I am back home and just wanted to give you a small taste of winter-Norway.
We left WEdnesday, although the weatherforecast was not very good. The main valley we had to drive through on our way was open, but very windy, and a couple of places I didn't even see 10 meters because of the drifting snow. AS we arrived at the cottage, the wind was around 20 meters per second, which is at the limit of storm, and I carried all the things against the wind 100 meters up to the cottage in 50 centimeters of snow. Fair to say I was rather tired when we had everything inside. Mari and her sister ar enot very big (5 feet) and had enough carrying themselves up against the wind! Arriving inside we found out that the water had frozen. Luckily there are about 15 cottages connected to the same well, and one of the owners of one of the other cottages were there and located the spot where the pipes had frozen, and by midnight we had running water again. Yesterday the weather was about the same; on the limit of storm, and very dense drifting snow; hence impossible to do much outside. WE just went outside about one hour to have some fun in the snow; then the kids were cold and had to go inside. Then at lunch time the electiricity disappeared. Maybe we are quite spoiled, but I do like to have electricity when in the mountains with a 15 months old girl. I drove to a nearby small shop and found out that the main power line had fallen down due to the wind and the upper valley was completely without electricity. So at least we had a very cosy evening with candle lights and steaks made on the stove. Of course we had rice with the steaks..... the compromise one has to do when together with an asian.... haha...
The electricity was back during the night, but this morning the weather was even worse, and the forecast said that some heavy snow was on the way. the kids were tired of being inside, so we took a quick decision and drove back home today. The first 10 miles were horrible, with really heavy drifting snow. Several places I had to stop the car and wait for the wind to calm, before I had enough vision to continue, just praying that the cars coming in the opposite direction would have the wisdom to also stop the car and not drive the road on memory. After the first ten miles, however, the conditions got a bit better, and we arrived home safely.
"This was the worst winter vacation ever!", said Timmy, and I guess it pretty much sums it up, at least from the kids' perspective. Myself I can enjoy being inside a cosy cottage during a storm, but now, after the drive home, I think what is in order is a solid thank you-prayer, that both cars got down safely today.
Now I have to go to eat dinner; lasagna; seems we are going for Italian tonight.
Have a nice weekend all!