countryside is well maintained and seems to be appreciated by those who travel the hiking trails. The ancient stones are sure a mystery ...