Life on the Edge

I think I know how I'm going to raise millions for Julia's House. It's a simple plan, involving a swear box. I'm going to persuade the Norwegian authorities to install one on the top of Pulpit Rock. It would probably need to be a multilingual one and would also punish blasphemy. Pulpit Rock is a view almost impossible to experience without an expletive or two. A sheer drop down in to the Lysebotn Fjord 600 metres below.

One of the most amazing views you can find on this planet. 

We hadn't reached the top until around 8pm after a long and amazing driving day  over the mountain passes and checking out the switchbacks on the way down to the far end of the Lysebotn Fjord. 

From Flateland the Pratt Nav took us through some ongoing roadworks and up the winding road towards Lysebotn. Apparently this road had 7 metres of snow on it in May and they only cleared it 2 weeks ago. 

I would say picturesque but that doesn't come close to doing it justice. 

Icebergs in some of the lakes and many others partly covered in sheets of ice. Not only the scenery was breathtaking. The water temperature was fairly breathtaking too. Perhaps I should have waited until we dropped down a bit before going in. 

We heard from John and Sarah in the Lotus, who had set off early to try out the winding road above Lysebotn. Sarah said she hadn't been allowed a drive yet as John was like a 'pig in s***' flying up and down the switchbacks in his toy. He had his 'little boy on Christmas Day' grin. 

The ferry along the fjord was going to be too expensive. We had missed it anyway due to photo and swimming/snowball fight stops. Nothing for it but a trip back up the switchbacks. 

Another snow covered mountain pass and a short ferry took us to Preikestolen Camping. We weren't quite the last to arrive. Many tired but happy faces, but we had a dilemma. A two hour hike up to Pulpit Rock now, so very late dinner, or get up stupidly early and do it at first light. 

When I say first light, that's a bit misleading. We are only something like 400 miles south of the Arctic Circle. It never really gets beyond twilight at this time of year.

We chose the evening option and drove up to the car park. It's a challenging 3 mile, mainly uphill walk over boulders, rough stone steps and wooden walk ways but the rewards far outweigh the effort. Gut wrenching, jaw dropping... I'm going to have to break in to expletives if I carry on... See what I mean ? 

I'm liking Norway. A bit more to see today too as we head up the coast towards Bergen. I'm guessing the days will be getting longer and the nights lighter. Oh good. Haven't seen darkness since Germany.