CYCLES FOR AN OLD NORWEGIAN FARM HOUSEEssence Health Care

Our international group of blogettes, who post monthly under the label 'By Invitation Only', have 'CYCLES' as theme this month: 'By Invitation Only' was founded by my dear friend Marsha from Houston, and we are only two from Scandinavia who has membership in the group. To join the exclusive group, you must be recommended by a person who already has a membership.

Early Summer

This month I'll show cycles for an old farmhouse in Lillehammer, Oppland county Norway.
Lillehammer, perhaps best known for the Winter Olympics in 1994 with the famous opening ceremony, is the beginning of one of Norway's most beautiful valleys, Gudbrandsdalen.
But for many international guests and for us Norwegians, Lillehammer is also famous for another attraction: Maihaugen open air museum.

My husband and I have been on Maihaugen many times - also this summer, which I'll post about later. We love to visit the place, both because of the beautiful old buildings, the old interiors, the history, the animals, the scenery and the stunning view. But most for inhaling inspiration from the thousands of details, take hundreds of pictures and learn more about how the houses were built and people lived for hundreds of years ago.
In a previous post under 'By Invitation Only' I have written about my / our greatest desire, which is a guest farm. So I'm sure you understand why we are so fascinated by the old houses and farms at Maihaugen.

Bjørnstad Farm is a large farm from the 1700s. The farm has 27 buildings, mostly situated around two courtyards (tun). Bjørnstad farm was moved to Maihaugen from Lalm in Vågå in Gudbrandsdalen. Around the inner courtyard, lie the residential houses, store houses and lofts. Around the outer area is the barn, sheep barn, goat barn, pig house and several outbuildings and barns. In the outhouses were fed to the various animals kept. In the barn the equipment was stored before threshing, the hay was also stored there.

All these pictures are taken by the main house on Bjørnstad from about the same angle. Here you can follow the cycle through the different seasons, both in the light, the grass on the roof, the different colors of the grass in the garden and the surrounding nature, trees with and without leaves and with the amazing winter snow.

I love my homeland and can only say: Welcome to Maihaugen, welcome to Norway in all seasons. Welcome to the land of northern lights and winter wonderland!