Price check

An odd couple

The last guests left on Monday and we have the house to ourselves again. For a while, at least. It’s been a lovely, but incredibly busy summer. And we’re tired. Really, really tired. But sitting still isn’t exactly our strong point either. Well, for a bit. But there’s nothing quite like new projects, and nothing gives you more of a boost.

First, we tidied up the reception area and the laundry room, which was absolutely essential. The sense of order that this creates brings a sense of calm. I suddenly realised just how much the mess had been getting on my nerves all summer. A few days of pottering about and tidying things up – lovely.

Fishing shop in the reception area, selling lures, fishing rods and a nautical chart of the fjord
View from the terrace, with the old white fence, across the Romsdalsfjord and the mountains

And suddenly Den has broken open the patio by our living room because the water isn’t draining away there. Another constant source of annoyance. My ideas for building a glass railing so you can see the sea whilst sitting on the sofa, and for constructing a sort of conservatory at the back to let in extra light, have suddenly moved up a few notches on the priority list. In the blink of an eye (and with the inevitable swearing due to the ten different types of screws, each in twenty variations, on which the previous owner seems to have a patent), the existing railing is gone. The view that opens up is absolutely stunning.

Annelies at work on the newly laid terrace, with a view across the Romsdalsfjord
An open-plan terrace without a railing, offering unobstructed views across the Romsdalsfjord in the evening sun

Before we’d even had time to think it through, we’d bought 13 new windows via the Norwegian Marktplaats for the stabbur and the future conservatory. If you hesitate, a good deal will be snapped up.

Second-hand white wooden window with window rods, bought for the barn and the conservatory
The boot of the car is full of second-hand windows for the barn and the conservatory

What’s more, Den didn’t go to bed until half past three last night because he’s been working with great enthusiasm alongside Claude to improve our booking system and optimise the website. To top it all off, he’s written a brilliant programme to show the best fishing times and conditions on the fjord. It even includes a community so that anglers can share information and photos with one another.

Fishing times on your phone: the best times to fish, tides, wind and weather on the fjord

We don’t get bored easily, but striking a balance between ideas and putting them into practice is a bit of a challenge. As I said, we’re a bit of an odd couple.