When we borrow a cabin from our friends, they leave us the key or tell us where the key is hidden. They expect you to be honest, and to clean really well after you so that its nice for the next people coming to stay.

The cabin can be empty for weeks, so, when we go in, the first thing we do is to light the fire. We will often sit in silence in front of the fire place, watching the wood light up, bringing light and warmth to the cabin. Then we light the candles to give some more warm light and chat as we make ourselves at home.The fire place can be the only source of heat, so we all wear woollen underwear, and have lots of home knitted, thick, warm, woollen socks. There will be socks for everyone including the guests. In summer, as in winter we love cuddle a round the fire, drinking hot chocolate and eating home made waffles with homemade jam.  It has to be made from berries that you picked yourself in the forest around the cabin and you have to make it yourself, or you will be teased, and you can be the laughing stock for years. We love to eat waffles and jam, but picking berries, plums and apples for making jam and making all the waffles for 5 or 10 people, is hard work and  takes time, but is fun when everybody helps.The real Norwegian cabins are characterised by 4 or more of the things on this list.

• no electricity
• no hot water
• no shower
• no TV
• outside toilet
• lots of old books and magazines
• a nice fire place
• bunk beds
• lots of woollen sweaters and socks
• cards, and board games such as ludo, yatzi, monopoly, checkers and chess
• a visitors´ book
• a poster of the Norwegian king (But, only on the wall in the outside toilet)

The cabin must certainly be painted red or brown.

Most of them are painted red (like the one in the picture),  but the mountain cabins are often brown. The white is often used for luxury equipped summer houses, but you will find some white cabins in the very south of Norway.

Electric shock treatment?

There will be no internet access and, in my friend´s cabin, you have to climb to the top of a nearby hill to get a signal for your mobile phone. After I spent a week or two, I feel so relaxed and feel so normal. I spend no time thinking about work, or answering emails or being on any social media. When I need to bathe and wash my hair, plunging into the cold lake can be like old style electric shock therapy. It feels so cold but afterwards, I feel so strong and healthy and refreshed.

Preparing and cooking the food and washing up afterwards brings us closer together. For a few days or weeks, we are completely removed from the stress and strain of the city life. We concentrate on what is REALLY important, family, friends, sharing food and experiences. We talk about funny things that happened before, about what is going on in our lives, and of course our new the plans.

No wonder I feel so charged, relax, relieved and ready for the city life.

Here is my best friend, Janne, it is her family that is so hospitable and lets us stay to paint pictures and write for as long as we need. The best cabins stay in the family for generations.