Yesterday and today II

Horses today: galloping in fresh, deep snow really is the biscuit ;)  Dogs yesterday: much harder work with the dogs as it was a small team of 4, and we were heaving through deep snow, all of us.  Although they heartily deserved it, they didn't share in my beer afterwards... (though I have to admit that as Blaebaer was barking at me and my beer with so much curiousity I let her test it [she didn't take to it, just tried to tip it out of her bowl...what a waste...the price of beer in Norway!...what a waste...]) 

Redpoll Day

In their hundreds... I saw them just here, by the ski track, devouring last years rowan berries. Glad to be back up North guys?  Well, it was warm today.... but tommorrow???

Målselv fjellandsby (mountain town)

I was up on the local ski-hill yesterday, admiring the hills.  I was out 'XC skiing' again (I tend NOT to stay on the 'XC' tracks yet somehow find myself wandering upwards through the woods, to see the mountains better ;)).  I was rewarded with some stunning sunshine and a great overview. 

So, here is the view towards town (Heggelia is almost dead centre of the pic, across the valley and 'beneath' the pointy big mountain [if you click on the photo here you can see more detail: Heggelia is on the left of the main town of Andselv, which is clearly seen as the houses on the right hand side]), also other vistas, some ptarmigan (the white blobs on the 5th photo down :)), reindeer tracks, etc.

ps. I am not wearing a skirt in the photo above (heaven forbid!)... the Viking Stance shadow is due to my jacket round the waist! (just in case of wierd comments!).

Heggelia, Bardufoss

Extremes

On 9th February, it finally happened: the sun hit my appartment.

So I was compelled to take a walk, and revel in it! ;)

Istinden ('the ice peak')- the local 1489m peak, which looms over Andselv, and looks pretty steep and snowy at best of times

and when this...
turns to this.... (on the 10th...) [same view, slightly different angle]

...I have a fall-back plan :)

Rostadalur hut tour

Well, it was a coolish weekend, (of about -18C, plus wind chill) and a visiting friend and I take a XC (XC!) ski tour up the local dalur to a nice, wee hut in the hills, just above treeline ('above the trees' is, apparently, 'where men wash the dishes best', I was informed...)

the frozen smile ('frozen', because my face muscles were a bit frozen, true enough)

extreme bridge-crossing



instant mousse - hut treat and easy to 'chill' on this trip :)

fox prints

The day after the ski trip, we helped with the Målselv rescue dog team. 

first you get into a snow-hole
then you are literally 'buried alive'

(hmmm :) out of the wind and cosy)

but not for long (well, if the dog is well trained!)...

for dogs digging me from my snowy shelter see also: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnNfYeqD8SBA (cut and paste this link to your browser, as I don't think it is a live link)

a good weekend, with just a touch of frost :)