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.

Ståle stålorm

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

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

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

Boklopper

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

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

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

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..

..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!

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

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

Easter Sunday in the Norwegian countryside.

Happy (snow-free) Easter!

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!

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

Cygnus

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

Spark

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!

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