"Poorly Planned... Badly Executed"

Wednesday, 30 July 2008

Raundalselvi - Lower Canyon

The put in drop... what a way to start a run!

More of the Voss area goods... the Lower Canyon of the Raundalselvi which is probably my favorite run of the area (of those I have paddled so far that is). Then again it is hard a choice because all the runs are such high quality. The wonderful sunny hot day made for good picture taking too, a bonus to any good days boating that should be remembered. And too thoes of you enjoying the winter snow back home... well to be honst I am jelous but only a little bit because of rivers like the Raundalselvi and thirty plus degree days ;-)

Mark enjoying the entrance to a great section

Mickel playing games with holes... luck for him he was on the winning side

Mickel getting his boof on

Hendri same

More sweet drops... on this guy I though I would so a little dance with the left wall, not so graceful though I might add. Here Mickel makes it look far better than I did.

Greg paddled... um a drop while Hendri looks on... come to think of it I don't know the names on any of the rapids on this section. Maybe there aren't any?!?

Mickel, same rapid different line

Hendri looking for the melt down

Tuesday, 29 July 2008

The Lower Myrdalselvi a Little Voss Gem

Greg on the first drop of Karma Cow Falls

Well, I'm back on the water again in Norway in one of my favourite places - Voss. Voss just seems to have it all, great rivers, awesome people to hangout with, and even great weather (well don't count on it but it has been 30+ everyday I've been in town). Essentially no kayaking trip to Norway is complete without a trip to Voss and these pictures should be a good indication why. They are all from the Lower Myrdalselvi at a wonderfully friendly flow where there is enough water that it's not scrappy but everything goes and nothing is too scary. Perfect


Hendri on the second slide of Karma Cow Falls

Greg on the same drop

Hendri hand paddling the falls after the portage... oh yeah there is one portage, a 100 foot waterfall which lands on rock. Apparently the one only gets paddled on Sundays, day of the Gods... or so Greg and Hendri would have me believe.

Hendri sticking witht the hand paddles at the weir drop

The grand finale, a scary looking drop that you 'just float down the middle'

Greg on the same drop

Saturday, 19 July 2008

Endelig tilbake i landet med brun ost

Sit down and relax... there is no need to rush in Norway

Well I have finally made my way back to Norway for some boating after far to long away from the place. The finer details of said boating are yet to be arranged but with rivers everywhere and lots of other kayakers about that shouldn't be too much of a problem. For the moment I am rather enjoying a relaxing time after five weeks of parting (I mean working) in Poland. Anyhow for your enjoyment I have some photos that I snapped that other day in Aker Brygge by the waterfront in down town Oslo. The weather in this part of the world has a habbit of continously changing and the day I took these photos on was no exception. The are shown here in the order they were shot in so you can see how different the sky is in each shot! Well enjoy... kayaking action to come shortly. Har det bra

Protecting the city from attack... by whom I wonder?!?

Some old buildings near the city center

There are lots of sculptures and statues all over Oslo... I'm not sure why they chose a bull for the waterfront though?!?

People relaxing at the waters edge

The weather made for some really nice lighting conditions. Here the buildings are lit up with a dark background sky. This is probably me favorite lighting conditions to take photos in.

Don't like the threatening looking sky... no problem, just turn around!!

More of the same amazing lighting. I love the way the tree almost appears to glow.

The lighting conditions are not only perfect for photo taking but also for sitting down and enjoying the afternoon sun

One of the many parks and fountains which are found all over the city. It really does make for an enjoyable place to be.

A close up of the sculpture at the base of the fountain

If I wasn't being so lazy I would probably darken the sky to the left of the statue to give a greater contrasting effect... but hey this is Norway and you are allow to be lazy here ;-)

This one is a personal favorite but I think you need to see the full sized original to full appreciate the subtle depth of field effect here. Just enough to make the statue standout without overly blurring the background - camera settings were ISO 200, 28mm, f 7.1, 1/400 sec.

Another favorite, in this case the composition of the photo worked out really well.

I had to wait a while for this courtyard to be clear of people, well almost clear (this was the best I managed). I feel the photo looks far better without people.

I couldn't believe my luck when I came across this boat lit up the way is was. This photo has minimal post editing... this is how it look as I took the photo. Actually none of these photos have had any post editing that changes the look/feel of the original shot... it was just one of those days when the light was kind.

Believe it or not this is actually half of a round-a-bout and probably the coolest I have ever seen! You can see the marks on the coble stones where the cars have been driving. Also note that I am standing in the middle of the road to take the picture. Luckly the cars in Norway stop for podestriens.