Peacocks In My Garden?

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtJQ9t8Ves7vyuA6oiEEiBZyiq8xCmb5JPU6ynEVQHYNZkM0PJrvc4KZxZMi7oRrPqhfMnnMWu_k5fCONKRhI4NygajIca3lx1vXTYe8C_WVhQqArWcA1B7s8m46l45-egxEzvCi8vAw/s1600/IMG_0498-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtJQ9t8Ves7vyuA6oiEEiBZyiq8xCmb5JPU6ynEVQHYNZkM0PJrvc4KZxZMi7oRrPqhfMnnMWu_k5fCONKRhI4NygajIca3lx1vXTYe8C_WVhQqArWcA1B7s8m46l45-egxEzvCi8vAw/s640/IMG_0498-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clever poster seen on Underground<br />(my only peacock photo on file)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I recently received a mass email </div><div style="text-align: center;">addressed to my neighborhood</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Has anyone lost a peacock?<br />There is a big one in my garden, and he's not very friendly'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't that a hoot?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Turns out escaped peacocks now are breeding in England</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Like other exotic birds such as the black swan from Australia,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the Egyptian goose, and ring-necked <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/wintry-week.html">parakeet</a>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">peacocks can now be spied going native on our island</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">{ It is thought<br />the one in my neighborhood escaped from</div><div style="text-align: center;">a local National Trust site }<br /><br />Happy Weekend, y'all!</div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Peacocks In My Garden?

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK Clever poster seen on Underground (my only peacock photo on file) I recently received a mass email  addressed t...

Read more »

32 Adventures In The UK

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Sometimes I feel like Alice in Wonderland,<br />for I am in constant <b>wonder</b><br />at how much there is to do in this small country<br /><br />Here's a list I'm chipping away at,<br />knowing I won't ever do it all...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFaFPh8eugGoDVPu5aDmeNSrbzEOiURgp6xUXk127H6f3IzVaFH81PS3a0taGGTfUejB737WIkKdEDgJDCQPCfAS74cZUG_0bDKyNpn6vhAMKbaaEuYd3rYZT65ztyeAsd4AXUC858r8/s1600/IMG_0235-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFaFPh8eugGoDVPu5aDmeNSrbzEOiURgp6xUXk127H6f3IzVaFH81PS3a0taGGTfUejB737WIkKdEDgJDCQPCfAS74cZUG_0bDKyNpn6vhAMKbaaEuYd3rYZT65ztyeAsd4AXUC858r8/s640/IMG_0235-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Learn to <a href="http://www.watergatebay.co.uk/extremeacademy.htm">surf</a> at the Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay, Cornwall<br /><br />2. Try <a href="http://www.barefootsurf.com/sandboarding.html">sandboarding</a> in north Devon</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Explore coast, cliffs and caves while swimming (aka <a href="http://www.adventuresark.com/">coasteering</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;">on the vehicle-free island of Sark</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Go <a href="http://www.chillisauce.co.uk/activity-weekends/cardiff/gorge-scrambling/">gorge scrambling + river tubing</a> in Wales<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Try caving/<a href="http://www.gocave.com/">spelunking</a> in northern England</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />6. Soar above the Peak District in a <a href="http://www.fly-paragliders.co.uk/">paramotor</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Fly over Cornwall's botanical Eden Project on England's longest <a href="http://www.edenproject.com/come-and-visit/whats-on/eden-adventure/zip-wire">zipline</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKAPFmN_sGzhSb4q9wFe7touoSVI6C0FHJGXh5GNkW2Riat6bTwrvyP81wnbqblsir1SwUTKhva51pVMBtXR1KDiFgd9kuTRuF3UWKjXFHT7CawKdW6E-tBAiZ5XDVTu1KtiCBCKFJPQ/s1600/DSC01261-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKAPFmN_sGzhSb4q9wFe7touoSVI6C0FHJGXh5GNkW2Riat6bTwrvyP81wnbqblsir1SwUTKhva51pVMBtXR1KDiFgd9kuTRuF3UWKjXFHT7CawKdW6E-tBAiZ5XDVTu1KtiCBCKFJPQ/s640/DSC01261-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eden Project</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">8. Swim to France via the <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/living-on-island.html">English Channel</a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">9. Snorkel with <a href="http://www.acuatours.com/dive-basking-sharks-uk.html">sharks</a> in Scotland</div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">10. Scuba dive in the <a href="http://www.visitengland.com/ee/idea/Activities/Dive-HMS-Scylla-Wreck.htm">HMS Scylla Wreck</a> in Devon</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">11. Try New Zealand's <a href="http://rafting.co.uk/bug.htm">river bugging</a> in Scotland</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">12. Rent a <a href="http://www.viking-afloat.co.uk/longboat.htm">narrowboat</a> to explore the canals on your own</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4fmcqcYbpQ0tNfSyYutdENb7EdqWL3hduOKODMHq1HPuv8PvDCy5xvIcHLaxeKc-Oql5RKdlox4fU_Df_QMpoizPZpi-MOpW3U7phWrU1FFHrYCce_TOf3ywftE6hcoVRNjy9Z9IghrL/s1600/DSC_0179-004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4fmcqcYbpQ0tNfSyYutdENb7EdqWL3hduOKODMHq1HPuv8PvDCy5xvIcHLaxeKc-Oql5RKdlox4fU_Df_QMpoizPZpi-MOpW3U7phWrU1FFHrYCce_TOf3ywftE6hcoVRNjy9Z9IghrL/s640/DSC_0179-004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">13. Go <a href="http://www.goflyfishinguk.com/">fly fishing</a> in one of Great Britain's scenic rivers or lakes</div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">14. Be a <a href="http://www.aspinallfoundation.org/howletts/experiences">zookeeper</a> for the day at Howletts Animal Park in Kent</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">15. <a href="http://www.surrey-hills-llamas.co.uk/">Llama trek</a> through the Surrey Hills </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFmwY56QYAokVyGz1IQZnzEnc4xEVtYfY8NLFNpyEOO_CpMx_m_wcn-WwzOSkpchzLuYd5jY9cKy-UuXGGTuFcsmc6SKMfg-xm1rzIsnOwLLJQlvqkzRqtCa7inLodlrBvZZyg_XEfX8/s1600/IMG_1922-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFmwY56QYAokVyGz1IQZnzEnc4xEVtYfY8NLFNpyEOO_CpMx_m_wcn-WwzOSkpchzLuYd5jY9cKy-UuXGGTuFcsmc6SKMfg-xm1rzIsnOwLLJQlvqkzRqtCa7inLodlrBvZZyg_XEfX8/s640/IMG_1922-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />16. Be a passenger during a <a href="http://www.theblades.com/Blades-corporate-homepage/Blades-corporate-site/Capabilities/Individual-experiences.aspx">stunt airplane</a> flight <br /><br />17. Test your limits in a <a href="http://www.paulswift.com/ultimate-stunt-driving.asp">stunt car driving school</a><br /><br />18. Churn your stomach at the UK's largest <a href="http://www.zorbing.co.uk/">zorbing park</a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-dVzaPfIc5Tji1PpCWxSMJjyNGMG2fpXJpOlKg49lPOISI4NyxrBckD5HsHGMK-KAnZsDkuxMSRAjIoQgA4r6VH4re8epFfG3aVAXQJxZmAxv5mcqLvWTLhZ8s5RtOBocb-sqWB9bXeX/s1600/DSCN0466-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-dVzaPfIc5Tji1PpCWxSMJjyNGMG2fpXJpOlKg49lPOISI4NyxrBckD5HsHGMK-KAnZsDkuxMSRAjIoQgA4r6VH4re8epFfG3aVAXQJxZmAxv5mcqLvWTLhZ8s5RtOBocb-sqWB9bXeX/s400/DSCN0466-005.JPG" width="346" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />19. <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/muddy-boots-glam-ping.html">Camp out</a> on a working farm<br />at Feather Down Farms<br /><br />20. Spend a few days at <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/center-parcs.html">Center Parcs</a>,<br />packed with activities for all ages<br /><br />21. 22. 23. 24.<br />Sleep in a <a href="http://www.cleywindmill.co.uk/">windmill</a>, <a href="http://www.thornburycastle.co.uk/">castle</a>, <a href="http://gypsycaravanbreaks.co.uk/accommodation-and-facilities">gypsy caravan</a>, or <a href="http://www.happydaysrv.co.uk/">vintage camper</a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVVcIaAQkGy301BUA_LAjdHHtp8p-vSXLAzehIGafaC9CwzRVRgJM1Yp1BQDgiYSpphyGK1d0t2OGqbOr3zFKrUGmnGMXrsMd3S3JRq9fL_a-X-II8tvR52oyCK4gWpaSwL4yCmLJc2I/s1600/DSCN3832-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVVcIaAQkGy301BUA_LAjdHHtp8p-vSXLAzehIGafaC9CwzRVRgJM1Yp1BQDgiYSpphyGK1d0t2OGqbOr3zFKrUGmnGMXrsMd3S3JRq9fL_a-X-II8tvR52oyCK4gWpaSwL4yCmLJc2I/s640/DSCN3832-006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">LONDON CALLING<br /><br />25. View the inside of <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/along-peter-pans-route-big-ben.html">Big Ben</a><br />(open to UK residents only)<br /><br />26. Witness the nightly lock up of the Tower of London<br />in the <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/london-ceremony-of-keys.html">Ceremony Of The Keys</a> (free)<br /><br />27. Enjoy wine tasting in your private <a href="http://www.londoneye.com/PrivateCapsules/CorporateEvents/CorporateCapsules/VinopolisWineTasting/Default.aspx">London Eye</a> capsule<br /><br />28. Walk on top of one of London's landmarks, <a href="http://www.theo2.co.uk/upattheo2">The O2 Arena</a><br /><br />29. <a href="http://www.tallyhocycletours.com/london/our-tours/">Cycle</a> through London on a classic British bicycle tour<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMXDoKa1P5jrYgoBrLy-_31UTIpKGRTnyO5spLirgel7ccDKy8xZ-0gsnbLS2zSCl2uk69CKn2KoxvOUr9b3MM4uHjaiJpf3TrMXjg66RQSvfg-f4RYtHN_ZDgynlOr7vqdCxZCPpmPc/s1600/DSCN3898-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMXDoKa1P5jrYgoBrLy-_31UTIpKGRTnyO5spLirgel7ccDKy8xZ-0gsnbLS2zSCl2uk69CKn2KoxvOUr9b3MM4uHjaiJpf3TrMXjg66RQSvfg-f4RYtHN_ZDgynlOr7vqdCxZCPpmPc/s640/DSCN3898-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />30. Try <a href="http://www.vertical-chill.com/vertical-chill-london.htm">ice climbing</a> in the heart of London <br /><br />31. Get wet while rafting the rapids<br />at the Olympic <a href="http://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/en/content/cms/london2012/lee-valley-white-water-centre/rafting/">Lee Valley White Water Center</a><br /><br />32. Tour the River Thames in riveting <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/bond-girl-for-day-or-two.html">James Bond style</a><br /><br />Where to start first?<br />Have you tried any of these?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

32 Adventures In The UK

Posted By Happy Homemaker UK Sometimes I feel like Alice in Wonderland, for I am in constant wonder at how much there is to do in this small...

Read more »

Stairway To Norway

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">With a few weeks before school started</div><div style="text-align: center;">I decided to take the kids somewhere</div><div style="text-align: center;">while my husband stayed behind to work</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Where could I travel safely and easily with two kids in tow?</div><div style="text-align: center;">- <i>Norway</i> -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOx5MS4BOoUWbVcYBINkCT_JwEzBZuDMhKMw2_SlRrYDXvkTY-s-S0JMNhsR8i74bPE-A6_Z7YrSY8xP5s9H8GYZ0sDD15Mo14wsUt2V6fy3IDwfIBJOEegf6JpZJwAthQOGTr5P6I4Aw/s1600/IMG_1521-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOx5MS4BOoUWbVcYBINkCT_JwEzBZuDMhKMw2_SlRrYDXvkTY-s-S0JMNhsR8i74bPE-A6_Z7YrSY8xP5s9H8GYZ0sDD15Mo14wsUt2V6fy3IDwfIBJOEegf6JpZJwAthQOGTr5P6I4Aw/s640/IMG_1521-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We started our trip in Bergen,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Norway's second largest city</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYQQHpWOi6g8yVW3FpRFxUDsPZXBpyY_4MH-je04-s5Z9EWzwAPE5SxoFBE222LpKD8vqtJ140KVY1sVTK-MzEnnrzfr5IC-ROxChkwnhfOdVxM6kxG1EGvemR0xPkj6W7o0YMI4bgeqE/s1600/IMG_0672-010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYQQHpWOi6g8yVW3FpRFxUDsPZXBpyY_4MH-je04-s5Z9EWzwAPE5SxoFBE222LpKD8vqtJ140KVY1sVTK-MzEnnrzfr5IC-ROxChkwnhfOdVxM6kxG1EGvemR0xPkj6W7o0YMI4bgeqE/s640/IMG_0672-010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I couldn't get enough of these letterboxes<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERY7ZNX55o6253UDlZTEFCXd0PKVhJDQmR95_PNc6X-dwYIf7CUT9LGwnqYBkeNjBmkoerGJ9Ygh4ogLgpqV7EWBLcifO1TivmKjX44H10JtYNRkdm5_1CxL6Wyego2Lo_ZslQuU2nvk/s1600/IMG_1455-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERY7ZNX55o6253UDlZTEFCXd0PKVhJDQmR95_PNc6X-dwYIf7CUT9LGwnqYBkeNjBmkoerGJ9Ygh4ogLgpqV7EWBLcifO1TivmKjX44H10JtYNRkdm5_1CxL6Wyego2Lo_ZslQuU2nvk/s640/IMG_1455-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As the crowns indicate,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Norway has a monarch (King Harald V) and a prime minister</div><div style="text-align: center;">like the United Kingdom</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They gained independence from Sweden in 1905</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As one of the few European countries that did <i>not</i> join the European Union,</div><div style="text-align: center;">you can see and feel this country's independence</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiFWZ3DvDU0qaCHbck3w5c80owwV9DQFIkJ2__k1kAJI8DTY8MFSTOJKxx9n9SNrCEs8UYUhDuWIRmnH7mO5crDq_QfTNF_CeXYdxFqASCPdMR2U9WsPaNQMMekq3o0wA8JOFv2eRG-M/s1600/IMG_1510-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiFWZ3DvDU0qaCHbck3w5c80owwV9DQFIkJ2__k1kAJI8DTY8MFSTOJKxx9n9SNrCEs8UYUhDuWIRmnH7mO5crDq_QfTNF_CeXYdxFqASCPdMR2U9WsPaNQMMekq3o0wA8JOFv2eRG-M/s640/IMG_1510-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grocery stores had lots of unique Norwegian brands<br />which felt very refreshing and authentic<br />as other European grocery stores often have the same products<br />probably due to the EU trade<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I adored the Norwegian coins with holes in the middle</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />And interestingly</div><div style="text-align: center;">parents must choose their child's name from a list of official Norwegian names</div><div style="text-align: center;">This strict name law dates back to the 1800s</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NtUZAu8SRDLW0ZKAqmyBw7lc2-HZxM4HEvzhMz-ilW3_uupqsodkluLTKU-CCnWg8I2HhihsVFk6kpypLcwhBXMmys61qOB1QWOIhwzHuK-8aVGIrDvlfsu9HF6dla0HzejAr836-_o/s1600/IMG_1543-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NtUZAu8SRDLW0ZKAqmyBw7lc2-HZxM4HEvzhMz-ilW3_uupqsodkluLTKU-CCnWg8I2HhihsVFk6kpypLcwhBXMmys61qOB1QWOIhwzHuK-8aVGIrDvlfsu9HF6dla0HzejAr836-_o/s640/IMG_1543-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />We happily got 'lost' in these cobbled alleys<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg674VwCwf79VHTij5kKNSimZRO6GBLk1R7d2q3bsMNdSBws__ng4nTfOdqQxvfYiX8pMFNupLnm9xA-nLSBXx6H3rU0qUoGaIDIxTT0W9j0pc6BdccOHzTySYYCw3eckGtrxblF38E0cI/s1600/IMG_1475-022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg674VwCwf79VHTij5kKNSimZRO6GBLk1R7d2q3bsMNdSBws__ng4nTfOdqQxvfYiX8pMFNupLnm9xA-nLSBXx6H3rU0qUoGaIDIxTT0W9j0pc6BdccOHzTySYYCw3eckGtrxblF38E0cI/s640/IMG_1475-022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />And as if the country didn't have me at their longest word<br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>minoritetsladningsbærerdiffusjonskoeffisientmålingsapparatur</i></span></span></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">(try saying that five times, or even one)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">the fjords did...</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaefnoBagbTFY8Uu7JTk2N0KY4yWKEAMY6AdBKsV8rGrqoU9zTi2k6fd7iapXFlnjSJe6julaZINOg-kOgQXwCtxzWM0txN5et19ED_i-tMuOl56THb9OP11cynZgP59abg6oZWy-yx8M/s1600/IMG_0943-014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaefnoBagbTFY8Uu7JTk2N0KY4yWKEAMY6AdBKsV8rGrqoU9zTi2k6fd7iapXFlnjSJe6julaZINOg-kOgQXwCtxzWM0txN5et19ED_i-tMuOl56THb9OP11cynZgP59abg6oZWy-yx8M/s640/IMG_0943-014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">We traveled by boat through the Sognefjord,</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">the world's second deepest fjord and the 3rd longest</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Fjord is a Norwegian word, indicating a long narrow water inlet surrounded by </span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">steep mountains </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">carved by glacial activity</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">I don't know the word for <i>cute nestled fjord villages</i></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">but I bet it has some cool vowels in it </span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">like</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.03333282470703px;">å or </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 21px; line-height: 29.866666793823242px;">Ø</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibr-udK3PDD08m3rH6gumqjYoQGO0Jj13USU7SbE_oxWwMBWsS8OHa9YkzFd-pnkTFFUZZHxKV_af3jX_AaEYQmxBxUdMlFWQlGUElTJpD9CitXhVpvsIekBILaCQtHabFn6A62Va0TNI/s1600/IMG_1130-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibr-udK3PDD08m3rH6gumqjYoQGO0Jj13USU7SbE_oxWwMBWsS8OHa9YkzFd-pnkTFFUZZHxKV_af3jX_AaEYQmxBxUdMlFWQlGUElTJpD9CitXhVpvsIekBILaCQtHabFn6A62Va0TNI/s640/IMG_1130-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Here's a treehouse</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">with a million dollar view...</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDI4jlS3yeu5Vb6YvEqnirkgjbYs82SnK_k0n0elUSHVg3rrCOyLxqJNoHMrYDEZHUZZ1Jczk7ne1QNozAzRxFEPiFmEi9TkD01-qsJW9oECut0Dc10-LtWxBH9m2uPiV3cAlndPyWnmsu/s1600/IMG_1197-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDI4jlS3yeu5Vb6YvEqnirkgjbYs82SnK_k0n0elUSHVg3rrCOyLxqJNoHMrYDEZHUZZ1Jczk7ne1QNozAzRxFEPiFmEi9TkD01-qsJW9oECut0Dc10-LtWxBH9m2uPiV3cAlndPyWnmsu/s640/IMG_1197-005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">Vikings lived in these waters</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">which are still home to porpoises, seals, and otters today</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">There is a wonderful saying in Norway</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">'There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing'</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">You can see we had fantastic weather,</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">so I must have had fantastic clothing?</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72ELTcJctOo4InJAuVzv9HMtofO1MImy10XAUeXq6DIniJkz469uWAgYMnCh9IK6WCWeUR_2hoCDJpXJmhBZ6ssLXNy9xR2D6XGAMMH_1FzJIEh_mRxEkBU-i3-qYQAWY3E2MgfKZets/s1600/IMG_1198-0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72ELTcJctOo4InJAuVzv9HMtofO1MImy10XAUeXq6DIniJkz469uWAgYMnCh9IK6WCWeUR_2hoCDJpXJmhBZ6ssLXNy9xR2D6XGAMMH_1FzJIEh_mRxEkBU-i3-qYQAWY3E2MgfKZets/s640/IMG_1198-0041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Oh my...</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbB-IxERssNTO_12UH3uODaAFXc5S11UR2lN7oExSG9a3DRnEHITLRWAyoM_C6bZV6C8R2NF-MyQonn1VwmHF-umk0p6EVqr7EtkDNTI8QmiVCgVR-GJN7mGkatgCX8Hx3MqHhh_-t6U/s1600/IMG_1208-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbB-IxERssNTO_12UH3uODaAFXc5S11UR2lN7oExSG9a3DRnEHITLRWAyoM_C6bZV6C8R2NF-MyQonn1VwmHF-umk0p6EVqr7EtkDNTI8QmiVCgVR-GJN7mGkatgCX8Hx3MqHhh_-t6U/s640/IMG_1208-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">This is the land of the midnight sun,</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">northern lights, polar bears, and folkloric trolls</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">If you seek adventure</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">go on a rat safari in an Oslo sewer(!),</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">swim with killer whales near Lofoten,</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">or dive into Saltstraumen, the world's strongest whirlpool</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Or just stick to kayaking</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUqpgMChsBQrjKqHtKjVZ0YZQ0_sFNfGtKyqp3cKFcrRVOODkKjKj7KxRwGmlrte0JYku9KVjGSmqNa7AD4IVOLWtZOydbfbwrFzOboM7TyIG2Xc2NPmDZopfk195TXchKN4FB4jIgVPF/s1600/IMG_0992-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUqpgMChsBQrjKqHtKjVZ0YZQ0_sFNfGtKyqp3cKFcrRVOODkKjKj7KxRwGmlrte0JYku9KVjGSmqNa7AD4IVOLWtZOydbfbwrFzOboM7TyIG2Xc2NPmDZopfk195TXchKN4FB4jIgVPF/s640/IMG_0992-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Camera out of window,</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">we are on the Flamsbana train to return to Bergen</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">and about to enter a tunnel</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">There are a lot of tunnels in Norway</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">Some are even undersea, connecting to islands</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wZZo2Mc4qf8GErjn-67jXgskoBlZxrRe48D4MkVMQU4cFvI40cKvYN4jEMNjF7-znO8wyV4_0TQ4VYf1O9ZaGijDL1mgKDHNdcIKOFVeEYeCuklvGcYGde0WNTdoFKbDjhnb8_1T1s8/s1600/IMG_1334-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wZZo2Mc4qf8GErjn-67jXgskoBlZxrRe48D4MkVMQU4cFvI40cKvYN4jEMNjF7-znO8wyV4_0TQ4VYf1O9ZaGijDL1mgKDHNdcIKOFVeEYeCuklvGcYGde0WNTdoFKbDjhnb8_1T1s8/s640/IMG_1334-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">Norway is the second wealthiest country per capita in Europe</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">(Luxembourg, first)</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">And there are more Norwegian descendants living in the US</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">than there are Norwegians in Norway</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">Many emigrated between 1860 - 1910</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1geoeSp7LAtd1NVBRSQ1s7NwjkJBiPKeutPXHy-ZDspv3R8WIjS9QMWMJtRlg1Bwx2k45hRs8VAihO0vUoPGcqDFhoC7GEWuzd1pCDm3Z9dcFm0YRT6ZcuAxSMOrgkJLg1_UJEEhYP7dE/s1600/IMG_1333-014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1geoeSp7LAtd1NVBRSQ1s7NwjkJBiPKeutPXHy-ZDspv3R8WIjS9QMWMJtRlg1Bwx2k45hRs8VAihO0vUoPGcqDFhoC7GEWuzd1pCDm3Z9dcFm0YRT6ZcuAxSMOrgkJLg1_UJEEhYP7dE/s640/IMG_1333-014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />Ahhh...<br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">what a wonderful way</span><br /><span style="line-height: 18px;">to end a lovely summer</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Dedicating this post to an American boy who dreams of traveling to Norway one day</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Colin, this one's for you </i> ;)</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><i><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sources: Wikipedia <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway">1</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita">2</a>, <a href="http://www.babynames.org.uk/norwegian-baby-names.htm">BabyNames</a>, <a href="http://www.norway.org/News_and_events/top-stories/Random-facts-about-Norway/">Norway</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Linking to Post Of The Month Club <a href="http://www.lifeonplanetbaby.com/2012/08/post-of-month-club-august-2012-edition.html">here</a></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Stairway To Norway

With a few weeks before school started I decided to take the kids somewhere while my husband stayed behind to work Where could I travel safe...

Read more »