Visiting Cork, a lovely escape from a November-grey Norway

You will never hear that you should visit Norway in November. Norway is lovely when it's covered in snow during winter, when the green spring comes or during the colourful time of early autumn, but this late autumn month has nothing to offer. So it is the perfect time for me to go abroad. A friend of mine is studying in Cork, Ireland and it was a good excuse to make my way to Ireland for the first time. 

Ireland is a small country. This I realized before I got there since the easiest way to get to Cork was to take a flight to Dublin and then a bus to Cork, and it seemed this was the way to travel if you wanted to get to any city nearby Dublin. The buses behaved very much like in Norway: always driving at "orange":p

After a good sleep on the bus I finally arrived in Cork, a cosy and nice city that is not too big. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and I liked the city at once. I especially liked that there was almost no shopping malls, but instead small shops and many of them had specialized in an area. There was also plenty of cafés and pubs, many where live bands were playing every night.

At one of the pubs we visited we were lucky to meet a kiwi and my friend got to experience how it is to get a drink treated without feeling you have to give something back. Reminded me of good times in Australia and NZ.

One of the many shops selling only chololate=)

Delicious Irish Coffee=)

Jameson everywhere

One of the many bars with live music:)

A beautiful church with an impressive organ 

Apart from walking around in the city I got to do some sightseeing. In my opinion visiting the pubs(and trying all the different beers and ciders on tap) and just walking around is good enough sightseeing for me=) I find that everywhere I go there is at least on church to visit, and Cork was no exception. I did not catch the name of it, but it was a lovely church indeed. Not too much glittering decorations or the like.
We made it by the university where my friend studies. It was fun to visit an old uni and hear about some of the traditions and the superstitions they had. There were several things that could give you bad luck which could result in either failing an exam, getting expelled or getting pregnant. It is funny how getting pregnant is equal to getting expelled. I hope we have moved forward since this first was thought of=)

The university, some of the buildings in Harry Potter style

Stepping on this circle gives bad luck: either failing an exam or getting pregnant

Stepping on this lawn is also associated with bad luck

A beautiful river runs through the city  

I also made it to the Jameson distillery just outside Cork. It was both fun and educating to see how they made whiskey till rather recently. We also learned the difference between the Scottish, Irish and American whiskey both in taste and how they are made and how ageing effects the whiskey. I was one of the lucky ones who got picked out to do a test. We got to taste a Scottish, Irish and American whiskey. The difference was bigger than I expected. When I got to the American whiskey, the smell was enough to make me nauseous and I could barely take a sip.

Finally time for whiskey!

Pick and choose:)

The origin of platform shoes?

Which whiskey do you prefer?

I would really recommend a visit to Cork, even though their accent can be pretty strong and make conversations in noisy bars difficult :p I don't know if I'm going back to Cork, but I do hope I get a chance to explore more of Ireland=)

And all of a sudden it's winter=)

Normally November is a dark and grey month filled with rain and bad weather. It is too early to be looking forward to Christmas and the days are still getting shorter. So when the snow came as early as in October, it looks like it will not be that bad this year. Once it is snow on the ground the days seem brighter and that is something to appreciate up here! It also means that it is possible to start skiing instead of having to indoor activities=)

In the last weekend in October I had this seasons first skiing trip. It went to Trolltind, a nice and not too steep trip that starts in Jordalsgrenda, a short drive from home. The summit is at 1347 meters. The day before it had come plenty of snow, but luckily someone had started before us and so we did not have to make our own tracks.
The trip to the summit was amazing and did not feel like October at all. The coldness and the glittering in the snow made it seem more like January than October, and with the sun shining it also felt like Easter=) The trip took approximately 3 hours to the top. I had hoped to take some pictures at the summit, but it was too cold for me to hold the camera..:/
The trip down the mountain was of course fun, and without being very demanding. This was my first trip using randonee skies and I had no problems on the way up nor down. So I think anyone can manage this trip -a great place for beginners.

It seems it's going to be a great winter!=)

At the summit

A weekend with Utlevelser = thrilling activities

Just outside Oslo, in Østmarka, I went to a trip arranged by a company called Utlevelser. I was positively surprised that there was such a place close to Oslo: Small paths and not overcrowded with people. We started the tour by paddling canoes to the camp that had been put up for us beforehand. Luxury! We then continued a bit further to the first challenge: abseiling. I'm scared of heights and was not sure I would dare to do it, but after everyone else had done it I had gathered enough courage to try. It went okay in the beginning, but after a while I went outside a cliff and I had nothing to put my legs against. I was just hanging there! As if that was not bad enough, the rope turned and instead of facing the mountain there was nothing right in front of me. I got a real kick that is for sure=) And I was pretty proud I dared to try it since I did not dare it the last time I had the chance.
The evening was very cosy, after we had been served a proper meal everyone gathered around the bonfire. What made the evening even more awesome was that one of the guys had actually brought his guitar and songs had been printed for the occasion: singalong=)
The following day the challenge was a zip line. I was terrified. But since I want to challenge my fear all I could do was to get into harness and run for it. I thought I was careful when I ran for the cliff, but the instructor told me I was not, so I had obviously decided to do it properly the first time around. A crazy fun activity that everyone found thrilling=)

A great weekend! The instructors and organizers did a very good job. A trip with Utlevelser is absolutely recommendable=)

Ready for a weekend in the woods

My paddling mate

Ready for the challenge?

No turning back!

Safety first=)

A man's world:p

It was experimented with several ways to jump of the cliff

The beauty of living between mountains

Many thought I was crazy moving to a small place like Sunndalsøra: What was I going to do there and why would I want to live so far away from everything?

One of the privileges of living in a rural area is the short amount of time spent between work and home and the short amount of time needed to get to any outdoors activity. For me it takes more or less 10 minutes of cycling to get to work, depending on the direction and strength of the wind. Some hikes starts within walking distance from home, and within a 20 minutes drive I can just pick and choose hiking options. This makes it possible and easy to go hiking after work, even when the days get shorter. An other great thing about this place is that many other people like to do outdoors activities. So of course we have a facebook group for those of us who like getting on top of summits both winter and summer=) It is very easy to find someone who wants to join a trip! And hiking with others is the best way to learn shortcuts and to learn more about the mountains:)

One of the hikes I've done after work was to Salsnebba. This was a nice hike that started in a neighbouring valley, Øksendalen. On the way to the top you pass a mailbox at Prestgaardssætra, where many people choose to turn and head back down. The rest of the hike is without any path, but is in a lovely terrain and without difficulties. From the summit at 1020 masl there is a nice view in all directions. Unfortunately there was a change in weather while we did the hike, from sun to rain and then all of a sudden snow at the top. So we did not get to see much:(  The hike took approximately 2 hours to the top and is definitely manageable for more people than the once who had been there so far this year. It's sad that people that have this opportunity at their front door does not take advantage of it. I'm glad I did because it was a lovely afternoon and the evening had just begun by the time I was home=) love it!

At the summit, a bit chilly...

Lovely on the way up, plenty of places to refill the water bottle

Salsnebba to the left

A taste of the view we did not get at the summit

Børsetkjerringa, just above 1000masl

From Ålvundeie, a small place 15 minutes away by car, there are plenty of hiking opportunities that are not too steep. One of them is Børsetkjerringa with several paths leading to the top. When I did the hike this September I took the steep option on the way up. It starts at Børsetlauvet where it is easy to follow the much used path to the two mailboxes you pass on the way up. So, if you like to get your name in as many books as possible, this is a hike for you=) It's not a very long hike, but as usual you get a nice view in all directions at the top. The view was amazing this time, as the summits had snow on them and the colours of autumn had started to come. To make the hike a bit longer it is possible to make a lap out of it by taking a different way down. This path leads you past two lakes where I have heard that at least one of them is good for fishing. Taking this path you end up in the alpine skiing area, but before you get there you have to cross some mires so wear good hiking boots if you don't want to get wet.

The view towards Oppdøl and Sunndalsfjorden

The most important book is the one at the top:)

A bit slippery on the way down

What a nice place to have a cabin!

Fjellenern, the last of a three-parted competition

Fjellenern is the last of a three-(or four) parted competition. Before the run, there had been three other competitions: cross country, randonee and cycling. So the competition is very similar to the triple in Birkebeineren. This last competition was an 8 km long run that started in the centre of Oppdal with the finish line at the top of one of Norway's largest alpine ski area. A lovely run, if it hadn't been for the extra challenges that day. Before we arrived at Oppdal, it started snowing, but being optimistic we did not think it was cold enough for it to stay on the ground. We were wrong! The snow made the path very slippery and made it was difficult to run at times and many chose to walk instead of running. As if the snow in itself did not make it difficult enough, it got more and more windy the higher we got. As a result the run had to be shortened down to 7km since it was impossible to see where the path was supposed to be. The organizers handled the challenges very well and all the other competitions have also been well organized. A very good alternative to the Birkebeiner competition with less people and less hassle.
Of course the weather improved after the run. Looking at the skiing area it almost looked like the season could start very early, this was the first weekend in September! Just to make it clear: even in Norway it is not normal to have snow this early...

Almost at the top, those shoes were not made for running in snow...

Turn around and go back home? looks very cold!

My mother, supportive as always:)

The snow disappeared quickly AFTER the run

Snow also in Dovre

Torbudalen, a nice place for recreation=)

One of the valleys leading into the mountains from Sunndalsøra, is Torbudalen. Many have made this calm and relaxing valley in a spectacular scenery their place for recreation. Although there are several areas for cabins, you hardly notice them when you're driving along the road. This is because the size and number of cabins is strictly regulated. I am ashamed to say it, but for the 10 years I have called Sunndalsøra my home, I have never visited this valley so of course I had to say yes when I was invited this autumn. To get to my friend's cabin I cycled so that I would get the time to enjoy the scenery and really see the nature. The road in itself is actually a tourist attraction, Aursjøvegen, that is worth a visit. If you also make it to Stakrafts power plant in Sunndal, you get to see photoes of how challenging it was to get equipment up the valley when the dams where built. There are several dams along the road, the largest one is Aursjødammen where you also find a cabin for tourists. There are several other cabins in the mountains nearby for those who does not mind a short hike. 
The time spent at the cabin was lovely. Not only was the company impeccable, but the activities was just how I like it: We had a hike to Håkådalshøa. A nice hike, but a bit rocky at the top. Of course games were played and lots and lots of food was eaten. A dip in the lake followed by a visit to the outdoor tub removed every last bit of tension=) On our way home we was lucky to have my friends father arrange some shooting exercise for us. There are also other possibilities in Tobudalen, like picking berries, fishing, photography etc, but there are only so much you can do during a weekend while relaxing...=)

The view down towards Sunndal.

The firs dam, I'm excited:p

Signs along the road telling the name of almost every hill. "Beautifullvalley hill"

Torbudalen seen from Håkådalshøa

Relaxing, again, after the hike=) 

cool:)

=)

Jokran: A hike for the (many) days with poor weather

The marked tourist path from Grøa to Vangshaugen is an excellent place for a run. Compared with other paths in the area it's not slippery in wet weather. The hike/run is a bit steep in the beginning but after a while it gets flat and then it's just to follow the path along the valley. Along the path there are several signs telling the name of the places you pass, some of them are really funny! So you're actually entertained=) At Jokran there is of course the obligatory book to sign ones name in. This is where many people stop and head back home, but I would recommend to follow the path a bit further until you get to Dalavatnet. Both the path and the nature is lovely from Jokran to Dalavatnet. The path also passes a dam for those of you who are nerds like me and like to check out how it's built :p

 

Dalavatnet

I think it's been a while since the last bus arrived

The path is marked all the way so it's easy to follow:)

Jokran

A dam=)

The winter is not far away=)

Excellent for running!