Autumn beating all records

Tonight, after a prolonged autumn, Eiker has finally been covered by 10 cm light and fluffy snow. Norwegian autumn seems to beat all records year after year. On November 30th last year, the Eiker area measured a freezing 22.2 blue degrees, coldest in Norway. Last Wednesday (November 30th), it was almost 30 degrees warmer!! This November has been the warmest November in over a hundred years. So, back to the snow. Although I love the fact that snow has arrived, just in time for my Christmas holiday, I have not yet been outside my warm and cosy flat to taste the snowflakes and take a photo. Hence, today's photo is taken last winter, during one of my many train rides home. The scenery is Daler and Ytterkollen, a small farmer area all the way east of Nedre Eiker. Knabben can been seen on the little mountain in the background. And to refresh your memory, this is the view from Knabben

Dying

Who knew that dying could be so colourful and beautiful? Okay, maybe dying is the wrong word to use here, as the trees turning yellow, red and orange is their way of surviving the cold season. Today's photo is taken a few weeks back. All leaves have fallen off by now. The trees are ready for winter. Are you?

Haugen på Skramnes

Behind this hill lies the farm Skramnes. I have briefly mentioned Skramnes in a couple of my posts before (check out: The chestnut tree and Sweet beeznes). Since then I have learned that the hill on the photo, Skramneshaugen, is an ancient burial mound from the Iron Age and that the farm Skramnes is one of the oldest settlements here in Eiker. I was quite intrigued when I heard this, as I have spent many nights after slumber parties in my childhood at this farm, not being able to sleep. My friend and I used to fantasize that there were ghosts in the attic, and that it was their chains we heard.. After all, maybe we were right?

Parkering forbudt

Every Sunday, a group of old ladies meet at "Fellesen," a type of social gathering in the condominium in Solbergelva, where they live. For a few hours every week, they chat, drink coffee and eat home made cakes. Maybe someone knits, whilst others might talk about their grand children, their illnesses or how the world (read: youth and politicians) used to be in the old times. Last Sunday, I watched as they arrived in their electric cars or behind their rollators. Their parking, right in front of the "parkering forbudt" (no parking) sign on the wall made me chuckle, and the knowledge that their evening wouldn't be identical with all the other days in the week made me smile.

Monday

Monday! For most people it means back to work, back to uni. A whole new week of commuting... Except for those lucky people who are on autumn break this week. What would I do if I were on autumn break? Shopping, spa and art in Prague sounds good!

It's my birthday

and I'll cry if I want to! Although I have reached the point (or age) where I keep forgetting how old I am, getting older is not that bad.. Today's photo is taken a while back, on 17th of May. I had planned to post it on an official flag flying day, such as Pentecost or our Crown Princess 38th birthday in August, but kept forgetting it. But today is also a perfect occasion, on my something-something birthday ;-)

Mystery Object

Yess! With less than 10 minutes left of October 1st and theme day, I made it just in time! This photo reminds me of those pictures where you have to squint or be cross-eyed to be able to make out the image. Can you se what my mystery object is? Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

I thought it was autumn now...

The last week we have had surprisingly good weather. According to meteorologists, there were 76 locations in Norway yesterday that measured above 20 degrees. A small village, a few hours away from Eiker measured 26 degrees, the warmest in Norway. I spent the beautiful day inside, at uni, but managed to see the sun go down behind Hagatjern, a water in the forest very popular for swimming and sunbathing in the summer. The weather is expected to be just as nice and warm the next few days. I know I'll be enjoying this weekend, and I hope you will too!

View from Knabben

Here is the view from Knabben. The view is towards Drammen, a town nearby. The municipal border between Drammen and Nedre Eiker goes approximately across and/or around the little island. What you see of Nedre Eiker is Solbergelva on the left (north) side of the river, and Ytterkollen on the right (south). For those of you who speak norwegian, check out this inspiring article I found in our local newspaper: Ingen dag uten Knabben-tur.

Nye Veiavangen

Two weeks ago, the new wing of Veiavangen Ungdomsskole was officially opened. Last October I posted a photo of the construction site, where I wrote that it was going to be a new gymnasium. As you might see, I was wrong. The new wing includes classrooms, group rooms and common areas. The new gymnasium will be built in stage two of the high school's development.

Rose Hip

My mother's rose bush with beautiful orange-red hips. What to do with them? Make herbal tea? Marmalade? When I was young I used to have rose hip soup with oatmeal in it for supper. And once, I was a very naughty girl, rubbing the inside of the rose hip inside my little brother's clothes making him itch so bad.. Forget the herbal tea, I know what I'll be doing with these rose hips!!

Knabben

I'm gonna give you a tip to a "mountain peak tour" in Nedre Eiker: Knabben, a 30-40 minute walk from Solbergelva, up the steep path to the vantage point Knabben. The walk has a rise of about 300 metres and the views are stunning! I will post a photo of the view another day, very soon!

Flomvarsel

Rain rain and rain. Different from almost all of the 5 million citizens of Norway, I'm not complaining. I like rain, and I welcome the weather that we have! Now it has been issued flood warnings (for the I-don't-know-how-many time this summer), and already Eiker and the surrouding areas are the fifth wettest place in Norway. Today's picture is of Veiabekken, a small stream in the centre of Mjøndalen. The picture was taken at a different time, when it also had rained loads. Yet, the stream is not nearly as large and flooded as I know it can be..

Getting colder

The approach of autumn, air is getting colder. With warmer water than air, mornings are misty. Today's photo is taken close to Steindammen, a little water in the forest of Krokstadelva.

Squash?

Along the road over "bygda," the area between Nedre and Øvre Eiker where many farms are situated, I spotted a field full of plants with yellow flowers and something small, round and green growing underneath it. Is it a squash? I'm only used to those looking like cucumbers. All this vegetable talk and thinking makes me hungry. Can't wait until the pumpkins are ripe, I'm gonna make pumpkin and orange soup!

Election day

Today I have voted in the municipal election. We'll se tomorrow what the result will be. Will we get a new mayor or will the one we have had the last four years sit for another period? Very exciting!

Eiker

Both Nedre and Øvre Eiker has a picture of oak leaves in their municipal coat of arms. There are not plenty of oak trees in this area, so I have wondered why the coat of arms look like they do. After some research on the Internet, I am not much wiser. The origin of the name Eiker is apparently unsure, and despite of the presence of oak leaves in the coat of arms, the name can have originated from an old variation of the word "åker" (field). Here's a closeup of an oak tree growing in Nedre Eiker!

Love?

I think it is (for me at least)... Just a shame this is the neighbour's cat... Click here for another photo of Minus

Granitt

Before I continue where I left off last time, I need to apologize for not posting pictures on my blog, daily, as the name suggests that I should do. I'm a very busy girl!! Today's picture is a close-up of the dam between Nerdammen and Mellomdammen The original peat dam was replaced with a granite dam in the early 1900's so there would be a more secure supply of power to Solberg Spinneri.

Nerdammen

A picture of the dam parting Nerdammen and Mellomdammen, taken last night. Nerdammen and Mellomdammen are two waters in the forest of Solbergelva, 435 meters above sea level. The two waters were dammed-up in the early 1700's to be part of the power station at Solberg Spinderi.

Gi oss panten!

There are many ways to make money. To collect and recycle empty bottles and cans is one way, and Nedre Eiker Red Cross has set up a small container outside their premises for people to give us their bottles and cans. Last week, two volunteers and myself spent two hours emptying the container and recycling the content. Money earned for the Red Cross: 1500 NOK (272 USD or €192).

Fragaria Vesca

Picking fragaria vesca, markjordbær or wild strawberries and putting them on a straw brings back many summer memories from my childhood and puts a smile on my face!

Helt på bærtur

In Norwegian we have the phrase "helt på bærtur." It means that if someone do not understand something, do something wrong, misunderstand or is completely lost, that someone is helt på bærtur. At the same time, someone can be "på bærtur," literally speaking, if they are out in the forest or in the mountains to pick berries. So to the point: Today some friends and I were på bærtur, at the same time we were helt på bærtur. We were supposed to pick blueberries, but we were obviously too late, out of season, as there were no blueberries left. We had to find something else to do with our ten-litre buckets..

Herlig norsk sommer!

Wonderful Norwegian summer! Yes, I am sarcastic, but I'm not complaining. It has rained a fair bit this summer, about 25 days in June and July combined. This past week the weather has been impeccable, though we haven't gone without a proper shed during the day, such as this one.

In memory

I was away when terror struck Oslo and Utøya on July 22nd, and in the week that has passed I have worked. Therefore, I have not had time to take part in the ceremonies that has taken place on the square in Mjøndalen and other places nearby. Oslo has become a sea of ​​flowers, candles, letters and poems, and today the cleaning up has started. Old withered flowers will be composted, fresh flowers will remain and letters, teddy bears and poems are packed together and given to the National Archives. Today's photo is from the square in Mjøndalen.

Demonstration

In September, I wrote about the old nursing home Veiatun, which has been closed and planned demolished, although it is worthy of preservation. Two years ago, another old building in Mjøndalen was demolished and politicians are planning to build a new, modern, five storey apartment complex on the site. Residents in the houses around, on the other hand, demonstrates. They want a better environment, sun and well-being, not concrete and shadow. Who can blame them?

Postcard-worthy

For this month's theme day I chose this, the view from my friend's holiday house on Eikern. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Courage or stupidity?

I'm home from my weekend trip at Eikern! A little sunburned, but happy! On Saturday, on our way back from the grocery store in Vestfossen, we spotted these three guys on the bridge over the strait where Eikern and Fiskumvannet meet. They were climbing over the fence, getting ready to let go. They hesitated.. When we got close enough, one of them jumped! He seemed to land pretty flat on his tummy. I guess they were thinking they had courage, I think it's stupidity.

3322 Fiskum

Fiskum is the name of this little area between Vestfossen, Øvre Eiker and the city Kongsberg. The little village in Fiskum is called Darbu. The school and train station are called Darbu, whilst the church and local clubs and organisations are called Fiskum. If you come from west, the road sign says Darbu, if you come from east, it says Fiskum. Complete confusion! A discussion to change the village's name from Darbu to Fiskum got a blank no from locals, so since then there has been an ongoing debate to whether the place name in the zip code, 3322 Darbu, should be changed to 3322 Fiskum. About six months ago, after a local referendum, the politicians spoke: From now on, it's 3322 Fiskum.

Neste stopp: Eikern!!

The lake Eikern stretches almost 20 kilometres, from Vestfossen in Øvre Eiker to Eidsfoss in the municipality Hof. Eikern is known as one of the least contaminated lakes in the south east of Norway, where raw water can be used untreated as drinking water for the citizens in Øvre Eiker. The lake's maximum depth is measured at 156 metres, whereas intake of the raw water is at 45 meters. I am so lucky to have a good friend who's family own a holiday home along the very steep shore of the lake. This weekend we are a group of friends who are going there for food, drinks and fun, swimming, water ski competitions and sun!

Nedre Eiker kirkegård

For the first time in ages, I have gone with my grandmother to the cemetery to plant flowers on the graves of her and my grandfather's parents. When I was there I thought a bit about what happens when there is not room for more graves. A few days later, when I read the local newspaper, I noticed an article about this: the long-term problem of space in the two cemeteries in Nedre Eiker. In cooperation with Statistics Norway (to calculate statistics on mortality) and politicians (who allocate money), the municipality have already begun to plan the acquisition of land that can be graveyards in a few years.

Transhumance

This old, abandoned and dilapidated house belongs to an old transhumance, called "Hansaseter." Before Hansaseter was abandoned several years ago, the owners who lived there during the summer had cows grazing in the area. Today it is just a little opening in the forest you have to cross on your way to the dirt road Sirikjerkeveien which brings you along to several little lakes good for fishing.

Location, location, location

The # 1 rule in real estate: identical homes can increase or decrease in value due to location. I wonder how much these houses along the river shore in Øvre Eiker will go for, if and when they are put out for sale.

Squirrel on the run

Last week, my mother and I spotted this little fellow in my parents garden. It looked a little distressed as it ran back and forth from the vegetable garden to two small cherry trees which it was trying to climb. After watching it for a while, we realised that it was on the run from a bunch of sparrows. Suddenly the squirrel had climbed the fire ladder on our neighbours house. It sat in the window sill for a little while, with the sparrows keeping an eye on it from the electricity cord. Finally, to our relief, it managed to climb back down, and with a little help (from me), it found its way back into the forest too!

Ship o'hoy!

Today I'm off on my first trip this summer holiday! As I'm going sailing with some friends, I thought this photo (although not of a sailboat) would be in place. This photo is taken on board of M/S Eikern, a little boat on the lake Eikern in Øvre Eiker. Unfortunaltely, the boat trip I'm setting out on today are not here in Eiker, but along the south coast of Norway, hence don't expect any photos. I will, however, give you more pictures from Eikern later on, since the lake is the destination of one of my other trips this summer.

Vanilje

At this time of year, peonies in all sorts of colours are in bloom. When I photographed these white peony buds it struck me how perfect they are. Their delicate round shape, creamy colour and velvety soft flower petals makes me think of two delicious scoops of vanilla ice cream!

Get to know Turkey!

Once a year, a Turkish fair is arranged in Mjøndalen's community centre. Three local Turkish associations, the hosts behind the popular fair, say they want people to get to know their country and their culture. At the fair they sell Turkish food, like kebabs, dolma, börek and different types of baklava and other sweets, and Turkish handicrafts, like the tablecloths you can see attached to the wall in the back. The food at the fair is really popular, so popular that some people, at this years fair, persuaded the guys who were selling the kebabs to come and sell their food at a private party after the fair's closing time!

VEST CREW

At the harbour in Vestfossen I spotted this tagging. I have no idea who's behind or "who is" VEST CREW, but my guess is a couple of local teenagers...

R&R

If I had to sum up my weekend with a photo, it would be this one. And if I had to describe my weekend in one or two words, it would be R&R, rest and recreation. Hope you have had a good weekend too!

SophistiCats

Whether this is your work weekend, your going away, or plan to play board games and drink wine with friends, like these sophisticated cats, I wish you a great weekend!

Opened, but closed!

Last time I visited Vestfossen, the chocolate shop was still in progress, but now it is finally opened! Unfortunately, when I was there on Saturday it had closed for the day, so you will have to settle with another exterior photo. Now, as I know their opening hours, I'll make sure that next time I'm in Vestfossen I'll come whilst it's open, so you'll get a photo from inside and I get a big piece of chocolate!!

Lyrikk

Last Saturday I went with my mum on a boat trip on the lake Eikern, in Øvre Eiker. On the boat, there were a few local writers who presented some of their work. This woman, read a few of her short stories and rhymes for children. For her rhymes, she said she was inspired by a Norwegian lyricist, Inger Hagerup, and one of her nursery rhymes in particular. For me it was funny to hear her read Haperup's rhyme, as I remeber reading it when I was little. It is called "Det bor en gammel baker" and it's from a collection of nursery rhymes from 1950. This is the first of three verses:

Det bor en gammel baker
på en bitte liten øy.
Han er så lei av kaker
og krem og syltetøy.
Men han må sitte likevel
og spise sine kaker selv.
For han bor helt alene
på en bitteliten øy

Versatile

Not long ago, there was a derby in football between Mjøndalen's team and the team in Drammen, a city nearby. Because of the match, Mjøndalen was mentioned in the evening's sports news, and the viewers were given a small guided tour of the village. I didn't see it, but one of my classmates did, and she pointed out a few of Mjøndalen's rather special shops. Like this one, a shop I didn't even know about, Kari's balloon & party shop. As you can see in the photo, not that many balloons on display. Reason for this, they also sell corsets and underwear.. Very versatile!

PR Stunt

Until September, Gamlebrua will be closed for restoration. The bridge is old and rusty, but the idea behind the restoration is also to do a stunt in connection with the centennial of the bridge in October. The plan is to light up the bridge, and Nedre Eiker's politicians say the illumination will be a spectacular sight and a huge PR stunt for the municipality. If the idea of lighting up the bridge goes through, I am curious about the end result!

No tulips?

Do you remember the photo I posted last September, of the gardener planting bulbs in front of the statue of Herman Vildenwey? For some reason, I assumed it was tulips the gardener planted. I say "for some reason," but to be honest, I assumed it was tulips because those are the only flowers I know about that grows out of bulbs. With a little help from my mother, I can show you this photo of the flowers that has grown from the bulbs, and tell you what they are called: Pelargonia (of some sort)..

Kastanjeknopp

This is a picture of a kastanjeknopp, a bud on the chestnut tree growing in my friend's courtyard. The photo is taken a week or so ago, so the leaves are all sprung by now. It's actually in bloom, like all other trees here are at the moment.

17. mai-toget

Thanks for all the comments to yesterday's photo. If you got happy seeing her smile, just imagine hearing her laughter! Today I'd like to show you a picture of the parade, 17. mai-toget. The people you can see walking here are the local scouts led by Nedre Eiker's chief of police.

Nasjonaldagen

17. mai is Norway's national day! Here's a happy teacher from the elementary school in Åsen, Mjøndalen, who is walking in the parade with her students this morning!

Lamper

I like the light that streams through the window of this lamp store at night. I walked past it one evening and wanted to take a photo of it. Here it is!

Bamsesykehus!

Here's a photo from last Saturday's bamsesykehus (teddy bear hospital) that Nedre Eiker Red Cross arranged for the World Red Cross Day.