Wouldn’t you like to spend one Norwegian summer here? On the western waterways of norseland. Just you and your art supplies. Your canvases or wooden boards. Your stacks of blank journals. Your paint. You. Alone. Without any electronic devices. Just you and this land and sky and water. Okay. I’ll let you have your iPad to keep in touch and listen to music. But no phone. No tv. No watches or clocks. The sun will dictate what to do and when to do it. There will be a vegetable garden to tend. Rabbits to feed. Small foxes who watch you and keep you company during the long sunny nights. You can pick wild strawberries and wildflowers. Jump naked into the water each afternoon. Dry off in the grass on a sky blue quilt covered in tiny red stitches. Watch the treetops and water for sea eagles and seals.
Mostly you will stay home and tend the fire. Paint or draw or write. Make big pots of stew. Bake bread. But there will be days for exploring too. Meeting the neighbors on yonder hilltop who will teach you to fish and bake Norwegian cookies and embroider white linen tablecloths or curtains with red and blue silk thread.
Once a week you can take your boat and head toward Bergen. Get supplies. Do city things.
That’s what I will do. Someday.
Sent from my iPad
Arg! I am loving your posts and pictures and yes, I would LOVE to spend the summer in Norway! This sounds like the most heavenly of heavenly vacations ever.
Oh how you speak to me….
well, except for the part about the birthday suit. I can never pull it off.
Oh goodness me…that sounds so good. art…journals…no media. Heaven.
You always know exactly how to speak to my soul. xo
I’m practically in tears, my heart is squeezing with longing to see these enchanted places. Is it possible to be homesick for a place that one has never been? Just might be. I think I’m testing it out right now…
Yes, Mary Ann, Yes….that’s all I can say. To all of it. The food, the dear ferry, the summer house. Oh yes. And yes again. LOVE your travelogues!!!! xoxxxoxoxoxoxo
This is wonderful!
ok -since I don’t have an ipad yet – can I bring my ipod for music? 🙂
Wow, that chilled norsk air relieves some of the desert heat here in Phoenix. I’m amazed to see a blue building on Bryggen. Then I realized it’s scaffolding…
Marissa
Oh Lord, I’m in love! What a place!
I hope you do get to do these things one day Mary.
I hope I get to do these things one day!
So enjoying sharing this trip with you. Thank you 🙂
that would be so lovely; right out of a book I’d love by Rosamund Pilcher. I too dreamed of living a simple life very similar to what you’ve described . . . brought back lots of wonderful daydreams! thanks!
Jeez, I love those little houses by the water; magical!
You are making me homesick for Bergen! I haven’t been to Norway since 2005 (or so) and all these stories and photos are making me green with envy. Have some good cheese and bread for breakfast and a cup of lemon tea and think of me. Take a big lungful of the bracing sea air. Buy more paper! I’d even give up reindeer boots so you’ll have more room to bring home paper. And scissors.
I never expected such colorful houses! I’m envious. Maybe when I grow up I can take such a wonderful trip.