Trip Day 6

Sunday August 13

Well, every time you are in a new room and new bed you have to get used to it. I must admit I didn't sleep that well. Too much food. I know its my fault but buffets are my enemy. I tried though but when I was in bed I had terrible heartburn. Getting up again and again for some cold water was the only thing I had. 

When I finally had fallen asleep it was getting too hot in the room with those lovely duvets. After we opened the window that got better too and we slept a bit in. After all, we were not leaving until 9:45am. 

View out of the window. Weather doesn't look too bad.

Today is OAT's program "A Day in the Life...". We are in a very remote area and visiting Bente and Jens on their farm. This area is at the bottom of a fjord dating back to 1340. The oldest child (used to be oldest son) on a farm always has the first right to "purchase" the farm. When the time comes a contract is made that the elders move into the little house and have life-long rights to live there. They are also provided for and find things like potatoes, eggs, probably milk and meat from the sheep etc on their doorsteps. These things might be depending on the farm and the contract. Jens told us the how-many generations of oldest son came before him but I forgot. Going back a long time.

I could not possibly report all the things we learned but I can say truly what remarkeble people these two are. James and I thoroughly enjoyed this time.

Even though it was still quite wet we were very lucky with the weather. So first thing we all took a little walk up the street. Bente pointed out things like where the sheep are being herded up the mountain where there is a very large plateau where the sheep are supposed to stay. They all have transmitters on their ears and are being monitored. In fall they are supposed to come down by themselves but Bente told us that they don't know what is going on because several sheep have already come down way too early. 

We were also shown the place right next door where a church used to be. But when a law was made that every church had to have space for at least 1/3 of its people in the area many churches were torn down and others built. Most of the time the old material was not being used to build the new one. We were told the same when we visited the historic Stav Churches.

Sheep in this field were those which had to be hand-raised for whatever reasons. I was surprised how they immediately came to her affectionately when she entered the enclosure.

Then we went back to the house to all have cider. She had asked outside who would help her in the kitchen and I did raise my hand. Otherwise we were to gather either in the living room or the dining room. But I could not have taken photos anyway. I have a problem this time I have never had before. Some fellow travelers don't want to be photographed or in a blog. Now I have to think carefully who that might be and who doesn't care. 

And some are happy to share the blog with their people at home. Trish and Betty are making the salad. I know they don't mind.

I am peeling boiled eggs and arranging them on a platter and cheeses and crackers too.

Betty also decorated the cake for dessert.

As expected, it is a bit chilly in Norway but this heater makes the living room nice and cosy.

The entry into the house between living room on the left and dining room on the right is where we arrange the food.

Bente and Jens' oldest son has already plans about the farm. He is developing a chilly sauce (actually at least 2 kinds) and has already plans to grow the chillies for that at the farm. At the moment he grows them in Bergen and they are already on the market.

James and I have found space on the front porch. 

Before we start eating Bente explains the food on the buffet. There are 4 different kinds of meat which are traditional Norway food. She tolds us that if we went to the Folksmuseum and saw the storage barns then we knew that in those, these kinds of meats would have been hung to last through the winters etc.

And these flatbreads are similar to the "lefse" which we saw being made in that (open air) museum too.

3 letters in this decoration: O A T, that is our travel group. Clever decoration.

Betty did the decorating and the serving.

Before we all had to say "good bye" Bente shared one more thing with us: the traditional dresses women are now wearing again on special festive days. She even had some old ones in a wooden chest.

She was so knowlegable, but also sweet and funny how she presented to us her stories. 

Visiting this couple, hearing their stories and about their lives was truly special. 

We said good-bye and were on our way to the next adventure. Visiting another historic Stav Church was on the plan. There used to be probably 1000 of these churches in all of Norway but only 28 are left. They are made totally out of wood and are now being well preserved. Some have been moved carefully but this one is still on its original place. 

The red building on the left is the new church which was consecrated in 1868. A law had been made that all churches had to big enough to serve at least 1/3 of the people in its area. A certain historical society is now making sure that the old churches are cared for and preserved. Every so often the wood needs to be treated etc.

We had a guide who was waiting for us and took us from the visitor center to the churches. 

Werner was a young man, was originally from Germany and spoke perfect English. His information was  very interesting and he answered lots of our questions.

On the left side in the altar area was a hole in the side wall which they think was were the confessional used to be before the reformation and everything became lutheran.

"Grafiti" on the outside door? But from a very long, long time ago.

When we walked on the roofed walkway around the church we could find the hole into the altar area.

I remember noticing the door on the opposite site. Oh, if walls could talk.

Werner told us that today there had been a baptism in the old church. Just half an hour before we arrived. But the new church has a regular service and we went to have a look too.

It was Sunday and we felt like sitting there for just a little while and contemplating our prayers. It felt right.

The camera distorted the looks but it was the only way I could take a photo of the whole building from the front.

The visitor center had not only toilettes and a gift shop but also a little museum which was quite interesting. I liked this model of the old building's structure.

On the way back to the hotel. The river is running very lively. Here Stephen points out one of the salmon ladders which have been made or the salmons could not get over the waterfalls.

Back at the hotel we have a little time to relax and refresh ourselves. At 7 pm is dinner. It is exactly the same as the night before but I am a bit more selective today. Yes, yes, still quite a portion. At least there are nice veggies underneath.

We have a night cap again with Betty, Marc and Stig, our driver. We laugh a lot and probably too loud. But who doesn't like that?