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We awoke to a gloriously sunny morning although the temperature was still on 7 degrees. We decided to walk over the mountain to Kvalviks Beach from Fredvang. Located in an isolated bay on the northern side of Moskenesoy and only reached by foot, Kvalvika feels as though it could be at the edge of the world. We were told by a couple of local people that it was an easy walk and would take about an hour one-way. We parked the car and, set off with our lunch and camera. The path began with some quite steep stone steps and continued through some very boggy terrain which almost made us want to give up before we'd even started. Beyond this it became drier and we clambered over rocks and headed for the central pass. As we got higher, the boggy conditions returned but at least someone had kindly placed planks over the worse bits to make life a little easier. The view out over the fjord to the snowy mountains beyond was truly spectacular as we climbed higher and steeper. The path seemed to be fairly well defined until we reached the summit and started out descent towards the beach. It appeared that you just had to pick your way over the rocks and hope for the best. This must be the hardest thing I have ever attempted in my entire life and I wasn't entirely sure I would make it back. Then the beach came into sight and it was breathtaking. It isn't any easier when you can see the vast distance you have yet to cover to get down there, whilst all the time in the back of your mind is the thought of having to turn around and do it all again. Going back was even harder, I suppose because of tired legs but also having to climb almost vertically back over the rocks. The frustrating thing was that a few families with young mountain goats for children, seemed to skip and jump effortlessly while I was almost on hands and knees! When we got back to the car, with sore, soaking-wet feet, we sat on a rock and ate our lunch that Steve had stoically carried all the way. Since then I have shivered at the flashbacks of having been over-adventurous and over estimating my powers as a rock climber. If you are thinking of completing this walk, the rewards are great but don't be fooled into thinking that it's going to be easy. After a shower and change of clothes back at the rorbuer, we were treated to a surprise visit from the ice-cream man. Well, it would be rude not to. We rewarded ourselves with a lovely dinner at Ramberg (yes, we actually found a restaurant!) after a brief visit to Nusfjord.
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