Fall 2018: Our Little Norwegian Cabin Home on the Hill

Just catching up on posting some photos from our recent fall trip to Norway, where we visited for the first time our "new" family cabin: a 200-year-old property near the mountain community of Skåbu.

The main house (center) has been lovingly restored inside and out.

John and his daughter, Marie: the happy new owners!

The building to the right is a stabbur, or storehouse, typical of Norwegian farms.
In the old days it was used to store food, but we plan to re-purpose it for storing guests!

Side view of the cabin

The view from inside, looking across the valley to Skåbu.

The upper building is the only structure that needs major repairs, but with electricity

 and plumbing already installed, it has the potential to become a guest house.  

The Vinstra river valley, just below the cabin

Fall 2018: Interiors

And now, for a peek inside!

The guest bedroom

Master bedroom

Upstairs hallway

Vintage doors were used throughout the house,
and the bedroom ceilings were painted in the
traditional Norwegian style of rosemåling 

Detail of the bedroom door, which came from an older farm c. 1815

Nothing vintage about the kitchen, however, with all new appliances, electricity and plumbing 

Fall 2018: Cabin Days

Relaxing at the cabin.

Hanging with the family

Making breakfast

Morning coffee in front of the fire

John in his element: a cold beer, a warm fire, and the world cycling championship on TV

Fall 2018: Norwegian Wood

A few details from the Skåbu property.

The property is bordered by a typical Norwegian skigard, or roundpole fence

Front door to the stabbur 

A few old milk cans and tools still bear the name of the original dairy farmer, I. O. Blekastad.

Another of the out-buildings with "fixer-upper" potential

Weathered barnwood 

Front door of the main cabin

  

     

Fall 2018: Exploring Skåbu and its Surroundings

Exploring the area around Skåbu.

At Sikkelsdalen, about 30 km west of Skåbu, and the gateway to Jotunheimen National Park

It was a brisk day for a hike 

Behind this fence is the Royal Mountain Chalet owned by the King and Queen of Norway.
Alas, they did not invite us in for tea. 

Exploring the roads above the cabin

Here's a view from Skåbu looking back across the valley towards our cabin.
The cabin roof is visible in the bottom of the photo.

Fall 2018: Happy Trails!

Planning ahead for our return in March 2019, we set out to explore the area's abundant summer and winter trail system. It did not disappoint.

Happy hiker!