White Autumn

A sudden meeting with King Winter

It’s so beautiful in the mountains late fall (autumn) with all the bright yellow and red and orange colors and crystal clear blue sky. It’s allways like that. At least, it’s the dream picture we have created in our minds.

The descission to go was taken several weeks ago. Because

1. Need catsitter
2. Reserve the cabin

The Cabin belongs to employers of a local newspaper, that’s why the need for reservation.

I’m working outside the city of Oslo while Anna does work in the City. On Fridays she normally end her teaching at 1.30 pm. So I was there on time. In time to reach out of town before the roads blocks up.

Our weekend started with green grass and autumn leaves...

We made it; at least we drove out of town without too much bumping. Up the hills and down the hills northwest of Oslo to a place called Sundvolden where we were supposed to wait for Anne-Lise and Nils.

Sundvolden

They live in Fredrikstad about 100 km (70 miles) south of Oslo and we should meet at 2:30 pm. As usual, we were on time. They were nearly an hour late. Trafic? Nope. They too are dependent on catsitters. And forget to leave the entrencekey. He-he – a short detour of 2x30 minutes. Did they call us? No. They have a cellphone, but not yet seen the big idea having stored phonenumbers on the phone. So they still bring along their phone-book. I’ll have to teach them one of these days.

Luckely we were praised by Sunny weather while waiting and trees in beautiful colors. But, we were at a gaz-station so the surroundings could have been more charming.

Next stop 2 hours later. Coffee for the ones that must have this brown liquid. Roadside it was white. Yes: White. Snow. Down in the vally! At least, we had winter tyres, which handles all but ice and too much snow.
Another hour, and it was time to turn off from the main road and climb up the narrow mountain road. (8 km just right up on a snowcovered road.) Up and up and up. Not to heaven, but high enough this time of year. The last few yards the cars were not able to pass the snow but we did on our own legs.

Røysa

Well inside, the fireplace was lit, food and beverages intsalled and served, beds made ready, wine opened (B-i-B very popular when combined with mountain cabin) and the card-deck on table and me with paper and pen. After two nights playing, none had won. Hm.

Nils, Anne-Lise and Me

Saturday we went for a walk. Not too early in the morning. I would rather call it early in the afternoon. None of us had brought skis, consequently we used our natural way of move from one point to another: On shoveled mountainroads. We went to the end of the road. Too much snow to try to walk outside the road. That meant less than 2 hours walking.

View from the Kitchen

Saturday’s menue was simple but sooooo good: Får i kål – Lamb in cabbage. Read RennyBA’s article on that.


Saturday evening: Wine and playing Cards.
Sunday: Morning: Sauna. Brunch. Looking at photos. Outside snow and fog. Stay inside conditions. Not much of a colourful fall. Too late this year.

On our way down the mountain, we simply had to stop here. See the tree?

We stopped here (Krøderen) on our route back home. Had to rest for some minutes.

The Cats were picked up on Monday. Too tired on Sunday Evening.