Well, all you FBookers know we made it. And that we suffered after. So here is the step-by-step, no - not quite that bad. 

I had seen pictures of people on Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). Looked amazing. The rock is an overhanging platform that drops nearly 600m to Lysefjord. Had checked out how to get there but wasn't sure if we were up to it. Read various articles saying it was 10 or 12 or 7 km and wondered how long it really was and how difficult.

So we decided to just do it. 

We set off at 8am and caught the ferry from Stavanger to Tau - about 30 mins. Then drove to the car park at Preikestolen. Had a coffee to strengthen resolve and set off. 
 
 
 
Well in no time it was seriously uphill. Could not believe, while gasping for air, that we had travelled 500m of the 3.8 km! And that's the way it is. Some easy parts on flat rocks or boardwalks, and then up or down steeply on large and small rocks. Difficult to negotiate, and I made a promise to me to work on my balance when I get home. 3.8 km does not seem very long, but on those rocks it was a challenge - well, for me, anyway.

The scenery was magnificent. Utterly so. It is so green, there are gorgeous trees, lush ferns, velvety mosses and still, reflecting pools. And of course mountains and rocks in the distance. 

A few times I thought we were there, but we weren't. Finally we were there, and joined the crowds on the rock. It was like a party. Everyone taking photos, doing all sorts of stances near the edge (not us) and then sitting down to eat their lunch. 

Of course then we had to go back down. More challenging in some ways. Clouds had been dark, and it turned very cool, and for the first time this trip I put on gloves. For 20 minutes or so anyway, and then it was warm again.
 
  
 
The walk was totally worth it, as the views were magnificent. I particularly liked the variety of plant life. Sometimes when we stopped (often) it was quiet and we could hear just a trickle of water. Other times I wondered if some people ever stop talking. Meeting the challenge was of course rewarding as well. 

We took another road home, and a different ferry. As it was after 6pm when we got back to Stavanger we ate out (!!) at a suburban Indian place. Very tasty too. (First meal out in Norway).

We arrived home with very sore legs. Three flights of stairs were a challenge, and we decided not to head downstairs for the free waffles that night.  

Went to bed very satisfied.