The tale of the Handy Heffalumps (and a little bit of Norway)

I have some Handy Heffalumps given to me in the dim distant past by a friend. We knew each other for many years as friends and work colleagues; at one stage she was also my very kind boss but, as often happens, post retirement we have lost touch. Life sometimes intervenes. The Heffalumps usually live in my handbag, and are taken out to carry bits of shopping all over my home town. At every use I send a "thank you Rhona" to her, wherever she is, and hope life is being kind to her. They are one of those miraculous breed of fold out shopping bags which, by some Zen principle of origami, can be persuaded to go neatly back into their inbuilt carry pouch, if you are especially patient! 

 

They haven't travelled abroad before though, until now, when they went to explore Norway, in an airplane across the sea

Along the way the Heffalumps saw many wonders, tucked away in my bag

Edvard Grieg's house nestled in the woods above the water

His little composing hut, sheltered down on the shoreline

The eerily wonderful Fantoft Stave Church, again, tucked away in the woods

The delights of Bergen looking Christmassy

It was here we boarded our cruise ship to go hopping up the coast. On the way we saw Art Nouveau Alesund

But, on one fateful shore trip, the Heffalumps were dropped, position unknown, complete with pair of cleats they were carrying!

The owner's bag went on past more wonderful sights in Trondheim: the glorious cathedral (where cleats might have been very useful in all that ice)

Many strange bits of delightful street art or memorial 

until the owner suddenly stopped, here, realising the Handy Heffalumps were gone!  

Powerhouse Brattørkaia – Snøhetta

There was some considerable sadness for such a mundane thing, but they had been my companion, memento of my friend, for many years.

The shining gods of the eco powerhouse must have been smiling on me though, along with some kind fellow cruiser, who retrieved that nylon bag, bringing it back to the ship. The following day I and my Heffalumps (and cleats) were happily reunited in the lost property section of our Hurtigruten ship. I will never know who rescued them, and they will never know the impact of their kindness. So thank you, whoever you were, for returning a nylon shopper (plus all essential pair of cleats) to MS Polarlys in early December. Your kindness enabled the Heffalumps to see more delights, including

A snow hotel with huskies

wonderfully Jule festive looking ports

The crossing the circle ceremony onboard; occasion of much jolliness and laughter at others' discomfort. Feel free to speculate as to the contents of the icy silver bucket! A ladle was involved.

The rather magical Arctic Cathedral in Tromso

Glorious scenery

Days where sunrise and sunset are all the daylight you get, while the sun hides below the horizon. 

More Christmas cheer

And many more marvels besides. The Heffalumps may have been deployed on several occasions to carry wool, or fabrics, or other lovely things back to the ship. 

And the question you always get asked, "Did you see them?"

I am thrilled beyond measure to say I did.

I hope you have all had a very merry Christmas, Solstice, Yule or whatever other way you celebrate the turning of the year.

Winter visitors

 As said before, it has been chilly in the south recently

With the bird bath often frozen, local birds have been making use of the rill, waterfall, cascade, whatever we call the mechanism for delivering moving water into the pond below. I was amusing myself by watching one of the very fat wood pigeons trying to give himself a bath with not enough depth to do so. He flew off and I was just about to carry on with morning tasks when at least three of these little delights arrived.

I wouldn't have recognised them but for a recent message from my good friend Steph who also had some in her garden. They are redwings, a thrush relative who visits the UK over winter. I was delighted to see their pleasure in finding some running water to drink, and obviously at least one of them is stil begging for food from mum, so must be from this year's brood. 

We have plenty of holly and yew berries for them to feed on in the garden, so hopefully I will be seeing them again.

Aren't they a delight?

winter arrived

After weeks and weeks of weather so mild that nature was beginning to think spring was imminent  

the temperature plummeted. Recent mornings have been scattered with frost, illuminated by blue skies or draped in mist. We have had to prise ice from the bird bath and refill with wet water, much to the delight of the starling squadrons. 

Leaves and late flowers have looked magical, though the outside tap has turned into an unregulated fountain in need of repair. 

My seafront walk yesterday evening suggested that weather was on its way,

 but very slowly, the air was so still

This morning there were still billowing clouds hovering over the sea

but the day was quiet and rather soggy. Then temperatures began to drop again, and snow arrived with some enthusiasm.

I wonder if your world is white as well?