Farm Life - a Norwegian experience

by Roger Hill

We have been lucky to spend time in Norway - a country I have not visited since school. We made many friends on route including a lovely couple from South Molton. The scenery was breathtaking with fiords, snowy mountains, glaciers, tree covered slopes and lots of waterfalls.

It did not leave much room for agriculture. Every patch was utilised, even if it only yielded a couple of bales of silage. I’m not sure how the farmers find white covered bales during the winter snowfall though! There was very little stock out grazing, with the grass cut and delivered to them indoors.

An abundance of fruit trees, especially apples in neat, well kept rows crowded the northern slopes of fiords facing south to catch the sun. There were a few small fields of barley and oats.

Norway has a population of five million but is only 50% self sufficient in food. Where they do excel is with green energy with most coming from hydro electric power. Even the ferries crossing the fiords are electric.

Overall a very neat, clean and tidy country with welcoming people, proud of their heritage, who are investing and ensuring a quality lifestyle for future generations.

‘Til next time, Roger #TuppertheTractor (website: quoit-at-cross.co.uk)