Folkestad, Bjorkedal, Laurdalen

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Just when we thought we had seen the most scenic landscape we could, we met two of Lilly's daughters in Folkestad and drove to Bjorkedal. Lilly, Peter, and Magnihild were the children of Martin Breivik, who left for Vancouver, BC in the 1920's. Lilly married and moved to Bjorkedal. She hated it the first few years because it was so dark, cold and snowy in the winter. The tallest mountain close to the ocean is there, plus the tall Tor and Small Tor mountains. This means it is in the shadows a lot.

We knew we were going to their mountain cottage, but we had no idea what that meant. Gunn's husband, Tor drove us up a narrow gravel road 3 or 4 kilometers up. There we discovered the old summer village of Laurdalen, where the farmers used to take their sheep and cattle for three months. The buildings date back to the 1600's. When Gunn, Elsa and their siblings were young, they walked up and down because there was no road or car. They milked the cows, made cheese, and carried the milk down in cans carried on their backs. Arne Per, their brother, met us. He had started the fire in the stove for us, but it was very pleasant outside.

The weather is fabulous, once again. Elsa came from hiking in the Jotenheim in time to join us for the afternoon. So we have met two Viking Norwegian women! They are both remarkable. Gunnvar is part of an organization called Embla. They row for peace, taking their Viking boat to different places in the world. You may find them on the internet, I think. Their brochure says "women are half of the world's population, and the greatest peace potential" (KR, I think of you).

We had both of Gunn's children, Arthur & family, and Lille and son, as well as Arne Per & wife join us for dinner. We had a mutton & cabbage dish and lasagne, plus apple cake, which Allan also wants for breakfast. We will sit in their kitchen, looking out at the fjord in the morning while enjoying breakfast.

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Photos

Olav cutting trees from roof
The building is the oldest, an old barn from 1600's. It has been restored.

Women's Peace Viking Boat
Many boats historically have been made here. Each boat builder had his own unique style