“We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.” ― Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods
In the beginning, we had planned to work a month as wwoofers in the farm of a 70 years old couple, in small hamlet close to Oslo. Difference of opinions and generational conflict, we had stayed one week. After a few talks, some trees planted, a lawn-mower broken and window-panes well cleaned, we had decided to escape for the fjords of Sognfjord. This is the summary of three days of our one month trip, in a place where time seemed to pass differently.
27/08/2014 : The escape and the climb
A wobbly tent, some old blankets and two full bagpacks – we are in the bus, contemplating the epic landscapes and the deserted roads.
Håvard, a sporty-discreet guy met on the holy Couchsurfing, guides us through the extreme ascent of the Mørkridsdalen valley, on the way to Osen where he owns a small family cabin.
An hour and a half later, Håvard has left, we are alone on this heavenly plain, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, lakes and cabins each one more beautiful than the last.
28/08/2014 : The cabin
We wake up at dawn with a divine light, we walk around the lake, sunbathe, write, explore the plains and the empty cabins. We enjoy every moments with passion, almost disconcerted by this luck we have. It feels like we’ve been waiting for this our whole life.
29/08/2014 : The lake
Besides basking in the sweet landscape, the goal of our day is to swim in the lake. The eternal snows are not far and we have to turn on the wood-burner at night, therefore we know it is not gonna be an easy challenge. Camille stands in the water for sixty seconds, Lia fifteen.
30/08/2014 : Back to civilisation
We don’t want to think about it but today we have to get back to Skjolden and meet Håvard again to give him back the key of the cabin. We make the most of our day, enjoying the last sunrays of a sky that’s getting grey. It looks like an attempt to comfort us for leaving.
Down the mountain, we don’t find the words to thank Håvard and he doesn’t have much time to talk.
Takk for hytta, Håvard! (Thanks for the cabin, Håvard!)
Photography and words by Lia & Camille
w. collectifpaien.com
Sunday Mornings at the River 