Eiker Daily Photo

Lovely light

2012-01-24T21:00:00.002+01:00

Lovely light along the river Drammenselva a cold winter morning. I took this photo before the weekend's snowfall, so there is lots more snow at the moment. And the tempratures are between -5 and -10. A perfect winter in other words :) See this post for another morning photo along Drammenselva.

The White Coal

2012-01-23T23:31:00.001+01:00

From the 1880s, electric light had existed at the pulp mill in Vestfossen. The electricity was made through steam turbines. From 1907-1910, the pulp mill and the town Vestfossen took the step into the electricity era, by building what today is known as "Gamle Vestfossen Kraftstasjon" (Old Vestfossen Power Station).
With what they called the white coal, the factory could save lots of money (as much as 40 øre (about 0.068 USD) per tonne of coal). On the site of a burned down factory, the pulp mill built the small power station. It had four generators, wich could produce about 260 hp. Now, Vestfossen's population saw the possibilites to get light themselves. One of the town's retailers, L.G Dæhlin went directly to the factory manager and asked, and the factory was interested in supplying power to the town too, both as street lights and electricity to private homes. While Nedre Eiker looked the other way, and became customers of Drammen's Electricity Works, the locals in Vestfossen chose to gamble on the local cornerstone business. In the fall of 1910, it was put up 31 street lights, each at 65 watts, and so the light came to Vestfossen (link to source).

Sjokolade Salongen

2012-01-13T18:08:00.000+01:00

A couple of times I have blogged about the little chocolate shop in Vestfossen, Sjokolade Salongen (check out the blog posts Sjokoladebutikk and Opened, but closed). Last weekend, I finally made it there in its opening hours. I had lunch with my mother, (yes, they do more than just chocolate) and the food was great! The chocolate was too :) For the store's web site, see Sjokolade Salongen

Yaaawn!

2012-01-11T00:30:00.002+01:00

My first day back at uni after the holidays today. I think that this photo of the neighbour's cat, Minus, shows how I feel about it: Yaaawn!

Villars

2012-01-10T00:30:00.001+01:00

Delmar Villars. A baker from Oslo, who moved with his family to Vestfossen in 1912. There, he started a bakery. Some years later he moved his business into these premises, and since then, the Villars family have run a bakery, pastry shop and a cafe here. In 2001, new owners took over the business and has since then run the place according to old Villars traditions. Villars is a popular meeting place for the people in Vestfossen. It's customers range from young plumbers on lunch break to old retired ladies with all the time in the world to sit and chat about old Vestfossen dialects over a cup of coffee...

Fun filled Sunday

2012-01-09T00:30:00.003+01:00

A few hours each weekday, and from 10-16 on Sundays, Vassenga ice rink in Mjøndalen is open to the public. On Sundays, the rink are full of both adults and children, who are enjoying themselves ice skating. I remember when I was a kid: after several hours of ice skating with my friends, hot toddy and freshly baked buns were waiting for us. Anyone have a better idea for a fun filled Sunday?

Winter Sunset

2012-01-08T00:30:00.002+01:00

On December 22nd, winter solstice occured. We are headed towards brighter days, but still, the sun sets around 3.30 pm. Today's photo are taken outside the centre of Hokksund two days ago. A quiet winter field towards Vestfossen..

Epiphany

2012-01-07T14:00:00.002+01:00

In faith of Norwegian tradition, the Christmas tree and decorations are to be taken out on the thirteenth day of Christmas (January 6th). In UK, this day are called Epiphany or Twelfhday, which symbolizes Jesus' revelation. The reason we call it the thirteenth day is because we celebrate Christmas on December 24th. Epiphany was yesterday, and Christmas is offically over in Norway. Yet I have to admit that my Christmas tree and decorations are still in house. As for this farm and it's barn, that I photographed yesterday, I bet the decorations and tree are still in house as well, along with this Santa (if you can see him wave in the window).

Ingen januar uten salg!

2012-01-06T19:15:00.000+01:00

A photo I took today at Eikersenteret, a small shopping centre outside Hokksund, Øvre Eiker. No January without sales! Enough said!

Teddy

2012-01-03T15:03:00.000+01:00

I went to the library in Mjøndalen today, to hand in a book that was long overdue.. I swapped it for a few magazines. As I still have Christmas holiday, I have time to read! When I was there, I saw a big wall covered by children drawings of teddy bears. Teddy Bear Day's drawing competition, the collage was named. After a little research online I found out that the library celebrates Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelts birthday, October 27th, also know as the International Teddy Bear Day. For more events at the library, check out their Spring 2012 Program

Quiet start

2012-01-02T20:00:00.000+01:00

Is it just me, or is the first day of every new year so so quiet? Not a car to be seen on the road. Everyone's at home. Some are sleeping in, caring for their hangover heads, others are eating turkey leftovers for dinner and watching the New Year concert from Vieanna on TV..

Photo of the year!

2012-01-01T13:05:00.000+01:00

I knew from the time I posted this photo in June, that this would have to be Photo of the year 2011! What I wrote in the post Vanilje is exactly what I think when I look at this photo today. Happy New Year to all of you!! I am no fan of New Year's resolutions, but if I were to have one, it would have to be: Be better to blog!
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Autumn beating all records

2011-12-06T22:30:00.001+01:00

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

2011-11-07T16:11:00.000+01:00

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

2011-10-23T15:00:00.001+02:00

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

2011-10-21T00:30:00.001+02:00

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

2011-10-03T00:30:00.001+02:00

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

2011-10-02T10:00:00.000+02:00

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

2011-10-01T23:52:00.003+02:00

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...

2011-09-30T10:00:00.001+02:00

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

2011-09-24T00:30:00.001+02:00

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

2011-09-23T00:30:00.002+02:00

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

2011-09-22T00:30:00.000+02:00

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

2011-09-21T00:30:00.002+02:00

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

2011-09-20T00:30:00.001+02:00

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

2011-09-19T00:30:00.002+02:00

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?

2011-09-18T13:48:00.001+02:00

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

2011-09-12T21:30:00.000+02:00

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

2011-09-09T08:00:00.001+02:00

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?

2011-09-08T17:50:00.000+02:00

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

2011-08-22T14:30:00.000+02:00

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

2011-08-12T00:30:00.000+02:00

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!

2011-08-11T08:00:00.000+02:00

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

2011-08-10T15:45:00.000+02:00

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

2011-08-08T23:35:00.000+02:00

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!

2011-08-04T10:00:00.000+02:00

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

2011-08-03T16:30:00.000+02:00

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

2011-08-02T16:40:00.000+02:00

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

2011-08-01T14:03:00.003+02:00

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?

2011-07-18T13:35:00.000+02:00

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

2011-07-15T00:30:00.001+02:00

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!!

2011-07-14T00:30:00.002+02:00

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

2011-07-12T06:00:00.001+02:00

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

2011-07-11T13:15:00.000+02:00

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

2011-06-28T13:00:00.001+02:00

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

2011-06-27T22:00:00.002+02:00

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!

2011-06-25T00:30:00.001+02:00

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

2011-06-21T13:35:00.001+02:00

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!

2011-06-17T22:30:00.001+02:00

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

2011-06-15T22:45:00.000+02:00

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

2011-06-13T21:00:00.000+02:00

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

2011-06-10T00:30:00.003+02:00

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!

2011-06-08T23:05:00.000+02:00

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

2011-06-07T13:00:00.000+02:00

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

2011-06-06T22:30:00.001+02:00

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

2011-05-30T23:10:00.000+02:00

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?

2011-05-23T21:30:00.001+02:00

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

2011-05-19T10:47:00.001+02:00

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

2011-05-18T19:23:00.000+02:00

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

2011-05-17T22:15:00.000+02:00

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

2011-05-16T00:30:00.002+02:00

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!

2011-05-15T08:00:00.001+02:00

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

Ståle stålorm

2011-05-14T12:00:00.000+02:00

I contemplated for a while, before I finally got ready for a walk in the forest yesterday morning. "Do I have the time?", "What if it starts raining?" and "What if I meet an elk" were my poor excuses not to go. In the end, "Fresh air will do you good" and "You'll feel great afterwards" won, and I found myself walking along the forest path. I am happy I went, as I had forgot how much I love the sound of birdlife and how good the smell of wet pine really is (it had been raining the evening before). I did worry about meeting an elk for a while, I have to admit, my elk encounter earlier this year have made me a bit wary. I did, however, stumble upon something else, a slow-worm, or what we say stålorm. I am just happy it wasn't the poisonous adder.

Red bud

2011-05-12T08:00:00.000+02:00

Within just a week, this tree have gone from having red buds to be full of dark red leaves. Just a little longer, and summer is here!

Same same but different

2011-05-11T20:33:00.000+02:00

Just a few months since this photo was taken. The same tree, yet different.

Boklopper

2011-05-09T08:00:00.001+02:00

Once a year, the library in Nedre Eiker arranges a flea market, selling out all their old books and magasines. I went there this weekend when they arranged it, thinking I would leave with a picture to show you guys and books for myself. I have to admit I got so carried away as they were sold for 10 kroner a piece, (which is real cheap, just about 1 pound or 2 amercan dollars), I left with just books...

World Red Cross Day

2011-05-08T12:20:00.003+02:00

May 8 is the World Red Cross Day, celebrated on the anniversary of the birth of Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross. Worldwide, local and national red cross marks the day, and in Norway this is done with a fundraiser, with volunteers going door to door with a collecting tin. Nedre Eiker Red Cross also marks the day, every year, with an information stand. Here they want to attract more volunteers, raise money for the local activities and inform citizens about the activities they carry out. The celebration and information stand was carried out yesterday, in the centre of Mjøndalen, with a very successful teddy bear hospital for the children and coffee, waffles and information about the local Red Cross for the grown ups. For more information about Nedre Eiker Red Cross and what they do, check out their web page.

Flaggdag

2011-05-02T23:15:00.000+02:00

Norway has sixteen official flag days. One of them was yesterday, Labour Day. Here's one apartment building in Mjøndalen where a few of the tenants celebrated the holiday by putting out the flag.

Mailbox

2011-05-01T22:45:00.000+02:00

Another theme day is here! I don't know if its about fashion, status or in order to save the mailmen from stopping in front of each house, but many neighbours have come together and put up different kinds of these mailbox houses, collecting everything from 2 to 10 mailboxes in one place.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Making room..

2011-04-30T11:30:00.000+02:00

..for 28 new apartments and commercial space in the centre of Mjøndalen. A block of old houses must go, just like that. One house is already demolished, this one is gone soon and a third is awaiting the same fate. All the apartments planned on the spot are sold and I'm curious to see what new shops and businesses that will be established here!

Green = Allergy!

2011-04-27T00:30:00.001+02:00

I saw it on Thursday, and I felt it on Monday. With all this green, allergy is not far away. This beautiful farm road with green birch along the side, release so much yellow dust you wouldn't believe it. My eyes and nose are no fans.

Green

2011-04-26T08:00:00.002+02:00

It was on Thursday evening that I noticed: How green the lawn outside my apartment was that evening, compared to the the colour it had in the morning the same day. It litterally gets greener every second. Here's a bud on a cherry tree near!

Easter Sunday

2011-04-25T14:50:00.000+02:00

Easter Sunday in the Norwegian countryside.

Happy (snow-free) Easter!

2011-04-21T12:00:00.000+02:00

For most norwegians, the easter holiday is about spending the long weekend in the mountains, taking advantage of the last bit of snow and the warm sunny weather to the full. Just too bad the snow has already melted. This little patch of snow was here last Sunday, but by Tuesday it was gone. Happy snow-free Easter!

Et sikkert vårtegn!

2011-04-12T14:15:00.000+02:00

A sure sign of spring, the Tussilago farfara, Hestehov or Coltsfoot! Spring is officially here! Last year's coltsfoot can be seen here

Cygnus

2011-04-11T22:10:00.000+02:00

A northern constellation. A character in Greek Mythology. The genus of most swans.

Spark

2011-04-10T17:00:00.002+02:00

The thing on todays photo is what we call a "spark" in Norway, a means of transportation used during the winter. The name is not pronounced like the english word and it obviously does not mean the same thing. In norwegian "ett spark" can be translated into "a kick" which is kind of what you have to do to get this weird sledge-looking thing to move forward. This is how you do it: You stand with one foot on one of the long iron things (in norwegian it's called "en meie"), supporting yourself on the handles and kick with your other foot down and backwards to make the spark move forward. (If this does not make any sense, check out this video). The spark is usually used in Norway, Sweden and Finland, but it is not a very common means of transportation. To be able to ride a spark the snow has to be hard-packed, and with perfect conditions one can reach speed up to 20 km/h, even more downhill. The first description of a spark dates back to 1872 in northern Sweden, and they became popular in Norway after 1900. It's said they were particulary popular amongst the youth. Since then they have been more or less used only by those who were the youth in the 1930's and 1940's, but this year, championships in downhill spark took place in Norway, a sign that the spark is increasing its popularity amongst the youth once again!

Gamlebrua

2011-03-30T22:50:00.000+02:00

Gamlebrua (the old bridge), is connecting Krokstadelva and Mjøndalen. I'm sure I could have found out more about this bridge if I had asked my grandparents, (I should really do that before posting another photo of this bridge later on), but for now, all I know about gamlebrua is that it has been in use for 99 years. Indeed, it is an old bridge!

Dirt in disguise

2011-03-25T19:46:00.000+01:00

With a winter so white and "clean" it's easy to feel a little fooled when spring comes along, allowing the dirt to come out of its disguise. Everything the snow has covered up, whether it's plastic bags, a lost shoe, dog poo, or as it is in this case, the remains of fire works from New Years Eve, it comes to the surface as the snow melts, leaving our surroundings polluted..

Heavy Machinery

2011-03-22T20:10:00.001+01:00

The sun has been shining all day the last few days, turning the snowy streets into lanes of slush and thick ice. This lovely weather is keeping Nedre Eiker's roads service busy facing winter's massive meltdown with heavy machinery..

Patience

2011-03-21T23:01:00.001+01:00

Rumour has it that cats have nine lives, but I know for sure they have patience. Loads of it! I observed this scene the other day. The two cats sat like this for at least three hours, until the one in the tree surrendered and climbed down. Patience equals stubbornness?

Nøstetangen Glass

2011-03-18T00:30:00.001+01:00

Nøstetangen Glass, a small glassworks and shop in Hokksund, was established in 1990 with the purpose of preserving the heritage from Nøstetangen, the first glassworks in Norway which was established in 1741 in Hokksund (and shut down in 1777). The glass blown at Nøstetangen Glass, here by Merete and Erica, are blown using the models from the old Nøstetangen, keeping the old style, colours and personality of the first glassworks alive. For information about the glassworks, see their web site www.nostetangen.no

Baker Carlsen

2011-03-17T11:00:00.002+01:00

For over a century there has been a bakery in this beautiful old building in Mjøndalen, and the Carlsen family have run the bakery for over 60 years. In the old fashion way and with a dash of love they bake seven types of bread, cakes and other treats every day.

The sun is finally out!

2011-03-09T23:30:00.002+01:00

And it feels good! The snow has melted a bit more than what todays photo show (as I took it some days back), and I can feel the tarmac below my feet again. The birds have started to come back from the south and every morning I wake up to kvirrevitt's (birds twittering). Hopefully spring is just around the corner!

My favourite part of town!

2011-03-01T10:00:00.002+01:00

Another theme day! As you might have understood from January's theme day, I (often) find it difficult to choose a favourite among so many nice things, photos and places! Well, my favourite part of town has to be: home! It could have been the weird yellow tree which I have a strange admiration for or somewhere in Eiker I have yet to take a photo of, and I assume I'm not supposed to post a photo of my sofa where I spend considerable time. This theme day photo is of my grandparents' livingroom, and second after lounging in my own sofa, I spend time here either playing the piano or just enjoying the company of my grandparents and the view of Eiker (which in daylight looks like this).
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Evidence of an elk encounter

2011-02-28T22:10:00.003+01:00

When I left home at 7 a.m. this morning, little did I know I would encounter an elk only 200 metres from my front door. Luckily, I was driving so the elk got more scared than I did and ran away. Sadly this also meant I never managed to get my camera out in time. As I have never seen an elk before (except for one time in a zoo), I took my time when I got home this afternoon to gather up some elk encounter evidence!!

Saturday night

2011-02-27T00:30:00.002+01:00

The new, blue Mjøndalen square at nighttime. I didn't take this photo last night, but I'm sure the square don't look too different on a Saturday evening. A few teens on the colourful benches in the background may be what's missing.

It's a cow's life

2011-02-25T16:00:00.000+01:00

The vet Loe's cows live an idyllic life, waiting for the spring to arrive..

Shutters Shut

2011-02-23T14:20:00.004+01:00

Suffering from slight writer's block I was struggling to come up with a title (and text) for this photo. For long, I couldn't even remember what these red and yellow thingamyjiggy's in front of the windows are called in norwegian, but when I remembered I could easily find the english word for it: shutters. With that, my mind wandered far away from colourful shutters in Hokksund, to two choreographers in the Netherlands, Paul Lightfoot and Sol Lèon. In 2009, my mother and I saw a ballet performance by Lightfoot and Lèon in the Opera House in Oslo. The performance was called "4x Paul Lightfoot & Sol Lèon, and "Shutters Shut" was one of the four dance pieces, performed to a recording of Gertrude Stein's poem "If I told him: A completed portrait of Picasso." The only thing I remeber from Lightfoot and Lèon's performance is this dance, as I was, and still are mesmerized by the dance movements and the rythm in Stein's reading of the poem. Click here for "Shutters Shut"

Youth House

2011-02-20T22:42:00.000+01:00

When the library moved to a new building, the basement in Mjøndalen's community centre was turned into a youth house. Nedre Eiker Youth House opened in 2004, and the local kids gave it the name "Down Under." Every Tuesday to Thursday, kids from the age of 13 can drop by to play pool or Nintendo Wii, take music lessons (drums, guitar, keyboard etc.), surf the Internet and buy home cooked food. It is also possible to rent the premises to throw (children's) birthday parties or to hold seminars and lectures. Go Down Under for more information!

25

2011-02-14T23:18:00.000+01:00

I walk past these bee hives every day and I have wondered where the bees are. I mean, I assume they are inside the beehives, but what do they do? Are they in hibernation? Do they survive the cold winter or do they freeze the death? What do they eat?? I have found out that the beekeeper give the bees sugar water in the autumn, which will be their food through the winter. Okay, that makes sense. What surprised me was the fact that the temperatures inside the beehives are around 25 degrees at all times throughout the winter, no matter how cold it is outside. Why this is? The bees sit together, around their queen to protect her from the cold, and it is their body heat that makes the temperatures so high. Makes me wonder, exactly how many bees are there inside there??

Sixpence

2011-02-10T22:40:00.000+01:00

This is the statue of Herman Wildenvey, a famous poet from Nedre Eiker. I have already shared information about him in these posts, Portåsen,Wildenvey and Bulbs, so today I will just say this; I like his choice of headwear!

Fresh

2011-02-03T11:15:00.002+01:00

To me, this photo brings with it a breath of fresh air. Its sharp colours gives me back the icy cold feeling I got when I was standing on the bridge, taking this photo, yet the sight of the swans and ducks makes me feel that spring is not far away. Farther out, this little river, that is connected to the water Fiskumvannet in Øvre Eiker, is covered in ice, and it brings me back to reality; it is still very much winter!

Stabburet

2011-02-01T15:00:00.002+01:00

Two weeks ago I posted a picture of the chestnut tree. Here is a photo of the same storehouse, stabburet, that you could spot in that picture.

Minus

2011-01-31T09:00:00.003+01:00

This is Minus. He is a ten years old, red, big, fluffy and enormously cuddly cat. He is not mine, although I wish he was.. His owners live not far from my grandparents and whenever I visit them, I usually meet Minus too. He is so trusting and fond of people, a huge contrast to our late family cat who was very wary of strangers. I think he is so beautiful and cuddly, I just want to pick him up, put him in my handbag and take hime home with me. But I can't do that, can I?

In progress

2011-01-30T21:00:00.000+01:00

Remember my post Sjokoladebutikk? Well, here is the chocolate-shop-to-be, four months later. New windows and a new door, but still in progress. I think my hunger for chocolate will have to wait a little longer..

Red barn

2011-01-28T16:15:00.001+01:00

There are some red barns in this region, here is one of them, situated on the hill in Krokstadelva.

Been skiing yet?

2011-01-25T23:32:00.000+01:00

It's embarrassing to admit, but I haven't been skiing this winter. I took this photo last winter, it's from the cross country skiing fields around "MIF-hytta," a cabin belonging to MIF (Mjøndalen's Sports Association). Hopefully, I'll be up there very soon, getting some fresh air, and before I go I can check out the weather and quality of the fields here

Nature's Art

2011-01-20T23:08:00.002+01:00

Check out this stunning piece of art! It looks like paint on a canvas, doesn't it? However, it's not. What you see here is nature's art, the patterns in a big piece of rock

Weeping willow?

2011-01-19T18:00:00.002+01:00

I like how branches become all frosty when it gets cold after a mild period. This tree is a birch, but could resemble a weeping willow, don't you think?