We are now above 68 degrees latitude, and the temp is reflecting the change. Recall our bragging about the pleasant seventies in the large cities. At that time we too laughed at our folly over bringing jackets and sock caps. No more, we are some smart folks to bring them. Its cold and windy here. Temps in mid fifties and sometimes windy. No not like Iceland, but still windy. And this is the middle of summer! What's the temp where you are? These are the islands of craggy sharp mountains. There is some grass farming here, but not like we saw at the lower latitudes where folks bailed their back yards. Growing season is shorter even for grass. Yet, there are sheep and even some cows, but no horses have we seen. We are sure the ... read more

We continue our journey north, arriving at Trondheim after eight hours and three ferries. Cost of these (expletive deleted) ferries is adding up. Insult to injury we waited on one 45 minutes. When combined with road tolls and eight plus dollar gas, moving about the country ain't cheap. Traveled much of the day on an E (European) designated road. In Germany, France, Italy, or most any other country an E designation is equivalent with our Interstate system, and generally better constructed. In Norway, not so much. There are limited access highways near major cities, like Bergan, Oslo or Trondheim, but out in the country, the E designation carries a bit more variability. It seems to mean the road will be wide enough for two cars-most of the time, and generally have a marked center line, although ... read more

We have now landed on the coast after traversing the Troll Road. Before starting up we stopped for one of HP's countless shots where a Swedish couple began babbling to a clueless HP. He requested English, but they insisted there is a Swedish tag on the car. Sorry folks, only rented there. In perfect English they excitedly inquired if we were on our way to Trollstigen. Well yep, we sure are. They gushed about the beauty of the area, but the wife soon expressed horror at the drive finishing with "sure happy I was not driving". HP shared this info with Bird who became a bit irate at the anticipatory dread that was instilled in her. Obviously, we had success in the drive and still comment about the wimpy flatlander Swedes. This is not a frightening ... read more

Spent a few days in Hafslo at an idyllic setting but not much for dramatic photography, just time to relax a bit. Apartment was small, but the use of space exceedingly efficient; we liked it a lot, and the view, sheep chatting with us, what can we say? The female half of the owners has a Norwegian dad, an ex-cruise ship captain who married an American woman from Key West. The entire family visits that area for a month or two in the winter. Although her parents elect to live in Norway (sure don't blame them), the extended family is more American than most. Nice folks. Drive from Hafslo to Grainger took bit over six hours with numerous stops-pleasant. Bought tickets for another fjord cruise tomorrow. Weather continues very warm by local standards, seventies with low ... read more

Here we have our drive from Bergen to Aurland, and a couple of pictures around our guesthouse. The day is simply beautiful, at least after we leave the fully overcast skies of Bergen (remember, they only have one in six sunny days). Our route, of course, follows the fjords with innumerable tunnels-the longest seven miles. Building roads here is not cheap and many incorporate a toll. They are very efficient in collecting tolls; simply register your tag with their toll website and it occurs automatically, even painlessly...until the credit card bill comes due. Our drive passes a number of waterfalls; we are sure we missed many more, but we will send the ones we liked the most. Hope you like them as well. The fjords have waterfalls around most every corner. Finally, we have a very ... read more