Our next stop after Bergen was Flam, well known for its tourist train, the Flamsbana. The train journey is part of a very popular tourist activity allowing visitors to see Norwegian mountains, fjords and waterfalls in one tour.

Flam is set in a beautiful spot at the head of the Aurlandsfjord with towering peaks all around it. We were staying in a hostel with rooms in a series of houses on farmland. We had a couple of large rooms in a house with great views front and back. The kitchen was in the next house so very quiet where we were. All we could hear was the waterfall and every now and then the whistle of the train.
 
 
 
On the way here from Bergen we were amazed at just how lovely the scenery is. We have travelled along the shores, or wound our way along the mountain tops of quite a number of fjords now, and each one has a beauty of its own. Some have very still water, and so fantastic reflections. Some have very rocky shores, and so look rather barren, while others are clad in thick forest. Sometimes the forest is fir, other times it is birch. There are attractive houses and boat sheds, lovely gardens, and everywhere wildflowers. 

We always manage to find a picturesque lunch spot and drink in the view. This day we had especially nice bread. Stopped at a lookout and there was a bakery. Very convenient, and so they were doing good business.

Away from the harbour in Flam is old Flam village, and there a brown wooden church (from 1670) set on the waters edge. The church is currently closed to visitors, as it is undergoing renovation due to flood damage. Looking in the window we could see that inside has no floorboards and is basically bare. Checking what this was about, I discovered that in October 2014 there was serious flooding in this area after heavy rain. 200 people had to be evacuated and houses were damaged. That explained to us why the streams in this area look so raw and rocky.

The church in Aurland is even older. I loved this simple, very thick walled white church which as its one concession to ornamentation had just slivers of stained glass windows. Perfect.
 
The next day, rather than take the train trip we decided to take a drive through Aurlandsdalen, a steep sided glacially formed valley that has been historically an important trade route. Absolutely beautiful drive. Narrow road, lots of tunnels and magnificent views. Well worth the time.