On Sunday, after breakfast and cleaning up the cabin, we drove north along one of the longest valleys in Norway with more stunning scenery. We stopped at the first of two large waterfalls cascading down to the road before lunch.
We continued through the mountains where we stopped for lunch at Haukeliseter Fjellstue (1000 meters high).
I had a reindeer burger which was better than expected!
Then we were able to visit the Røldal Stavkyrkje, which is generally dated to between 1200-1250.
We got a peek inside, which Knut had not seen before, as a tourist bus had just arrived.
We didn’t blend-in very well with the bus load of grey-haired women with our group’s males, Africans, a youth, and me. I was the closest in appearance, but not quite.
We stopped at Knut’s daughter’s and son-in-law’s sheep farm in Etne, where his 6-year-old grandson, Knut, and triplet granddaughters, who turn 3 this Friday, live.
Anya got an invitation to come and visit again to be with their sheep, dogs, and horses, as well as just live for a bit on a farm.
I don’t know if we’ll have time with some other short visits planned, but what a special invitation.
We also visited prehistoric stone carvings, Stødleterrassen in someone’s garden in Etne.
Speculation is that it was used for animal sacrifice in the pre-Christian era. It had a great view of the fjord. No wonder this was a selected sight.
We caught a ferry on the way home, and was so grateful for Knut’s time and shepherding us around some gorgeous and interesting sites.
Today, I met with Knut. This is probably the last significant discussion on my dissertation. After a little more reflection on my midway evaluation (a little farther along than midway, but this is new to PhD project requirements for Norway), there were things to discuss and filter through what is important for my project and make a plan for the rest of the year. Knut had an appropriate amount of encouragement and an appropriate amount of challenge, but fortunately said constructively, so it isn’t crushing. I really am blessed.
While waiting for the bus to head home, I watched a 6 or 7-year-old girl pick a long yellow dandelion to add to her bouquet. I caught her eye and smiled. She smiled back, revealing that her two front teeth were missing (thus, my estimate of her age). It is rare to get a smile, but not only did she smile. She started skipping down the side walk in her pink jacket and pink backpack.
May you have a dandelion bouquet and skippingly good day!
With blessings,
Beth