Friday September 9th, Trondheim to “Just out of Halsa”!

The old buildings in Trondheim

Norwegian weather is just so changeable, after such a beautiful day yesterday, woke to grey sky and a few spits. The forecast predicted heavy rain from midday, so we set off after breakfast with our raincoats and started walking. It was great that we were so close to town, about 15 minutes walk got us to the centre square. Found the Info centre and with a town map we meandered around. Crossed the old town bridge and wandered through the “old town” where the streets are lined with old, colourful houses and lots of interesting shops and café’s. Sat outside a quaint place and had a really good coffee and a brioche and people watched. The old wharf buildings lining the river have been restored in a way they looked in the 1700’s. A thoroughly enjoyable few hours.

Then continued our walk past the Nidaros Catherdral, a pretty impressive building. Had read about the Museum of Decorative Arts featuring not only textiles, but ceramics and furniture, and with a bit of rain coming down seemed like a good place to visit. Kristin, who was at the front desk was a real delight, she had been to NZ on a scholarship so we had a great chat. But she also told us the background to the current exhibition of the work of Hannah Ryggen. She was a self taught textile artist working with a floor loom built by her husband. They lived on a farm on a Norwegian Fjord where she dyed her yarn with local plants. Her first works were in the 1930’s and they have a strong political theme. The works are huge and I found them very special. No photos of course but do google her background and her work.

We walked out of the museum to pouring rain, donned our coats and found a really nice place in the town square for a late lunch and a glass of vino…a real treat.  Good food and so nice to sit inside and watch the rain pour down. And it was still pouring down as we put on our raincoats and took the 15 minute walk back to Ruakiwi. We felt really bedraggled, but a change of jeans and dry shoes sorted that out.

We sat down at the table with the map and decided that we would head back to the coast and continue on down through the fjords. We seem to never tire of the scenery and while we are here and the weather is still reasonably mild we are going to make the most of it. So it was off again before the rush hour traffic and headed West, retracing some of yesterday’s route and then continuing on E39 through the mountains and out to the coast. Found a good large carpark/rest area off the road with a view of the fjord and the mountains across the valley. And ..the rain has stopped but it is rather grey.

Used my little Sony in town today, so good except a bit hard to get a good wide angle shots of big buildings!

Intrigued with this pizza truck, glass sides, and the wood for the fire.
Noticed he had closed down when the rain came!

Ooops, too many pastries

In the window of this design store, noticed a kiwi!

Loved the temporary facade

HAHA

A very poor excuse of a photo of this magnificent building..sorry.

Perfect to go with lunch on a wet day.

Wet,wet,wet!

..and a bit of play at the end of the day, odd yellow leaves, autumn is not far away.