30 Jul 2011 – Venabygdsfjellet

Tue: bus from OSL on E6 North (with a few stops including the airport) to Hamar 150NOK/S$34 app 2hrs and was met by Anne. Drove to Ringebu and headed up the mts/app 900m, another app 2hrs drive from Hamar. The first and last time there was Feb 1982 in freezing temps of -20C and the hytta was just completed but the kitchen was then set up during that visit. This was a spontaneous visit and the battery in the camera was nearly flat, thus only few pix.

Wed: a nice morning walk to the river and waterfall Svartåa with the suspension bridge. We had the woods, river and waterfall to ourselves, a luxury feeling of space with clean fresh air! An afternoon drive app 1.30hrs  to Raphamn (not far from Otta) to visit god-daughter Guri, who was at her in-law’s hytta. Congratulations to Hans Olav and  Guri who gave birth to her 2nd child Eline in Mar. Uploaded some of the pix from Anne&Roar’s camera  but seeming unable to locate them, not the first nor last time this happens! Will post them when and if  they appear!!

Here in the county of Oppland where Gudbrandsdale is located, a beautiful area surrounded by the national parks of Jotunheimen, Rondane and Dovrefjell and is known for medieval farms, good skiing and hiking. Lake Gålå/Vinstra stages Ibsen’s Peer Gynt set to Grieg’s music in the open air. It is an annual event since 1990. Must try to make it someday!

Thu: Ringebu Stavkyrkje/Stave Church, a medieval wooden church from 1220, is one of the 28 historic stave churches still standing in Norway. Took the 18.15hrs train from Ringebu to OSL 454NOK/S$102. Had to change connecting to a bus at Lillestrøm due to works on railway line on that stretch. The train & bus took app 3hrs and another 40mins on bus 151 from OSL to Kolsås. Reached the house app 22.30hrs. Tusen takk/thousand thanks to A&R for their most gracious hospitality.