Neighbourhood of the gods

Hallgrimskirkja.

Neighbourhood of the gods.

This is where we live.

Closest grocery store.

My luggage didn't arrive but I'll get it delivered tomorrow. I met Rebecca at Reykjavik airport and we took a bus to the city centre. Here's the same weather as in Lofoten, which means pretty cold. We're just in the neighbourhood of the gods, where 15 streets carry names from norse mythology. The one eyed and wisdomseeking Odin was the first god to have his namesake here in 1906, not surprisingly as he is traditionally considered to be the highest of the gods residing in Asgard.

Happy shining tuesday

Me and Eirik was to be on duty in the climbing wall this thursday but he'll be working and I'll be home packing so we turned it into fantastic-tuesday-outdoor-climbing-at-Storsandnes instead! Then as we were about to leave around 8 pm Maja came to show the new boulder book and invited me for tea at Offersøy. She lives in an old cozy house there. So we talked about life and then I cycled home and it got pretty late...

Eirik.

Small people down there...

Eirik ready to climb.

Lovely place for an afternoon out.

Tommy and Runa.

Eirik and Trond.

Eirik.

Runa and Roy Arne.

Sunday

Among the fish heads in Hattvika.

Photo: Terje 

Our actual plan was to go climbing at Pianokrakken but weather changed again to rain so we just went for a hike at Offersøy. Then we said goodbye to Terje and Anne Marit who were heading for Narvik and then further north. Later Ulf also went back to Lyngen and I was on my own again. But that's ok, I've had some marvellous days.

Blekktind

On our way up.

On our way up.

Tommy.

The ridge.

Some snow at the last part.

Terje and Anne Marit.

Summit Blekktind.

After-hike-yoga.

Yesterday we took the afternoon boat back to Reine since weather forecast said more rain. Saturday we went to Blekktind and then to Glasshytta in Vikten to see if the café was open but it was too early in the season. So instead we went back to Hattvika and made dinner with Terje and Anne Marit.

The Story of Glasshytta; At the end of the 60's, the fisherman Åsvar Tangrand brought some glass "kavler" home to use in a new and artistic way. He created colorful doors and windows. Fascination of glass and artistic operations lead him on a journey to Finland where he was introduced to Finnish glass art in 1974. Coming back from Finland he started with glassblowing in Lofoten. While this was happening, the first tourists found their way to the Lofoten Islands. Throughout the 80's there were large glass production in Glasshytta and a growing tourist flow to Vikten. In 1992 he built a new glass cottage in a fantastic building in the rocky seaside in Vikten.

Helvetestind

Basecamp at Bunes beach.

Up at the ridge.

Summit 602 m.

View over to Stamprevtind.

Time to turn.

Parts of whale...

Can you see the cottage over there?

One big crack.

Different view over the beach,

Relaxing with rum and pistachios.

Today we decided for Helvetestind and if possible go down on the other side and continue to Stamprevtind. But since it started to rain a little and halfway down were sketchy snowfields we felt it was not secure a day like this. And it was a good choice because it started to rain some more. So we went back down to our cozy tent for a rest. And later sky cleared and it was a beautiful evening so we went to explore the right side of the beach and to see how far we could go. We found some interesting rock formations and it was nice to see the beach from another angle. Then we headed back to our camp for dinner.  

Back to Bunesfjord

 

 

 

I left 2 hours earlier from work to catch the 3 o'clock boat. It's been a long time since last I was here so it's good to be back.

When life throws you a curveball...

It's an expression which means that when you think that things are good, when things are working out then suddenly something happens, a challenge or disruption. At first I was just in a state of shock and couldn't handle it. Just kept crying and couldn't go on with my life like normal, paralyzed and lost the desire to climb or hike or do anything at all. But I realized I have friends who care about me and that's important, it's what saves me when going trough rough times. I'm so grateful for this.

Now I'll try and vibrate with cosmos and accept the new change in my life. When a change is looked at as a fresh opportunity and a chance to learn something new it's no longer quite as scary. Even if you had no intention of ever pursuing this new direction, embracing rather than resisting is always the method of least resistance.

Visit from further north and first day of outdoor climbing.