News from Home

Some pictures from Pearland of recent note:

Christian pre-graduation picture.

Christian with his teacher this year, Ms. Maria

Teddy just returning from the groomer where they sheared off tons of hair and gave him a good bath.  He's ready for summer now.

Hitchin' A Ride

Yet another update to the swans.

If you can expand and get a close in on the picture look closely at the back of bigger swan.

Swan Update

Remember the swan nest I'd pictured a few weeks ago.  Closely guarded by ma and pa.  Five eggs.  Walked by the other day and guess what?  Seems all five babies are out and doing just fine:

If you look close I think there are three of the babies in the nest.

Later on the other parent and other two siblings arrived and they went exploring.  I have a movie also but having trouble uploading it. Those parents can dive down deep in water for food.  I don't think any of the other wildlife around here wants to mess with ma and pa.  Glad to see they're doing well.

Hike to Pulpit Rock

One of the most popular things to do in Norway (#10 according to Lonely Planet) is to see Pulpit Rock.  Can be done by cruise (see my Lysefjord cruise post below) or by hike. The hike is considerably more difficult.  About 2.5 miles each way up mostly narrow, steep and rocky terrain not to mention many other hikers.  So on Saturday May 26, on a clear, warm day I set off on the hike. Others had told me not to visit if bad weather due to rain and clouds at top when you get to top so pictures are worthless.  I think I nailed it today. 

This rock is about 2,000 feet high with straight drop to the fjord below.  Tradition to sit or stand on edge and no railing has ever been installed. No accidental deaths on records though some suicides.

View behind others sitting on edge.  I saw no enjoyment of sitting on the side myself.

Another view from the top of the rock.  It is predicted that someday this rock will detach and fall into the fjord (numerous cracks are visible just before reaching the summit and you even step over some of them).  Legend has that it will fall when seven brothers marry seven sisters on the top.

Self-photo at top near the ledge though you can't even tell. Adding to scariness was fair amount of wind blowing out over the ledge. Sun was very powerful this day and heat was bad for Norway. But not a cloud in the sky, a true rarity.

View looking the other direction.  Two cruise ships on the Lysefjord.

Another view of the ledge.  People sitting/posing with legs overhanging.

Near the top were some swimming holes which I'm certain are unswimmable probably 300 days a year. But today was the exception.  Almost got in myself if I didn't have a bus and ferry to catch to get back to Stavanger. 

Flying back Friday

Via Amsterdam I'm back in Houston around 2pm CST Friday. At least for a week.

Oaks winner:  On Fire Baby

Derby order of finish:
Win:        Union Rags
Place:      Creative Cause
Show:      Daddy Long Legs

It's 5 o'clock Somewhere

It was over 60 and sunny in southwest Norway today. And it was a holiday, so there was quite a bit of activity.  Big cruiseship came in - mostly of British retirees - er, I mean "pensioners", flooded the town most of the day though many shops were closed as it is Norway's Labor Day.

I've realized there are Parrotheads all over the world (those are Jimmy Buffett fans for the uninitiated).  There's some active bar on the waterfront I pass most days and they're always blaring his happy hour/weekend anthem "It's 5 o'clock Somewhere". 

Swan Nest Nearby

There are two swans watching over three eggs in a large nest they've made in the lake by my flat.  I pass by them each day and they're never more than a couple feet from the eggs and usually one of them is laying on them. I caught them while they were just out of the nest.