Make sure you read Part 1 and Part 2 first!
Snowy slopes
After a morning at Fannremsgården we went over to a small ski resort, where we spent time in a little wooden shelter by the slopes. We had brought food and grilled it over the fire whilst enjoying the scenery and some of the group went off for a little skiing.
I didn’t ski, because I always get bored of it at the worst possible time and it’s no fun for anyone then. Zero ski stamina.
I love that there were grasses and tiny saplings – and apparently flags – growing out from under the snow on the roof.
So instead I stayed and chatted with some lovely friends, did some more spinning in the snow and we ate and drank to keep warm.
I think I'm going to need to make a drapey cowl–poncho shoulder-wow because Rachel's look here is regal.
After a while I strayed off with a couple of others for a little walk to take in the scenery. I really do love how the snow sits so perfectly on the branches. It's the little things in life.
Coming back to the little hut, filled with friends making and chatting, felt like coming home.
I then didn't knit or spin for a while. There's something calming about watching other people making and working with their hands. I spent some time watching and listening; occasionally talking.
Janette is from Shetland and knits in the traditional style: lots of colours, specific motifs, and using a knitting belt!
Maria was making colourwork socks in a really pretty colour combination.
Marce was crocheting a hat – and making really speedy work of it – from some of my naturally dyed Mendip 4-Ply.
I think Patricia had finished this green hat quite recently, and it's a lovely one!
After a calm, chilly and bright afternoon we went back to the hotel to prepare for the next day. On the Sunday we stayed in as the hotel was hosting a knitters' afternoon tea. Dozens of local knitters came to chat, sing folk songs, eat an overwhelming quantity of the most delicious cakes and nibbles, and of course knit.
In the evening we went back over to the Norway Building, where we'd been a couple of days before, for a fiddle concert by Sturla Eide. We learned about the complexities of the Hardanger fiddle, some local musical history and about Norwegian folk music, as well as hearing some truly delightful music.
Trondheim by boat
The next day was my last in Norway. We returned to Trondheim in the morning and went for a very chilly boat tour up the Nidelva river through town.
It was a somewhat chilly day.
Joyce has the best solutions to life's problems. Even this getup would prove insufficient protection against the icy wind out on the water.
There was lots of hugging for warmth as we waited for our boat.
The boat was a tiny one – in a Viking clinker style. It sat low in the water and we were able to huddle together to keep warm. We also had tea out on the water.
The iconic houses along the waterfront date back to the 18th Century, but are similar in style to ones that stood there earlier. It seems Trondheim used to occasionally burn down until they made some changes to the city planning.
The stilts the houses stand on have to be periodically replaced as the wood rots in the water.
Further up the river the houses are a little less traditional. We then turned and went back the way we'd come.
And that's it – once we got off the boat we pottered a little through town, met friends, had some lunch, and then I gathered my bags for the bus to the airport.
I had wanted to go to Norway since I was a child and fascinated by Vikings, and now I've been I know I'm going to have to try to go back. Though we came from around the globe, Trondheim isn't all that far from me in the UK. I hope one day to go and revisit friends, see more farms, meet more knitters and buy Norwegian wool. I feel like though every day was jam-packed with learning and culture and history, there's still so much to experience and find out. So here's to hope for the future.
I really want to thank Patricia of Knitography Farm, MidtNorsk Strikkefestival and Bårdshaug Herregård for the most unforgettable experience, and all of the friends who lent me their kind company.
If you'd like to soak up a bit more of the atmosphere, I've made a short video of the trip, which you can watch below.
