So got changed and left work, cycled down the coast and went to the Bålhytte (think of a hybrid between a shed and one of the old wooden bothies) on the island of Hestholmen. Its a fantastic hytte/bothy with two separate sides with sleeping platforms and a nice sized fire pit in the center of the space, a traditional design going back a long way here in Norway.
Anyway, a fire was lit, a few drams were consumed, food eaten (reindeer) and I fell asleep to the sound of the rain on the wooden shingled roof. Shame no one to share the experience with but better a night out (OK not in a bivi bag in a hedge/bus stop/pub beer garden... you will have to forgive me that, but the best I could do seeing as i had to be in work in the morning) than just going home to a frozen pizza.
Now been in work for the last 2.5 hrs and still smell like a bothy - Only those who have experienced it will know that heady next day fragrance of yesterdays whiskey and wood smoke oozing form every pore. A nice but strange feeling being sat at my desk in work and smelling of "adventure"...
Even though I was on the other side of the North Sea, i did feel a sense of connection with the others doing the same sort of thing back in the UK.
For what its worth here are a few pictures*
*day light pictures are from the summer - its dark here so to give you a idea of where it is
its a bit dark...

Just me then...

that's better


Hestholmen island in the center of the picture

The Bålhytte - the hytte or bothy in daylight

And lastly the inside in the daylight
