When we last left off, we had just arrived in beautiful Norheimsund in the Hardanger Fjord in Norway, planning to stay here the winter. Norheimsund has not disappointed.
Norheimsund surrounds a beautiful lake called Lake Movatnet which is fed by the dramatic waterfall Steinsdalsfossen.The flat part of white to the right of the middle of this picture part of Folgefonna, comprising of 3 plateau glaciers in the Folgefonna National Park. There is a ski area here, and loads of wild hiking. Our view from Away looks out on to the Fjord and the glacier above.This stone bridge carries cars and pedestrians across the outlet from Lake Movatnet where the salt water from the fjord mixes with the fresh water from the lake. Depending on the time of the tide and how much rainfall we’ve had, the water rushes out like this, or in from the Hardanger Fjord.The town is very picturesque.Steinsdalsfossen.Steinsdalsfossen waterfall is so famous it even has a car park, two gift shops and a coffee shop.Can’t resist a selfie.Usually, you can walk right under the overhang of the waterfall, but not during winter. So we enjoy the view with our icecreams. We decided this was part of our conditioning process, as it is going to get a LOT colder here soon.The waterfall wasn’t always here, the river used to travel further west from where it is now, until one day the river broke its banks due to massive flooding and whether due to an avalanche or build up of snow, managed to change its path towards this overhang. The rock above is hard lava, and where the path goes is a softer rock, hence the overhang.After a large amount of rain there is plenty of waterfall drama.Its not long and the colours start changing as each day the sun gets a little lower.We get a little more adventurous one day and go for a walk up a very large hill. Climbing to 1.5 hours straight up brought us to this scenic campground with stuning views of the Hardanger Fjord. Bernie of course really appreciated the view by sniffing the ground incessantly. He had a great day and fell into bed.You can almost see the glacier – Folgefonna – in this photo. Its our constant view down on Away in the fjord.Quaint campground inclusive of huts next to the lake.
We have been walking and walking, and exploring the town. We’ve caught the bus into Bergen and bought some of the most expensive fish ever.
We wander around the old dock areas named Tyskebryggen in Bergen. Bernie was allowed on the bus so he got to have a day out touristing with us.We do love some interesting street art. Bergen definitely has a more “city” feel than Norheimsund.
More walking.
Views over the Folgefonna National Park from the east side of Norheimsund.
The winter weather sets in and things get frosty. We awake one morning to some icy windows. No snow yet. We are also busily preparing the boat for winter. Norheimsund does get snow, sometimes a lot, and so its best to be protected from that.
Fi does a little trip to warmer weather. Sunshine, friends and family for a short while. Apologies for not being able to see everyone, it was a quick trip!
Bye Fi! Off she goes to Bergen airport to begin her 40 hour journey back to Sydney for a couple of weeks.Bernie misses Fi for the first 5 minutes.
Adrian stays on dog sitting duties and discovers more secrets in the hills around the town.
Not much wind in the hills.Secret lakes.Waterfalls appeared out of the cloudsFolgefonna from the back of Away.Hidden Folgefonna and the entrance to Norheimsund harbour from the Hardanger Fjord. Lake Movatnet in the foreground. While Fi was away it rained. And rained.Its borderline freezing… but at least he wore his raincoat to keep the rain off.Still missing Fi.
And before Adrian and Bernie know it, Fi is back! And brought Arnotts mint slice Vegemite and Milo with her! No time to waste, so more hiking in the hills to get over the jet lag. There is so little sun these days, the jet lag sticks around.
Look at all that sunshine in Sydney!Yay she’s back! And brought the sunshine too!We found a golf course.And played with our new toy!The low light here makes for some spectacular scenery.Up into the hills we go one morning! Backpacks packed with our camp stove, tea bags and milk, lunch, water and some snacks.You trip over waterfalls everywhere in Norway. This one had a particularly interesting opposite bank where the grass stems were frozen solid. Made for some cool photos.We cook up a hot lunch and cups of tea in the hills. Bernie as always very helpful.Coming back past the waterfall on the way down. Bernie as usual really appreciating the view.Those frozen grass fronds in the afternoon light.Water spray from the waterfall freezes wherever it lands.Lots of icy patches up here.Down down we go, appreciating the afternoon light.
More walking and amazing photos. The local lake freezes over.
Not a lot of flowing water left for these ducks.Its sheltered in our little corner of the fjord, but some days the wind howls off the peaks and the main fjord turns foamy white.Fi stepped out of the cockpit one morning to this view. The mist was unbelievable and made the whole world look black and white.Just to prove the photo wasn’t in black and white, here is a local fishing boat making a cameo.
In our typical fashion, we can’t keep still for too long. So some other plans are afoot. One frosty afternoon after preparing Away for some extended alone time over winter, we hire a car, bundling up the dog and some belongings into the back. We say farewell to Norheimsund – its hills, waterfalls, glaciers and lakes – and drive into the cold Norwegian night…
This place is sooo beautiful!! Loved that you all hiked up the mountain and made a hot lunch on your camp stoveā¦ I bet it tasted extra delicious in such beautiful surroundings. Thank you for being so descriptive and pointing out different features along the way. Absolutely love your posts x Looking forward to next time xx
fiandadrian (Post author)
Yay! So happy you enjoyed! So many stories to come already š¤
Jackie
Wow, you guys are seeing so much! This is all so beautiful. I’m so jealous of all the photo opportunities you are getting. Well done on the beautiful images. I’m thinking of going to Norway in 2024 to see the northern lights, but happy to meet you wherever you are in the world after that xx
Join Fi, Adrian and Bernie as we adventure where the wind takes us.
This place is sooo beautiful!! Loved that you all hiked up the mountain and made a hot lunch on your camp stoveā¦ I bet it tasted extra delicious in such beautiful surroundings. Thank you for being so descriptive and pointing out different features along the way. Absolutely love your posts x Looking forward to next time xx
Yay! So happy you enjoyed! So many stories to come already š¤
Wow, you guys are seeing so much! This is all so beautiful. I’m so jealous of all the photo opportunities you are getting. Well done on the beautiful images. I’m thinking of going to Norway in 2024 to see the northern lights, but happy to meet you wherever you are in the world after that xx