New surroundings, new seasons

I moved apartment this weekend, hopefully for the last time in a while. It's been a crazy summer, moving home 3 times in as many months. Still, one big plus of my latest move is that I am closer to the mountains again, very close.

Despite not making it to Finland as planned this week (it's a long story) I was determined to get outside for some fresh air. Even that thick head feeling of an on-coming cold didn't deter me although I carried nothing more than my camera and planned nothing more than a stroll around my new surroundings to get my bearings.

3 mins from my new home is the blunt end of Svartediket, one of the reservoirs that supplies Bergen with water and electricity. After all the recent rainfall there was a curtain of excess flowing over one of the spillways. Around the corner the path switches from tarmac to gravel and as I quickly scanned the horizon something caught my eye. Is that snow?! It was. Just a dusting, but definitely snow.

The path weaves it's way around the reservoir, always under the scrutiny of lights that will allow for winter evening running and, if snow arrives in the city like last year, post-work skiing sessions. The only thing that detracts from the scene is the criss-cross of power cables that lace the slender reservoir together.

Autumnal colours abounded. Rust-red berries amid the green, yellow and auburn of the surrounding foliage. Periodically the path split and on a whim I left the main gravel drag and sloped off up a forested hillside. The path soon petered out into a washed out sluice and sure footing was in short supply. Whenever the path levelled out it instantly turned into ankle deep slush, threatening to swamp my mids.

I did consider heading further up one of the narrow valleys to the snow far above but my cold, common sense and lack of suitable clothing turned me back at a sensible decision point. I stopped and ate a banana, admiring the cirque of rock around me while gushing water echoed off the granite walls.

The sun started to slip away and cold caressed me gently, reminding me that I was not equipped to be out here long today. Thankfully the wind was light and the nudge home was friendly. I turned back towards the city and entered the muffled forest.

Before long I was back on the main path and passing people enjoying their post-work exercise. I was thankful to have gotten out today, to explore my new back-yard, even if I wasn't feeling 100%. New adventures, a new season and a winter of outdoor fun to look forward too.