Thursday
Dear Elsie
Today was the day I swam in a Norwegian fjord, we took a walk around Flam and we went on a train into the mountains. It was a good day. We arrived in Flam around 7am. I could see immediately, this was a tiny town. The length of the jetty is only about a quarter or a third of the length of the ship!
We docked, had breakfast and then I got into my swimming costume and marched down to the little beach to try out the water. (Photos by Julian and Mike)
Having a dip!
I wasn’t in for long!
Temperature was 7C
That was one big thing achieved. I really wanted to try out some colder water. Next time, I want to be in for a little longer. So freshing!
From there, I showered and dressed and we went for a walk around Flam. It is a teeny weeny town (population a few hundred).
Today we docked with our cabin portside, so I was able to take a photo of where we are. Ours is the circled cabin. Julian is next door.
This afternoon it was off to the train station for a scenic train ride on the Flam Railway. It was informative and very picturesque, rising 800m.
We passed the old town where the church remains – it was build in the 1660s.
Because Flam is surrounded by snow covered mountains, every spring, the rivers turn into cascades of abundant waterfalls falling down the mountainside and into the fjords. Our train ride took us past some of the most dramatic ones.
The Flam Railway has zooshed up this stop to include a ‘huldra’ – from Norwegian folklore, described as a seductive forest creature. At the stop, there is music playing the the huldra (dressed in red) dances to music. The cascades were amazing.
This is the railway line with the train and holiday or work houses. No one lives permanently in these parts.
A few port staff gathered on the quayside to wave goodbye. A friendly little town.
A really happy day in Flam. I don’t know if we will ever pass this way again, so these far away locations are very special. It’s 14700km from Cape Town to Flam!
Today I read John 6 – why we give thanks for our food and try not to waste any.
John 6:10-13
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
It’s not about now – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx 🙂