Kristiansand early morning

Adam from Visit Sørlandet arrived at work a little early one morning.

Have you ever had one of those days when you woke up in the middle of the night and could not get back to sleep? I had one of those such nights. I woke up at 0300 in the morning and it did not matter what I did, I could not get back to sleep.

So, I got up and went to work and left the house at about 0500am.

There were no cars on the roads and driving into the city of Kristiansand was kind of weird. It reminded me of that movie with Will Smith Legend where he was the last remaining man in New York. The streets were always empty.

Anyway, there were no zombies chasing me (as per the movie) but a comfortable silence. Passing the Kilden theatre, I saw a fishing boat that had already delivered his load of fish. That man must have woken up even earlier than me!

I walked through the city streets with barely a sole in sight. Peaceful is probably the right word to use. There are flags and signs up for the Colorline Hovden bicycle race coming up this Saturday. Those guys will also be getting up early!

Anyway, I normally get to work early, but today was a new record at the Visit Sørlandet office. The great thing is, I will get a lot of work done.

Have a nice day.

Skipperhuset Hidra Island Flekkefjord

Grethe and Leif Larsen Skipperhuset Seng og Mat

Adam from Visit Sørlandet took a trip to the island of Hidra in Flekkefjord in Southern Norway and stopped in at Skipperhuset Seng and Mat (Skippers House Bed and Breakfast). There he had a little interview with the friendly owners Grethe and Leif Larsen. The guesthouse has breathtaking views over the sea with a very quiet and relaxing atmosphere.

 

 

We have lived in a few different countries over the years because we were both in the shipping industry. We actually met at a shipping company in Oslo.

We lived in America for many years and had both of our children there but we have also lived in Saudia Arabia.

Grethe: I was not allowed to work in Saudia Arabia so I was a house wife. The only women that were allowed to work were local people that were nurses, doctors and teachers.

Leif: We had family status so we lived in a compound. Our oldest son was seventeen at the time, so he was not allowed to live in Saudi Arabia with us. We are not really sure why, maybe because they think that teenagers can cause problems. As a result, he went to a boarding school in the United States.

 

 

Grethe: When we met at that shipping company in Oslo, I was working in the operation department and he was out at sea captaining a ship. I then became a radio officer and had to do a long course to get the qualification. When he came back from the sea, he was offered a job in Newark New York as a port captain so I did not even get a chance to use my radio skills. But, I was also offered a job in New York, so it worked out well.

Adam: Your guesthouse location is amazing. Can you tell me a little about it.

Leif: I am a fourth generation captain, so it is in my blood line. In 1850, my grandfather had two small houses in Hidra. The other house was on a small island further out and they moved one of them here. Both he and my father were born here at the house. I never lived here as a child, I only stayed here on vacation. However I did live here for a while in the early 50s and went to school which has since been converted into a museum.

 

 

When we came home from Saudi Arabia, we intended to go back to the United States but then we decided that we would convert this place into a bed and breakfast instead. We added a road and extensions to the house and thought that it would be very nice to have company here. Of course family and friends visited, but we thought that it would be a great way to meet new people and make some money.

Adam: I guess it was nice to have friends and family visit, but they don't pay!

Woman: (laughing) It is such a beautiful location here, that we wanted to share it with others as well. We love to have company.

Leif's grandfather is sitting in the middle of the photograph. His father is the child to the left.

Here is Leif's father as the captain of a ship.

When we started, there was really no place where people could stay overnight in Hidra. So we came up with the bed and breakfast idea. When guests arrive, they have everything provided, so it is very easy for them.

We cater to people that want some peace and quiet and not partying all the time.

 

 

Adam: The guesthouse is full of shipping history with amazing pictures depicting generations of shipping captains, furniture from France (when his father was stationed there) and cosy bedrooms. There are seven bedrooms with sixteen beds.

Grethe has her own kitchen for baking and Leif has his for making fish and other foods. (They are very lucky. I would LOVE to have my own kitchen at home where I can make my barbeque dishes and my wife could do her baking. Maybe the next lottery ticket I buy will give me that chance!)

You can find out more information on their website http://www.skipperhuset.no

Hidra is a short drive from Flekkefjord. You will need to get a ferry over to the island from the mainland, but these leave at regular times. You only pay for the ferry on your return journey home which is about 140kr (please check with Grethe and Leif for up to date information).

 

Flekkefjord is a 1,5 hour drive from Kristiansand.

 

 

 

 

Princess Mary and Princess Mette Marit come to Kristiansand

Adam from Visit Sørlandet ventured out to the city church to get some pictures of Mary and Mette Marit.

Let me start off by saying that I have not really been a fan of royalty. I did not see the point in it. It is expensive and out dated. After today, my opinion has been swayed.

I took several pictures of different people in Kristiansand for the Humans of Kristiansand project and one of the people I spoke to told me Princess Mette Marit of Norway was at the church. This was no reason for me to stay and wait, so I decided to go back to the office. I have of course nothing against Mette Marit, but I was simply not interested in royalty as a concept/tradition.

On the way there, I bumped into two colleagues Elisabeth and Inger. They told me that Princess Mary of Denmark was also at the church. Being Australian, I thought it was almost my duty to go back there and take a few pictures.

I had to wait a while before they came out so in the mean time I spoke to people in the crowd: kids, reporters, police and other photographers. I started to get a sense of why royalty is a good thing and to a lot of people, important.

The kids were excited - they could not wait to see the princesses and give them flowers. Their parents were excited for their children. Many old people were there in their best clothes anticipating the royals exit from the church. Local reporters were also excited. (I cannot say the same for the photographers.) Anyway, all in all, the local people were very proud and it seemed, almost a little nervous by royalty.

Hmm. This got me thinking. Maybe I have been seeing royalty through wrong eyes. I have seen it from a monetary view and not one for 'the people'. As a result, I also got a little excited.

I managed to place myself at the entrance of the church a little before they came out. A couple of minutes before they actually did, paparazzi was all over the place. They were pushing and shoving and asking the local people to get out of the way so they could take good pictures. I was disgusted and did not want to, in any shape or form, be associated with them. I knelt down and took a few pictures when they came out and quickly got away from the affray.

It is indeed a small world. Princess Mary comes from Hobart in Tasmania and I come from Melbourne. I actually used to work with her ex boyfriend. He was in an advertising agency and I worked for an Internet Marketing company, so we were constantly in meetings. She ended up in Denmark and I in Norway. 

It would be good to have a 'real life' chat to her to see how she adapted to a new country. Does she miss home, her friends and family? After a day out as a royal, does she go home, put her track suit pants on and play with the kids? I think so. You can take an Australian out of the country, but you can never take the Australian out of a person. We are a down to earth bunch.

The princesses followed the line of children and parents in a L shaped direction and eventually they went into the local Government office. It was just before the entrance that I was compelled to say 'It is good to see another Aussie here'. She looked over, smiled and waved. That was nice.

I never in a million years thought that I could write 'that was nice', because of my tunnel visioned ideas about royalty.

I can safely say that I am now converted. Royalty is a good thing.

Apologies for the quality of the pictures as I did not have the correct lens. I had my portrait lens on the camera for the Humans project.

The swimming pool centre in Lyngdal

On a trip to Lyngdal, Adam from Visit Sørlandet popped in to Sørlandsbadet and had a little interview with the Managing Director Atle Homme to find out a little about him and Sørlandsbadet.

For info, Sørlandsbadet is a large indoor and outdoor swimming pool centre in Lyngdal that also includes a gymnasium, café, physiotherapy centre and is open all year round. It is ideally located next to Rosfjorden with beautiful views of the water and beach.

I started working at Sørlandsbadet in May 2010. Fourteen days later, we had the grand opening of the new and updated Sørlandsbadet. It was a very exciting time to start a new job.

I have worked in the military as a Lieutenant for many years and it got to the stage where the government wanted to reduce the size of the forces by 5000 men. I worked with photographic instruments on aircraft which was eventually phased out. I was given the opportunity by the military to study something new, so I chose a bachelor degree in new media – design, internet etc.

After that, I also worked with festivals in Mandal where I live. That was great work, but it was ad hoc and not continual, so that is why it is great to work here – there is always something to do and I always look forward to going to work.

We are not just an indoor swimming centre but also a turpark (tourpark).

Lyngdals bicycling team train here in spinning classes for different events as well as outdoor bicycling days. For example this year they are racing in the Colorline Color Line Setesdal Tour to Hovden, so we are organize special spinning classes for them when the centre is usually closed. I think it is important for our visitors and members of Sørlandsbadet that they can also engage in other activities outside the centre with others.

We have two seal mascots for our centre. On is blue and one is pink and their names are Salto and Selma. They are on our logo and are involved in the Sørlandsbadet song.

On Saturdays and Sundays, the mascots come to visit and play with the kids.

If you need anymore information from Atle or Sørlandsbadet, you can email them here post@sorlandsbadet.no or web www.sorlandsbadet.no

Lyngdal is little over a one hours drive from Kristiansand. There are many opportunites for hotels and accommodation in the local area. Not far away is Farsund with Scandinavias largest indoor skatepark and surfing opportunities. Dra på ferie til Lyngdal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farsund Southern Norway

Adam from Visit Southern Norway visited Farsund to meet the locals....

I travelled to Farsund in Southern Norway and was blown away by two things.

The first was Lyngdalsfjord that had a powerful mist covering the waters tip. Then came a boat cutting through the mist in a breathtaking moment. That was just as I said. A 'moment'. Two minutes after I took that picture, that moment was gone...........

A few hours later, I ventured towards Loshavn.

This is a little harbour that is as ancient as the hills that surround it.

Loshavn basically means small or to the other end of the spectrum lice! Yes Lice, but it also is said to mean small - ie a small harbour. History tells stories about the sailors that were here and its location but at the end of the day it is a lovey little waterside dock with stunning views.

I decided to drive there to see it for myself.

I stumbled upon two workers that had finished their days work. I said hello and crossed the little wooden bridge to the little island adjacent. There I took a couple of pictures of a defused anti boat mine on the rocks with a house in the background - on some sort of island.

I could not help but think of the people that live here permanently. What a lovely view.

Anyway, I ventured over to the two workers.

Me: Hi. I guess that big orange ball is an anti ship mine over there from World War 2. I guess it is also NOT DANGEROUS? Guys: We assume so. It is not ours!

After a brief introduction I got to know these two. A nice couple of lads who are "locals". The guy on the left was born and bred in the US (well, up until he was 4) and the other was from the UK

Me: Well we have quite a mix here. Brit, an American and me - an Aussie!

Guy on right: I have been here 10 years.  After I met my Norwegian wife we decided to come to Farsund where she is from. I do not miss home. I really love it here. What an amazing place to bring up a family. I will not be going back to England. I love to go fishing for sea trout. I do it all year.

A little while later, we walked past the old buildings that are Loshavn.

Norwegian (Guy on left): Did you know that Loshavn was paid for by the Brits?

Brit: No way. That cannot be true.

Me: It is true. The king of Norway (or whatever country owned Norway at that time) asked the then "marines" to pirate every British ship that crossed the waters here stealing everything they had.

Brit: I never knew that. I am moving back to the UK!!! I did not know that this place was built on STOLEN MONEY!"

Me: Easy tiger. If that is true, then every Aussie is a pirate.

Brit: Well, yes they are!

Adam: Of course he is joking. History is history. To quote him: He is never going to leave this little gem that is Farsund!

You can find more info by visiting the Farsund Website here.

I moved to Kvinesdal and fell in love with the city

Interview with Adam Read from Visit Sørlandet and Utsikten Hotel Manager Åse Gjelsten Versland.

Notes from Adam:
I spent the evening at Utsikten Arts Centre (in Kvinesdal Southern Norway) for the Power for Pixels exhibition and spent a lot of time talking to Åse. She was very friendly and we have a good laugh together. I could not help but ask her for a little interview so that when people visit the Hotel, they already know a little bit about Åse before they meet her.

I came to Kvinesdal 25 years ago because I met my now husband in the mountains of Sirdal and he is from here. His dad went to the states in the 50s and came back in 1976 with his wife and 2 sons and they have been here ever since.

Kvinesdal is a very beautiful place.  You have everything here - mountains, the sea, rivers, waterfalls and it is beautiful both in the winter and in the summer. I have competed in cross country skiing a few years ago and there are many places to go to around here. All you have to do is put on your skis and off you go.

One thing I have noticed here is that the people of Kvinesdal always say yes - yes to new ideas. Actually Kvinesdal is known for 'getting things done'.

 

An example is when they built the new road which diverted traffic away from Kvinesdal. What did the local Government do, they invested millions into building Utsikten. Where else would people do that? Most would be too scared to risk spending the money on a project like that, but not here in Kvinesdal. 

Adam: Is there anything missing from Kvinesdal?

Well, when the kids get older there is no University here, so they need to leave to study. That is a bit of a shame. But Kristiansand and Stavanger is not far, so it is not a big problem.

What is the craziest thing that has happened here in Kvinesdal?

Well the concert we used to have here was amazing. I had to pinch my own arm to see if it was really happening. Famous artists from all over the world coming here to play music in the fields. That was special.

You know the saying 'You dont believe it before you see it but you dont see it before you believe it.' But there has been some changes here. We are no longer going to have that festival and the old E39 that used to go through the city, has been moved which diverts traffic away from the city.

Adam: It is a little bit like the movie Cars. You know when they built the highway that took all the traffic away from the town. It looks like the new E39 has not affected your business.

No it hasn't at all. In fact, sales overall at the stores in Kvinesdal actually increased after the road was built. We knew that the road was going to be built so we started a project with the stores to work together and make our town a successful one. Actually one of the car dealers increased his sales by 20%. We say that 10% is average, but 20% is fantastic. 

The new road actually gave us the excuse to work together you know because before, people did not find it necessary because the road was there and everyone passed through here anyway.

We celebrated the fact that the new road was built. One year after it was completed, we had a party! All the noise from the trucks and cars disappeared. We celebrated the silence and the new found success.

We are always looking at ways to improve Kvinesdal. We built the bridge and have a nice park. Next is the new and improved swimming hall.

 

You know we were going to have a spa and swimming centre here at Utsikten but then we heard that one was being built in Lyngdal, so we changed our plans. Lyngdal is not far anyway, so we work together with them to promote both regions.  People visiting the region don't think about where something is located, they just want to have a nice experience, so they could easily go to Badeland in Lyngdal and then stay here at the Hotel. So, we try to work with everyone.

Utisikten Hotel is 100km from Kristiansand in Southern Norway.

 

Utsikten Hotel, Arts Gallery, Golf Website - http://www.utsikten.no/

 

 Adam @ Visit Southern Norway Dra på ferie til Kvinesdal

Solli Farm (Solli Gård)

In a little town called Kvinlog lies Solli Farm. It is a beautiful farm that offers accommodation, hunting, fishing, conferences on 7000 acres of forest, waterfalls and natural beauty. It was built in 1600s but has recently been completely renovated to perfection.

When you arrive there, you instantly smile. The scenery is breath-taking. A river, waterfall, forest, beautifully renovated farm house, horse stables an outer barbeque section perfect for a meal with friends or a romantic evening with the mountains in the back ground.

Behind the main house lies a small building that looks like a small farm house. Once inside it is a completely difference experience. Like walking into a room where Vikings ate after returning from a mission. Deer heads on the walls, horns used as lighting on the ceilings, an open fire place and woollen rugs on the chairs next to a long table in the middle of the room. Anyone visiting this room would feel instantly comfortable and relaxed walking into this room. Truly special.

The main farm house has a professional kitchen, bar, dining room and a kind of cigar room (although there is no smoking in the house).

It is a perfect location for a company and their employees having a weekend away or even the family. Not to forget the fact that it is a perfect place for a party!

Upstairs are the four bedrooms which can sleep a total of 15 guests. One of the bedrooms is very cosy with each double bed in its own “wooden cave”. Not sure how else to describe it. The beds are kind of built into the walls offering privacy and a great experience.

The owners are very friendly people and Birgit is an exceptional host - full of energy and very welcoming. She is very proud of their farm.

In a 360 degree view you will see forest to the north, deer to the south, a waterfall to the east and mountains to the west. You couldn’t really ask for more.

All food served on the farm is homemade and they specialize in the preparation of wild game of all kinds. They bake their own bread on the farm and use local suppliers for authentic local food.

Contact details

4473 Kvinlog, Vest-Agder, Norway
Phone 38351375 eller mob: 41423076
Email birgit@sollijaktgaard.no
FB https://www.facebook.com/sollijaktgaard