The global pandemic hit Norway full force early in March 2020- Knut came home from skiing in Austria on March 4th and on Monday, March 9th he went into quarantine for two weeks. The following texts we exchanged while I was at work and he working from home consisted mainly of discussions on whether or not I too should be quarantined, whether or not he could be tested and what Per's test result was (negative). By March 12th the messages were "Sats is closed" , "and now all schools and kindergartens are closed" , "I hope Thomas comes home" , "Yes, send him a message" , "Now we all have to fix working at home from tomorrow" and "oi, sga sei" (Oh! I'll be).
Friday, March 13th
Since March 13th we have been working from home, Knut in the office and I at the dining room table, after a week I borrowed a small table and chair from work and moved into the TV room.
March 13th was a Friday and since our trip to Knaben was obviously cancelled, we packed the car full of furniture for the porch at the cabin, skis and food, ready to at least enjoy the weekend at the cabin. But before we could drive away, the news came out that no one was allowed to go to their cabins. The reason being that we were not to overload the medical capacity of the small communities that support the cabin tourists. That was one that no one expected and we were bummed but unpacked the car and decided to take a long walk around the neighbourhood, trying to get our heads around what was going on. We filled 4 bags with recycling and took off to the bins. We then walked and walked, filling the bags again with trash we found along the way. It became "Austrått rundt" and we went up Skaret, past all the new housing up to Vedafjellet and past Høyland Kirke home again. We didn't realise it then, but this was just the start of what we have come to call "Koronaturene" (The Corona hikes)
Saturday, March 14th
It's hard to recall what we filled most of the day with, I went to Sandnes to try to but new randomisers-boots. I spent a while at Platou and found some, but couldn't finish the purchase without talking to their local expert, so I made an appt. to see him Monday. Other than that, the day went by as any other weekend day in Sandnes. Shortly before dark we decided to get in a hike and we went to Dalsnuten. Up and down in about an hour. We only met about 8 or 10 people that evening. It was chilly and windy at the top, but as always, the view from the top was great. Here are som video klips saved from SnapChat.
Sunday March 15th
Day three of the lockdown. We've been trying to talk to the kids a lot and we talk to Arnlaug at least once every day. Sure would be nice to have the kids home. Today's trip was in Melshei. We didn't really have a plan as to where we'd go in Melshei, but as we started walking, it turned out to be a mini-7-tops trip. The real 7-tops-trip is held once a year and covers about 16 km. We just hip 7 of the best tops in the Melshei area. We went to Stortofjellet, Oslifjellet, Glihammaren, Pålsberget, Nonsberget, Skogaberget and Steinfjellet.
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| Sandnes has maps at all parking areas. |
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| Most trails are well marked with posts and red paint |
Monday, March 16th
By this time several places were being told to close down; hairdressers, physical therapists, movie theatres and any practice that required physical contact. Concerts were cancelled, restaurants had to seat people at least 1 meter apart and all appointments at the police were cancelled. There went my application for Norwegian citizenship for now.
I went back to Platou to meet the randomisers-boot-expert, but he couldn't help me because of the dangers of corona. So I just put the boots on hold for now. we can't go skiing anyway.
Other than that, it was another busy day at work for both of us. We hardly see each other between 08.00 and 16.00. But thoughts of where we should go for a walk were in the back of my mind all day.
other between 08.00 and 16.00. But thoughts of where we should go for a walk were in the back of my mind all day.
Today's trip started at Dale and we went to Lifjellet, over the top and past Dalevatn on the way back. We had head lamps with us and needed them for sure!
Today's trip started at Dale and we went to Lifjellet, over the top and past Dalevatn on the way back. We had head lamps with us and needed them for sure!
Tuesday, March 17th
oUr 30th anniversary. We certainly didn't expect to spend our 30th anniversary in a lockdown because of a global pandemic. Such is life.
Today was Knut's last day of quarantine and we only took a long walk in Sanvedparken with a stop at Mega to get some groceries on the way home. I went ahead of Knut on the way back so only one of us went in the store to shop.
All the stores have jars of antibacterial at the entrance and by each csh register. People wear mittens or gloves while shopping and avoid going anywhere near each other. It's all very surreal.
Wednesday, March 18th
By now I finally accepted that there would be no party at Villa Skeiene for my 60th. We had invited almost 30 friends on the 27th, but today I sent out messages to all of them telling them it was cancelled. Everyone was expecting it and I have never seen so many hearts on my SMS feed.
After work today we took off headed for Gramstad. There weren't too many cars there so late in the afternoon. We went on the opposite side from Dalsnuten The area is extremely popular and all the trails up there are very well used. We headed towards Paradisskaret. Along the way we met the same man we met coming back from out Lifjell-Dalevatn walk. He was so friendly and told us what it's like getting to Bjørndalsfjellet; Just keep going and when you think you're almost there just go a little bit longer. It's worth it!
So we cossed Paradisskaret and went straight up to Mattirudlå først. The views were amazing. You gotta love Sandnes!
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| Headed up Paradisskaret |
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| On the way to Mattirudlå |
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| Mattirudlå |
From Mattirudlå we continued to Bjørndalsfjellet. Knut had not been at these tops before. I have done the Sandnes 7-Nutstur 11 times and many years the route hits these two tops. So fun to show them to Knut now.
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| Looking over Dybingen |
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| Add caption |
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| Hommersåk in the distance |
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| Back at the car before dark! |
Day 7
We have decided to pick up take-away a couple of times a week to try and give some of the local restaurants some business. Today we ordered pizza from Delikatessen and took a quick hike op to Eikeskogfjellet from Bråsteinsvannet to hit the 8th top in Melshei while waiting for dinner.
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| Eikeskogsfjellet |
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| Headed into Melshei |
We wandered around in Melshei for a while before herding back towards the car. While walking along the path I saw some steps heading straight up the mountain side. It was too tempting to pass up, so we went up and got a nice surprise. There's a mast up there and the steps went up there. It didn't take many minutes to get one final view over the area.
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| Back at the car with the mast in the background |
No hike today. After work we did some shopping and prepared for our first Happy Hour on Skype with Patti and Cornell. Knut picked up shrimp and we met then around 6 for a party. It was so much fun. Cornell even had his tux-t-shirt on! During the evening (their early afternoon) Cornell declared that this was the first time he had to take a bathroom break during a phone call!
What a great way to keep in touch. We'll have to do this again.
Saturday, March 21st
After a party like we had last night we decided to stay home most of the day and get our small yard ready for spring. We went to Palle and picked up some fertilizer, soil, plants and some more flowers for Arnlaug.
Speaking of Arnlaug, she is simply amazing. She is of course all alone and does not want any visitors just to be sure. We speak to her at least once a day and by the sound of it, we are not the only ones calling her regularly.
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