Not Pushing Our Luck

With two days to go there's an appeal of symmetry to finish off our journey heading to Vuomahytta today, then onto Gaska or Altevass tomorrow, exiting at Innset, but those are big days, with no room for anything going wrong, so prudence says a rest day today and head off down Dividalen tomorrow.

We spend the day resting, eating and further poetic compositions and in the evening we have a reading. I liked Kathy's offering that summarised our journey through the huts and have reproduced it below.

Today's photo is of Muikkukukko, a Finnish bread filled with smoked fish. At least that's what we thought when we ate the first loaf a few days ago, however closer scrutiny of the ingredients shows 15% pork meat. Hey-ho apologies to the veggie, but all the more for the rest of us.

Hut to Hut

Somashytta in Norway, we passed you right by -
Skied on into the sunset wondering why
The folk on their scooters who roar up to your doors
Leave rubbish, dead meat and dirt on your floors

Kobmajoka lies 'cross the border in the land of the Finn
In it's welcome for travellers over Somashytta wins
Because though basic it offered us shelter and heat
And we all fitted in like sardines, nice and neat

Our next hut was Halti, with parts you can book
It's bigger and colder but much better for the cook
With mattresses beneath you to help you sleep sound
Rather than rest your old bones on the hard wooden ground

Meekonjarvi lies in a valley that's fair
With a big picture window from which you can stare
But this is Finland and you need to remember
That a knife fork and spoon must be carried by each member

Kuonjar and Saari, our stay was just short,
Into winds fierce and cold the party had fought
And we stopped only for food and an inspection of hands
Sharing brief shelter with folk from far northern land

After Kilpis comes Gappo, which dismissed all our cares
In the realisation that the huts come in pairs
With DNT standards it's a joy to behold
Lots of kitchen utensils and treasures untold

Rostadalen is truly a palace of a place
A hytta to reside in in comfort and grace
In a beautiful setting with reindeer nearby,
We're tempted to stay here but onwards must fly

Daerta, arriving in tempest and storm
We rest the next day there in comfort and warmth,
While outside the window blow the snows like the tide
Of an ocean that covers the whole mountainside

Dividal arrival is through deep snowy woods,
With powder that ends up in jackets and hoods
The journey's been hard won and not without danger
So we must leave other huts as unvisited strangers

Off the map, back down the valley at first light tomorrow
With a sense of achievement and a slight tinge of sorrow,
With thanks to the people whose hard work and care
Give us these places to cherish and share

Kathy

Rancidand's Version