April 22, 2010

Ash st(r)uck

Last week I was in Northern Norway when the volcano Eyjafjallajökul started messing about.
To make a long story short, the trip home that normally would have taken a couple of hours took two days.
And I was lucky compared to many others.
I am sharing some of the pictures from the train ride home, day two.
We are in between Trondheim and Hamar, mid part of Norway.


Not the best quality I am afraid, taken with a cell phone out of a train window!













I love the majestic, serene beauty of the mountains.
They don't care about harsh weather, about man's struggle, life and death.
Timelessness.


----
Coming home, I was met with another bout of snow (melting away during the day).
But the day after -  my favourite spring sign: The return of the wild geese.
I just love that sight and sound! 
Welcome back! How wonderful that you made it!
They are happily cheering each other on: Not far now! Keep the formation!




---
The weekend before last, I had another lovely ride with my daughter.
We packed food for the horses, and started out in lovely spring weather.


Happy Norwegian Cowboy #1 (undercover dressage lady on secret mission)


Happy Norwegian Cowboy #2.
Not chasing cows, but a place to eat!




Fame is fascinated by the sight and sound of the small waterfall.
We rode to our favourite place place to stop, and the horses were very happy for that.
They know the way, and they know what's up when we arrive...





Lunch time!
My daughter is Purchase Manager, I am the Bank and Horse Manager.
She happily purchases away whatever they have got.
Today's catch is waffles, carrot cake and chocolate cake. 
Health food for hungry cowboys. 
(Bank got busted.)




Down to the leftovers.




This lovely place is under siege from hungry people wandering around in the area.
We are in between skiiers and bikers though, so today it was a peaceful place.
When everything is eaten up, it is time to leave.




Bye for now!
Fame and Charlie are happily walking along towards home.




---
During the upcoming three months I will work in Germany three days a week due to a large project.
It will be hard work, but interesting too.
Might be less time for blogging though. 
We'll see.

19 comments:

trudi said...

Lovely pic heavy post! Sorry we won't hear so much for a while but hope the big project goes well. I'm hungry now at the thought of carrot cake...yum!

Stephanie - Siouxzeegirl Designs said...

SO nice to see you and your daughter enjoying some lovely horse time together! Happy you did not get stuck futher from the ash cloud :)

Grey Horse Matters said...

I'm happy to hear you were only stuck for two days. There are a lot of people in this country from abroad who have been stuck here many days.

Beautiful scenery. You and your daughter look like you're having a wonderful time. Norway is such a beautiful place.

Your project sounds interesting. I think it will be nice to be in Germany every week. Hope you do get to ride when you get home.

RuckusButt said...

I was just about to post a comment saying I hoped you weren't buried under an ash pile! Or, if you were stuck, to please use the time to blog everything you know about riding :)

I love your pictures from the train! What a nice view as you travel. And it's good to see your daughter out on a ride with you (seems like it's been awhile...). Her hair is amazing! The blonde version of Charlie's lovely tail ;)

I would absolutely love the ride you take to that eatery...although I would have to be both the purchase, horse AND bank manager!

Anne i Hannover said...

Well, I'm very happy about your work project in Germany:D I'll see you Wednesday! The weather report is pretty good for next week, sun and up to 20 degrees C. So no danger of snow;)

Wolfie said...

Glad that the ash wasn't too much of a pain in the butt for you. My sister returned from Kenya to Canada last weekend and was fortunate enough to be able to change her flights so after 40 hours of travel time, she made it home. A co-worker of mine was not so fortunate and has spent an extra week in Canada waiting to return to Germany.

Love your pictures! How wonderful to go for a ride and picnic. The ones of your daughter sitting and riding in a t-shirt while surrounded by snow brought a smile to my Canadian face!

Good luck with your project in Germany!! Hope it goes well for you.

phaedra96 said...

What beautiful landscape! I am Norwegian/Swedish on my mother's side. I would so love to go there someday. Doubt it will ever happen. Spent two years in Germany, courtesy of Uncle Sam; my oldest son was born in Landstuhl. Where will you be going?

HorseOfCourse said...

Thanks for your comments all!

Trudi - the carrot cake they have got there is just heaven. Luckily the pieces you get are very generously sliced too. Mmmmm. It's worth the trip alone!

Stephanie - yes, I am very happy when I get to ride together with her, it's a treat.
We have been riding together since she was a child, but turning 15 now it's not always that she wants Mum as company anymore. The horses go well together too, so we enjoyed the trip, all of us.

GHM - Thanks. I will be able to ride when I am home, but I will miss out during the weeks (which bothers me some). But I will get help. I had actually a very nice scheme set up where our instructor A would ride Fame a couple of days each week for me. Unfortunately that won't work out as Annie is pregnant and has had some back problems this week.

RB - you are welcome to join us any day!

Anne - keep the beer cool and save some sun, I'm looking forward to see you!

Wolfie - thanks! Yes, I have given up on my daughter. While I wrap myself up in pullovers and jackets, she happily rides in an a t-shirt. I have to bite my tongue not to comment as I hear my Mum telling me at the same age to put on some more clothes...which irritated me as I was warm!

phaedra96 - welcome! How nice that you have a Scandinavian Mum! Do you speak any Swedish/Norwegian? If you have relatives here, you should visit you know - but it's a long trip. I will be staying in Hannover when in Germany.

The Equestrian Vagabond said...

I would've loved to be stuck in northern Norway because of the ash cloud and spend 2 days taking the train home!
: ))))
I have Norwegian friends who have sailed the west coast of Norway, one time both directions, and they said I could come if they do it again.
Oh, boy, am I crossing my fingers.
- The Equestrian Vagabond

HorseOfCourse said...

The westcoast is beautiful Merri, that's where all the fjords are. So I am crossing my fingers for you too; that would be a lovely trip, I am sure.

allhorsestuff said...

Hello friend,
Oh lovely ride and picnic with you daughter!!! Loved that, bet the pnoies did too.
The photo's of the train ride were very awesome...yea, GRAND MOUNTAINS care not for the trials and tribulations of us humans...in fact-sometimes they cause some for us!
Your ponies are so gleaming-ly shiny! Just gorgeous.
I shall miss you for the time you work that different area...but every season changes, and this will be one of those..and like you said, it will be interesting.

Thanks for asking about my heart disposition ...I miss my kitten terribly so...she was like coming home..and now it is very empty at home. It will get better, I know. So I go to the other girl often and there is a barn cat named Charlie there...he has sought me out more and more and it feels nice~
KK

HorseOfCourse said...

KK - thanks for your kind words. I understand that you miss your kitten. Two years ago my Birma died after 16 wonderful years together. It's not easy.

Shanster said...

I love the mountains too. Such pretty pictures and what a lovely ride you had...

Unknown said...

What a lovely pick-nick with your daughter and the horses! Can't wait to be able to do something like that with my daughter, too! And so nice pictures!

Laura Crum said...

Horse of Course--Glad to hear all is well. I kept checking your blog wondering how you were dealing with the whole ash cloud issue. Sounds like you did OK. I loved the photos of your ride--we have rain here--not so scenic as snow, and effectively prevents me getting out on the trail. Good wishes--Laura

DQwannaB said...

I remember when you took this ride last year...same tree, picnic table, people and ponies. I loved reading about it then and I still love it now. I just wanted you to know that even though I don't comment as often I read your blog ALWAYS. I check nearly every day for a new post. We are starting our spring trail riding here in the Sierra Nevada foothills (in California) and the wildflowers are fantastic. I'm trying to figure out a way to post some pics for you.
I hope you can find a way to keep blogging once in awhile.

Once Upon an Equine said...

That ash has sure caused a lot of trouble around the world. Beautiful pictures though. I'm amazed at how much snow you still have on the ground. I should quit complaining about what we have here. I'm in the same boat here with a super heavy work load. Blog when you are able. Sometimes life doesn't let us choose our priorities like we want.

HorseOfCourse said...

Thanks for you comments all!

Shanster - mountains come in handy when training the horses too, lol!

Pia - sharing the riding with my daughter has been a great joy. We have so many nice memories. I wish you many happy trips together with yours!

Laura - thank you. I hope your weather clears up, so you will get some nice sunny spring rides too!

DQwannaB - that sounds lovely! Yes, the place where we stopped is our favourite. When my dughter was younger it was a looong ride to her, but now it's not so long anymore, lol! But it's nice because we can tie up the horses a bit away from the main stream of people, so it's easier to get them to relax than on some of the alternatives. And they have very good cakes. And waffles. Post pictures on your blog, and I'll drop by - I would love to see you trail round surroundings!

OnceUpon - now finally the ground is free from snow, and we have changed to summer tyres on the horses too!

sanjeet said...

I think it will be nice to be in Germany every week. Hope you do get to ride when you get home.
Adsense Alternative