Friday June 6th

It was lovely to wake up today to the view of the mountains and the clear waters of the fiord, but it was not long before I could hear the drone of the engines of today’s cruise ship with its thousands of visitors.  No sooner had the ship docked the crew had an emergency drill with alarms going off, and when that was over they proceeded to carry out maintenance work on the ship with power drills, sanders, etc.  So much for a peaceful environment! 

Luckily we had arranged a trip out of the village to Otternes, a farm village which has been continually occupied and farmed in the traditional manner for over 400 years.  The farm has a view to die for, perched on the mountains overlooking the fiord and the village of Flam. From here, it was even difficult for the large cruise ship to spoil the view.

Originally the village consisted of the homes and barns belonging to 4 families each with a farm that had some land in the immediate vicinity of the village and several summer farms up in the mountains to which the animals (originally cows, but later goats and sheep) were moved in the warmer months as the snow receded.  The farm is now run by a trust and is recognised as an important part of Norwegian heritage.  There are only 4 such villages still remaining in Norway.  

I made some new friends while I was there.

After touring the farm we were treated to sour cream porridge (not breakfast food but a special food served at celebrations and delicious), brown cheese made on the farm, salami from sheep from a neighbouring farm and dried and salted lamb, grown and cured on the farm, and delicious.

The day was rounded off by a visit to Aegir Brewery - a micro brewery built in Viking style and located next to our hotel - to taste their beers before dinner.  

They made a range of different beers

And the brewery was furnished with hand crafted timber furniture

And watched over by a fierce Viking.

The ship has left and peace and quiet has returned to the village - until tomorrow!