Seven Sisters

In the Geirangerfjord we saw the famous "Seven Sisters" waterfall. The tallest one has a free fall that measures 250 meters. Normally in September it would be difficult to make out all seven of the streams that cascade over the cliff into the fjord. Fortunately, for us, western Norway has had such a rainy summer that we were told the rivers and lakes were higher than they are even in a normal spring.



Directly across from the Seven Sisters is a single waterfall. The legend of the seven sisters is that they dance playfully down the mountain, while the couurtier (the single waterfall opposite of the seven sisters) flirts playfully from across the fjord. The legend we heard was that because none of the sisters would accept him he had turned to the bottle in his despair. Note the shape of the bottle in the falls!





Another story that fascinated us was that the farmers who settled on the steep mountain sides of the fjord were known to tie their children to boulders and other firm objects to keep them from falling off the cliffs and in to the fjord.

Goodbye Orsta

After almost a week in Orsta (which should have a diagonal slash through the O - but I don't have a Norwegian keyboard) it was time for us to move on. We had come to feel so much a part of this lovely family in such as short time.... I am sure we will be back one day!


Me with Inge Petter, Ragnhild, and their son Terje.


Tommy and Per took us on a trip to the Geirangerfjord, which is one of Norway's most spectacular fjords - with steep mountain walls and tons of waterfalls.



Tommy and Aaste had a snow ball fight high in the mountain pass. Per and I stayed in the car, where it was warm - the wind was wicked out there!


Aaste, Per and I.


Tommy and I.

Green Roofs

Recently, back in Canada, I have noticed an increased interest in green roofs. Well..... green roofs are old hat in Norway.... even the mailboxes and garbage bins have them!






This is actually a 'room' in a hotel in the town of Saebo. The hotel was the chosen sight of a rather last minute (one week in preparation) 'family gathering' - sort of in our honour. Over 50 relatives came! I was touched - to put it lightly.


These are very old huts that were used by women who came to these high mountain pastures in the summers with their cows. They are designed in such a way as to (hopefully and usually) survive avalanches and landslides.

More intermediate relatives

First - a correction to the last entry. Another cousin, Tommy, pointed out that it is actually Gaute's mom (Kari) who is cousins with my grandfather. However, I do believe I have it right when I say that the relationship between Tommy and I is that our grandfather's are cousins!

Kari, Grim and I in Oslo

Aaste and I took the train on Thursday to Orsta. (I can't write Orsta properly without a Norwegian keyboard, as the O is supposed to have a diagonal slash through it). Actually the train only took us as far as Andalsnes, then we took the bus and were picked up by Tommy's dad, Inge Petter (his father and my grandfather are cousins). We are being very graciously hosted by Inge Petter and his wife, Ragnhild. Orsta is in the beautiful alpine/fiord region of Sunnmorsalpane (http://www.orstainfo.no/engelsk/index.htm)



It rains a lot in western Norway and this year has been worse than ever apparently. In this picture I am standing on the land that my great grandfather left in order to settle in Saskatchewan!



We impressed our Norwegian relatives by actually enjoying Rommegraut (a creamy porridge) and Sost on our lefse. Today we are attending a small family gathering - they are expecting 30-50 people!

Oslo Scrapbook

Gaute and Jill and their boys took us to the Folk Museum. It had a number of exhibitions - both indoors and out. Aaste is standing on the porch of a storage house from the early 1800s (I think.)


We had a lovely sunny day for our main sight-seeing day in Oslo.


Both Aaste and I were pretty impressed by the Vigeland Sculpture Park.


The park features 212 bronze and granite sculptures created by Gustav Vigeland. Vigeland personally sculpted every figure out of clay and individual craftsmen were contracted to fabricate the pieces into what they are today.


I am not usually a great fan of sculpture - but I really liked Vigeland's work - perhaps because of the combination of realism and fantasy or imagination. see http://www.museumsnett.no/vigelandmuseet/eindex.htm


The Viking Ship Museum was also a highlight of the day. Our tour guide made it quite clear to us that there is NO evidence that the Vikings EVER wore helmets with horns and she asked us to spread the word that the Vikings DID NOT where helmets with horns!


Aaste took a ton of pictures of artifacts in the Viking Ship Museum. I guess that means she was somewhat interested. She doesn't mind the museum trips, but absolutely hates just wandering around a city, which of course I love.


The Kon Tiki museum celebrates the adventures and life of Thor Heyerdahl (1914-2002). Heyerdahl sailed this raft from Peru to Polynesia with 5 or 6 other men in 1947. If you want to know the significance of this (and it's kind of interesting actually) see: http://www.kon-tiki.no/Ny/Dok_eng/e_start.html

"Intermediate" Relatives

Here is Aaste with our 'intermediate' relatives. This is how Gaute describes the way in which we are related. Gaute's grandfather and my grandfather were cousins. Obviously we are not 'immediate' family - so Gaute figures we must be inter-mediate family!

We are being unbelievably welcomed by our Norwegian relatives. Oslo is a lovely city and it has been fun so far hanging out with Gaute's family and being pampered by his parents (Kari and Grim); with whom we are staying.

Cork Scenery

Aaste is "Queen of the World" as she looks out from the tip of Sheep's Head.





Our "base of operations" in Cork.

Sherkin Island

Ruth's brother lives on Sherkin Island, so we rented a small cottage and stayed there for a couple of days. Ruth stayed on after we returned to Dublin, and I have to admit to being a tad jealous. It is an unique and peaceful place.

Sherkin lies off the southwest of County Cork in Roaringwater Bay. It has approximately 80 full time inhabitants and 80 houses. Half of the houses are holiday homes and there is a small hotel and a few B&Bs. There are two pubs, and no stores to speak of. The entire island measures 5km by 3 km. The inhabitants drive bashed up old cars, many of which don't have licence plates or side mirrors (those having been knocked off by trying to pass other vehicles on roads only wide enought for one!). On lovely summer days the island attracts day-trippers from the mainland, attracted by its sandy beaches, coastal views, country walks and birdwatching. The ferry trip from Baltimore takes about 15 minutes - most islanders keep a 'real' car parked in Baltimore. There are interesting ruins from a 13th century Franciscan Friary, and many standing stones and other unidentifiable ancient ruins.

Stupidly, I forgot my camera battery charger back in Dublin, so have no photos of Sherkin as my battery had long since died. However, here is one I have 'stolen' from www.lancs.ac.uk/.../ ireland06/image008.htm.



And here is a picture of the Friary, taken off of the Wikipedia entry for Sherkin Island.




For more information on Sherkin, check out: http://www.sherkinmarine.ie/index.htm

Air India Memorial

Aaste and I spent a lovely day touring around the 'Sheeps Head Peninsula", stopping often to take pictures, or explore small villages. (Unfortunately as designated driver I could not sample a pint at the many roadside pubs). We stopped briefly at the site of the Air India Disaster Memorial, which has a lovely seaside garden with gorgeous purply blue hydrangeas.
It was an opportunity to tell Aaste a little sad history that involved her country, Ireland, and India. She was intent upon knowing exactly how many people lost their lives so we spent a few minutes counting the names on the plaque. I can't remember now, but it exceeded 300. She asked what the 'terrorists' were trying to accomplish, and for the life of me I couldn't tell her. It strikes me that 'terrorist' is a term that she has likely known her whole life and I wonder if she is equally aware of the terror of oppression, poverty, and hunger?

Driving on the 'wrong' side

I have to admit to being a tad apprehensive about driving on the left side of the road, but except for a tendency to hug the side of the road in the first couple of days it was pretty easy to master. Of course, it doesn't help at all that the majority of roads in Ireland (at least in Cork) are only wide enough for about one and a half cars. Seriously! When you meet another vehicle both must slow down and often one must stop or pull over, or both. There is an unwritten protocol regarding who should be the one to stop, pull over, or even reverse at times. All of this is not so complicated if it weren't for the fact that the speed limit on even the windiest mountain roads is 100 km and the locals tend to try and even exceed that. I thought I was a fast driver! Sheesh....

Bantry Fair

It takes FOREVER to load photos on to this thing! Here are a few from the Banty Fair - a little country fair not unlike the ones back home - but not totally like them either!



The threshing machine was actually working!





The children's craft exhibits were the best! Categories included "Teddy Bear Dressing" and "Healthy Lunch Boxes". The winner in this category was a sheep made primarily of cauliflower - but that photo didn't turn out as well as this third place monster. Reminds me of the 4H activities I did not engage in as a child.

Peninsula Rings

Western Cork is indeed the stuff of tourist brochures. The other day, Aaste and I borrowed Ruth's car and drove around the Sheep's Head Peninsula just south of Bantry. We took an absolute ton of pictures so when we get back to Dublin and I have the time to get them transferred over to the computer, I'll post some of the better ones. Yesterday, Ruth's brother (who lives in the region) joined us and we all set out to drive the "Ring of Beara" - a coastal road that winds its way around the Beara Peninsula. Although it may not be as well known or well travelled as the "Ring of Kerry" it is known for displaying more varied scenery. It was quite amazing - each twist of the road would reveal another fantastic view and we passed through high mountains, rocky outcroppings; an evergreen forest, and rolling green pastures dotted with sheep. We stopped for a bit of a sun-bathe at a sandy beach, and had a lovely meal at a dining room overlooking a mountain lake. Seriously.... quite the day!