We woke up to drumming rain.
"Who cares?" we laughed.
It was our chance to hike to the high pastures and we weren't going to miss it.
First you suit up, then climb in a rib boat and cruise through the fjords.
The clouds hung low over the water and our tiny boat sped past seals, porpoises, and sea birds.
Near the tiny village of Undredal, we climbed out at Skjerdal's farm dock and hiked through the apple orchard.
We'd left the wet suits behind and rain was already dripping down our necks.
"Who cares?" was the refrain of the day.
With so much to look at, it really didn't matter.
Up through the forested hillside...
Along goat paths where the rivulets ran over our hiking boots.
Thank goodness for sturdy boots!
I looked over the shoulder of a damp goat and there, far below was one of the farms we had passed.
There is a little guest house on this farm where one can rent a dreamy hideaway in summer.
Oh, to visit here for longer!
These are the goats whose milk has made the cheese that brings home the gold and silver medals.
And if you had been sitting in the goat shed with us, munching cheese and sandwiches and even goat sausage (poor billy goats... they don't give milk so instead they turn into delicious sausage!)
Soaked to the skin but what sights!
Even the humblest of sheds is heaven when you are munching gourmet cheeses after a long hike.
Don't I look glamorous in my $1 thrift store poncho?
I was glad to have it, and the only ones to see me were the goats and the three other soggy hikers!
I hope you will get the chance to visit Norway and hike the fjords, too.
Even in the rain there is endless inspiration.
