2 coffees, 2 countries, 2 climbs

What a day. Once again, I'm sat on the cafe's porch come balcony. The sky is clear again and the stars are coming out, which given the overcast forecast I'm especially grateful for. Today has been rediculously beautiful. We decided to cross the boarder into Sweden for a few degrees cooler, no rain, and the extravagance of it.

We found some good routes and after a coffee in the glorious snowy sunshine at a mountain lodge we headed back to our favorite route. After that we felt pretty pleased and the weather became so much better than the forecast. On our way home we went to a bridge to get the view of the sinking sun over all the white landscape. From there we spotted some amazing icelines dropping into the fjord. we found a little road that led round the opposite side of the fjord. I even found a man who seemed genuinely sad that he couldn't lend me one of his boats to access the routes (they were in some far off place). we drove on and when I'd found a place to turn so that we could finally head home, there was a beautious flow of ice overlooking the fjord. Poor Jules hadn't a chance. He was ready for home, half starved just about. But I had my crampons on and wasn't about to leave. The route was quick and perfect for an evening jaunt.

Home time (Jules has now been fed and watered. None were harmed during the making of our perfect day).

Mmmm, lovely, big coffee outside in the sunshione in a little Mountain Lodge.

 Sveden does lichen.

Sveden does beautiuful, vast, open landscape, with lots of people out enjoying it - snow mobiles, skis, running, pushing pram, ice fishing. I've not seen a petrol station stocking such a great range of fishing stuff, and furs; but the picamix looks similar.

Very contrasting place to our experiences so far on this trip. Apart from the ice, which is quite similar, maybe a bit mellower. Quite a long walk up - long in minutes rather than metres. As soon as we got out the trees things improved. All our toys remained in our prams, surprisingly.

Jules arriving at the belay.

 The fun we had.

Jules calling the Mrs after our gem of a climb.

Hop and a skip down the hill. 90 minutes up, 15 down.

 X marks the spot. Asked a lady in the most stunning home I might have ever seen if she spoke English. I was picturing myself rowing across the fjord in the dawn light, returning after happy ascents to tea on the jetty. She looked like she would shoot me given a moment longer. Fortunately her cannine sidekick is a lab. despite my gripping fear, jules manfully patted the dog.

 More than deserving of a lift home, poor fella.

 O yeah, road tripping.

 And another cheesey mug shot.

Home sweet home.