July 2 – Telemark to Oslo

It was good to wake up to the sound of rain on the roof of the hytte and feel so cozy and dry inside. Anders had the fire lit and the coffee on and we enjoyed breakfast as usual. How good that we did our hiking yesterday!

After breakfast, everyone pitched in to prepare for our departure … it didn’t take too long with all hands involved. The final steps were loading the van and then the relocking process using the end of a coat hanger and the broken key … the reverse of how we got in!! Amazingly enough, it all went quickly and smoothly, coat hanger, broken key and all. J

Our first stop on the way back to Oslo was at a very old and unique farm Svalastoga. The house and an additional building have fascinating carved support posts and old millstones decorating the front area. In addition, an uncle of the present owner, was very artistic and years ago, painted the walls inside the house with pictures that were often of biblical themes. It was definitely a one of a kind farm house to see.

Lunch was a delicious omelette at an old travelers’ inn in an area between Hjartdal and Flatdal. This was a place that Anders and Ragnhild remember from earlier times. We were fortunate to be toured through the inn by one of the owners who is a well recognized artist in Norway. There are painting courses offered here now on a regular basis.

On to the Heddal Stave Kirke … the largest stave kirke in Norway. It was very interesting to see … more turrets on the roof line and much more painted inside. The painting dates from the time io the reformation, 1534. It was fun to explore this historical structure with friends.

We drove in and out of rain the rest of the way back to Oslo, but arrived back in Slependen around early evening. Another delicious dinner and then we watched a short DVD about the Orman Lange gas project here in Norway. Both Statoil and Hydro are involved in that with other investors. It is an amazing project. It will supply 20% of the UK’s gas for the next 30-40 years (10-15 TCF).

In the evening, we were treated to some guitar music by Are. We were to bed not too late … not long now until Wednesday morning and our flight back to Canada.