Dodging raindrops in southwest Norway
Trip Start
Jun 16, 2006
1
2
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Trip End
Aug 15, 2006
Sandnes, Norway
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
We flew into Kristiansand so we could see Hans' sister's new cabin near Lyngdal, about 1 hour north of the airport and two hours south of Stavanger. We arrived on a beautiful summer night. Their cabin has a gorgeous view of the North Sea and the surrounding area. We weren't too tired, so Ingrid and Asle took us out for a quick boat tour of the coast. We stopped by Asle's sister's family cabin and watched a bit of one of the soccer matches (US vs somebody). Then we buzzed back to the dock and headed back up to the cabin - a very relaxing start to our trip.
The next day, the weather had changed - rain, rain, rain. We were borrowing one of the cars to head up to Sandnes, and it was a wet trip. For some reason, it always rains when I'm in Sandnes/Stavanger, but maybe it just plain always rains.
We had a few days to visit with family before hitting the road again. Hans' dad was kind enough to host us in his apartment. I tried out a little of my Norwegian, and somehow the word spread that they should only speak Norwegian around me. I spent a lot of time getting very confused on what they were saying (the western dialect doesn't help).
I had expressed interest in seeing the old family farm - where the family surname comes from. Hey, it's my surname too now, so I might as well know where it all started. Hans' dad drove us out there, and the weather improved just a bit. The old farm is outside of Tau, up a road called Ravnaasvegen, on a hill with a great view of the fjord. The family left the farm when Hans' grandfather was young. Some of the old buildings are still the same, and it is still a farm (sheep). The new owners weren't home, so we walked around a bit and admired the view.
On Tuesday, Hans older brother Kjell hosted a family barbeque. Kjell was grilling what looked like pork chops and this HUGE piece of meat. I asked what it was, and he said it was "flint steak" - as in the Flintsones, Fred and Wilma. (I thought he was joking with me, but I saw it later in the grocery stores after that - sure enough, "Flint stek"). The barbeque was a lot of fun - nearly all the family in one place. Ah, but the night was done to soon, and I didn't get a chance to talk to everyone. We stayed late for a bit to see one of the world cup games (Sweden vs somebody?), and then it was time to head back to our home base at Hans' dad's place.
We head out on the road tomorrow morning. Hans has picked out a scenic route - some of which he's seen before and some he hasn't. Should be fun, I just hope the weather cooperates!
