Living Norwegianly | Embracing The Magic of Koselig

Autumn arrived seemingly overnight. The trees suddenly turned yellow and days transitioned from the midnight sun to dark winter nights as quickly as flipping a light switch.

This quick transformation has made me reflect on how we Brits tend to grumble about the weather, prefer to stay inside, and seek refuge in cozy pubs, cafes or shopping malls.

Meanwhile, Norwegians, though they might grumble too, embrace the elements with a different spirit.

In Norway, bad weather is an invitation to venture out and let the wind and rain invigorate you, or to stay in and fully embrace koselig, the art of feeling cozy, comfortable and content.

Koselig is created with flickering candles, blankets wrapped around you, a roaring fire, and a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate (maybe even knitting a stylish woolen jumper). The storm outside only makes the warmth inside feel even more magical.

And when you're out in the mountains, battling the elements, it’s koselig that motivates you—the anticipation of that warm, fuzzy feeling when you finally retreat indoors. After braving nature’s wild side, the coziness feels like a well-earned reward.

Woolfie and I recently felt that koselig magic on our 48 hour adventure in Dovre National Park. Famous for the splendid view from Snøhetta and the rare majestic Musk Ox — and it didn’t disappoint, the hike was as rocky as it was rewarding (and it was rocky).

The weather wasn’t on our side when we arrived—visibility was zero, and the wind and rain were relentless. So, I stayed inside for the afternoon, writing the next module for The Wild Collective.

But the next day, we caught a break in the weather and set out early for the summit of Snøhetta. If you’re not a fan of rocks, this hike might not be for you—it’s all rocks, all the way up—but the views at the top make it worth every rocky step!

We decided to hike down and onto to Åmotdalshytta, enjoying a pleasant journey that treated us to all four seasons in just a few hours, and thankfully far fewer rocks than the trek to Snøhetta (my knees were grateful!).

The main cabin of Åmotdalshytta is spacious, with around 30 beds and two dog-friendly sections. As is often the case in these mountain huts, it was filled with friendly, open-hearted people, and engaging conversations were plentiful. The cabin is fully self-serviced, with no host, so everyone cooks for themselves—and the variety of food available is truly impressive!

I found the dog section in the outbuilding cosier than the main cabin, complete with a fire in the room and a sense of privacy — exactly the vibe I was seeking.

Woolfie and I shared the space with two other super girls and another cute dog, playing cards and warming ourselves by the fire. It was pure bliss— a quintessential koselig moment.

After a rejuvenating sleep—there’s nothing quite like cabin sleep—we set off on our journey back the next day in sunshine!

We took the longer, more scenic route back to Snøheim, and it was stunning. We climbed 90% of the ascent very quickly — of course, over more rocks. But once that was behind us, we navigated our way around some beautiful lakes and yes, over more rocks. When we finally made it onto a very well trodden dirt path, we were in heaven! And it got better…

As we crested a small hill, there they were—a rare herd of musk ox, majestic creatures straight out of the Ice Age. They stood calmly, munching on grass, and watching us as we maintained a respectful distance.

Given the gloomy weather and our route through an area we were told they’re never in, I didn’t expect to encounter them, especially not right on the DNT path.

It was impossible to miss them, as if they had been placed there just for us and the few other hikers fortunate enough to witness their regality and magic.

In that moment, I was reminded of one of my more newer powerful beliefs: what is meant for you will never pass you by. It might take a meandering path to reach you, especially if you're sidestepping lessons or avoiding healing, but it will be there, waiting patiently until you're ready to receive it.

Encountering those musk ox felt like a gift from the universe, one of those magical moments you can’t plan, but will never forget.

With luck on our side, we caught the 4pm bus back to the car and managed to drive halfway to Lofoten that evening. For the first time ever, I slept in my car—an exciting experience, though one I might not repeat unless I’m in the back with the seats down!

After a further 12-hour drive and a couple of ferries, we finally arrived in Lofoten, ready to embrace the bad weather and find even more koselig moments as autumn settles in up north.

Here’s to finding magic in every season, no matter what the weather brings!

Snakkes, Adelaide

P.S. Here are some quick tips if you’re visiting Snøheim:

• Only accessible by shuttlebus (about 50NOK + dog fee) or foot along a gravel road. 30-minute ride. Park at Hjerkinnhus Mountain lodge (less than 100nok a day) and get the bus in front of the building.

• You can camp or stay at the cozy DNT hut, though Woolfie will tell you it’s not quite as cozy for dogs—they aren’t allowed in the main cabin, only in a basic, but pleasant room.

• I’m not sure if you can go up and over - there is a path on the map, but I heard it was sketchy and someone else said you needed ropes. We took the paths that went either side of Snøhetta to get to the other cabin, the shorter path is easier.

• You don’t need to book Åmotdalshytta - but sign into the guestbook on arrival to secure your bed. Take food you like, I always bring Real Turmat. GF/DF options are available but very limited.

• Recommended to book Reinheim, we didn’t stay there as it’s only 1.5 hour walk from Snøheim.

Living Norwegianly | August is the new Autumn

One popular Norwegian influencer wrote last week, “Summer has ended, driving back to Oslo!” 

My first reaction was “Hell no! I’m just about to start my epic late-summer road trip!”

But as it turns out, she might have been right…

As I set out for my three-week dream road trip to Helgeland (archipelago in northern Norway), the wind and rain swept in, washing away my plans. And from the looks of it, the weather won’t be changing anytime soon!

This past week has been all about closing a chapter of my life. I packed up my flat in Geilo in an intense and stressful five days—of course, it fell on my period! 

Friends have been asking, “Where are you moving to?” 

The truth is, I’ve wanted to leave Geilo since December, but my health wasn’t up for a move, and I didn’t know where to go.

May is the best month for spring ski touring, and as I drove to Jotunheimen with a friend for one last epic weekend of skiing, I asked the universe for a clear sign of where I should move. That weekend, by sheer coincidence, we met another group of skiers who live in Sogndal. Unprompted, they spent the next five days convincing me that Sogndal was *the* place to be.

Message received, universe.

I handed in my notice and have been watching Finn—the go-to marketplace in Norway—for our dream place to rent. But nothing suitable has come up in the past three months. So, while we wait, we’re heading north for a 1-3 month adventure, free of bills, rent, and responsibilities. It feels like the perfect time.

My work is online and flexible, so it’s coming with me. And with the weather as it is, it seems like the best time to finish up the program for The Wild Collective. 

A loosely planned road trip to shake things up is exactly what I need. A complete change of environment, routines, energy, places and people.

The dream of a warm summer, midnight sun, and amazing hikes up north has likely blown away, replaced by Autumn’s arrival.

So with the weather calling Helgeland off, the day I was moving out, I found myself with nowhere to go.

Thankfully, Norwegians are very friendly and welcoming, contrary to what you read and see on social media. 

I quickly fired off a few messages to friends and acquaintances, and they quickly came to my rescue.

I found myself in Sogndal surrounded by a great group of new and old friends, enjoying fresh crayfish by the fjord. As the juices dripped down our arms, we were warmed by the bonfire and good conversation. When we saw the rain coming down the fjord, we retreated into their cosy cabin, where we devoured raspberries and whipped cream.

What a way to start our new chapter!

The next day, we met up with Adventure Man and Fluffy White Cloud for a short, steep hike to their summer cabin. Along the way, we past forests of wild raspberries and embraced the popular Norwegian tradition of berry picking. Our goal? To pick 6 kilos of crowberries (krekling) using Norway’s highly efficient berry picker (Baer plukker), for Adventure Man’s and Farm Girl’s organic cider. (We smashed it with 8 kilos!)

As we continued hiking and picking berries in the light rain, the landscape shifted from greens to the warm autumnal hues. That’s when it hit me—the influencer was right, summer really has ended.

We arrived at the small, rustic cabin just as the sky opened up. Security there is highly sophisticated —a key hanging on a string inside. You just reach in and unlock the padlock.

You first enter a small hallway, where they store wood and food, and you take off all your wet stuff. The main cabin, which is just one room, has a fire, simple gas cooker, 3 single beds, table and a few chairs. Small windows provide views into the valley, where cows wonder by munching on grass and the rain easily runs off their backs.

Once the fire gets going, the room heats up quickly. We were warm and dry in next to no time. We cooked the Chanterelle mushrooms we picked on our way up for dinner, and ate milk chocolate for desert. 

The next morning, after a deep, restful sleep only fresh mountain air and a fire-warmed cabin can provide, we ambled back down the mountain, getting soaked once again.

It’s been an unexpectedly wet start to our road trip, but a wonderful one, surrounded by the friends who will soon be our neighbours.

There’s a side of me I’ve been exploring quietly—my spirituality. I’ve been forming my own understanding of harnessing the universe’s energy, surrendering, going with the flow, being in tune with nature. This journey is about embracing the divine masculine and feminine, and I’m slowly weaving it into my work, especially with The Wild Collective.

The theme for this road trip, and my intention, is surrender. Surrendering to the universe and allowing it to guide me to beautiful people and magical experiences. Instead of heading directly to Helgeland and then Senja, we’re now off to Lofoten, as a friend has kindly opened her door to us.

While there may no longer be midnight sun or warm 20°+ days, there will still be magic. And from April to August next year, I guarantee you’ll find me spring skiing, road tripping, and basking in the charm of a North Norwegian summer!

For now, I remain optimistic that this wet and windy weather will pass—but as the Norwegians say, "There is no bad weather, just bad clothes."

Snakkes, Adelaide x

Living Norwegianly | Paw-Ventures: Dog Culture in Norway Vs UK

Last weekend was a big one—Woolfie's first birthday and our 10-month milestone together (I brought her home last October 19th)! Naturally, we celebrated with a birthday tea party, complete with gold party hats!

Back home, my mum and her countryside dog-loving friends regularly throw charming tea parties for their pups. Dogs happily munch on their bones while their hoomans sip hot tea and enjoy homemade cake, all against the backdrop of a cricket green or the seaside.

It’s a quintessentially British scene, and it got me thinking about the contrast between dog culture in the UK and what I’ve come to know here in Norway…

In the UK, dogs are pampered like little royalty, enjoying puppycinos, gourmet sausages, and doggy ice cream at every cafe. Off-leash all year round, they're often seen as fashionable companions, strutting alongside the "green wellie brigade” or “Sloane Rangers"—Labrador in tow, Barbour jacket on, flat cap perched just so and a 4x4 Defender or Range Rover waiting nearby. These dogs are more about indoor snuggles than outdoor thrills,, content to chase squirrels in the local park and snooze by the pub fire rather than hunt on the moor.

But in Norway? Well, here it's a different ball game—literally. Norwegian dogs are adventurers, bred for the rugged outdoors. They’re more likely to be found scaling mountains or pulling sleds than lounging in a pub. The Norwegian pup isn’t just a fashionable companion, it has more purpose; whether it’s hunting, search and rescue, sledding, a teammate on cross-country ski trips, rando tours, cabin-to-cabin hikes, or keeping pace on those epic Norwegian trails.

Every winter season in ski towns near Oslo or Bergen, city folk descend with their Gordon or English setters, perfectly finishing off their Amundsen outfits with knickerbockers, ready for a weekend of skiing (and a bit of après) while their Teslas quietly charge by the cabin! 

When I brought Woolfie home last October, I was in a really dark place, struggling with PMDD. I remember crying to my mum on the phone, asking, “Don’t I deserve to be happy too?” My parents insisted that getting a puppy would be a huge mistake, and a few friends agreed. But deep down, I knew Woolfie would bring me the happiness I so desperately needed and deserved.

This wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment decision, either. 

I’ve dreamed of having my own husky since I can remember (thanks to the Disney film Balto—anyone else?), and I’ve been working toward this for years.

Then, one day, I visited my new neighbour, a retired competitive dog sledder, who just happened to have one puppy left. I met the mother, a sweet dog, and the father, who was wonderful. I knew Woolfie would have great qualities. Even though she didn’t look as much like a husky as I’d dreamed of, it felt like she was meant to be mine.

Originally, I thought I’d get a boy dog and name him Balto, but Woolfie came to me in a dream, told me her name. And so, she became my ride or die.

Over the past 10 months, Woolfie has been my constant companion through hellish PMDD  (and I’ve been bedridden with chronic fatigue syndrome, so that’s saying something). She’s been there to pull me out of the house when I didn’t want to go, giving me warmth, love, and comfort when I needed it most, and made me smile in the depths of depression. She gave me a reason to keep going. Inside, she’s super chill, but outside, she’s always up for an adventure. She just goes with the flow, and is always happy.

Yet, even through the gates of hell, we've glimpsed slices of heaven. To embrace the light, one must journey through the shadows. Life is a dance of duality, where darkness and light intertwine.

Together, we’ve been camping on mountain tops, watched the snow turn purple and the sky pink, gazed at shooting stars by the warmth of a bonfire, embarked on solo off-piste ski adventures, partied at a rock festival, hiked cabin to cabin in Jotunheimen with friends, and so much more. A lot of the solo adventures we’ve embarked on, I’d never have done without her. 

She does have a hooligan side, though. During spring skiing with friends, Woolfie decided to show it off spectacularly. Adventure Man has a super cool Samoyed who charges through the snow in a well-behaved, joyful manner, and I naturally thought Woolfie would do the same.

Nope. Not with lots of people. Way toooo exciting!

I’ve never been more stressed than when we were at the top of Storebjørn in Jotunheimen. Woolfie’s like a magpie, chasing after the fastest skiers—and yes, she can keep up even if you’re speeding full tilt down the mountain.

Thankfully, she mostly followed us down, with my friend jovially apologizing to everyone she crossed paths with (lucky for us, Norwegians love dogs in the mountains and just laughed it off).

At one point she tired herself out, and I had to ski while carrying her (I’m still waiting on that adorable photo from Non-Veggie Man!).

Now, we’re planning a road trip north while we’re in between places, and I can’t wait. Traveling with her just makes every adventure more special! A friend just sent me some fun route tips to get us to the start, so that’s the plan for now—the rest is a mystery!

One of my clients recently said, “What you’ve come through is like a miracle in itself.” And honestly, getting my health to this point does feel miraculous. In many ways, I knew it was possible, but at times, it really didn’t feel like it. I’m not 100% healed, but I’m well enough to go on this trip. The rest will come in time.

Here’s to Woolfie and all your wonderful dogs, making life special 🐾

Living Norwegianly: Micro Adventures, Epic Experiences

Very low hormone flare-ups have curtailed many of my summer dreams. It’s been sad and frustrating, but it's also made me rethink how I spend and value my time. I’m now channeling my energy into making each day count—corny, but true ;)

This means I've embraced micro-adventures: short, local, simple, and affordable adventures that are fun, exciting, refreshing, and rewarding (and sometimes challenging).

These mini-adventures require minimal time, effort, and energy, but offer maximum experience, happiness, and healing/recharging.

When I lived in London, micro-adventures became popular thanks to adventurer Al Humphreys. We’d squeeze in fun adventures between work, like sleeping in the city’s parks, canoeing the Thames, or camping on the beach. They broke up the hustle and monotony of city life.

In Norway, micro-adventuring is on a different level.

Within an hour, I can canoe on a mountain-surrounded lake, camp on or under mountains, hike to precariously perched cliffside cabins, ski to remote spots, or light bonfires under the stars (one time, our sausages were freezing quicker then they were cooking!). The possibilities are endless!

I started micro-adventuring last summer after breaking up with my boyfriend. Falling for the facade of adventurous, we never really went exploring.

I very quickly realized I didn’t need him, and I didn’t need to wait for another man to explore Norway’s wilderness. I could do it on my own! Since then, I’ve never looked back.

My adventures got even better last Autumn when I got my husky puppy, Woolfie. She’s given me even more motivation and courage to get out there, as I want her life to be filled with incredible experiences too.

In winter, on skis, we chased sunsets and sunrises, slept on mountaintops, and camped under the Northern Lights. If it was -15 and below, well, that just added to the magic.

As my health continues to recover this summer, we’re keeping our micro-adventures going. With a blow-up tent and a very light tent, we’re ready. But if the weather’s good and there are no bugs (very important), sleeping in my sleeping bag is my favourite.

One summer goal was to take Woolfie canoeing.

After a rough day on Monday , I DM’d my best friend, Bobina. She’s my go-to Bob The Builder and much better looking ;) I’ve discovered all Norwegians are immensely practical - only being able to hang pictures using sticky hooks is frowned upon (oops).

That evening, we were floating in a canoe on a lake, surrounded by forested mountains with the sun beaming down upon us.

We had nowhere to go and nowhere to be, apart from floating on the lake. We felt the peacefulness of the lake washing over us, taking our worries away.

Woolfie is not a fan of swimming. She is very reluctant to go into water above her belly. So I was pleasantly surprised that after covering Bobina in dirty lake water, she took to canoe life like a pro!

With her cute pink life jacket on, she was very content watching the world go by. Mesmerized by the water sailing past us, and the swinging paddles. Occasionally taking gulps of fresh glacial water off the side!

Another summer goal was to sleep outside with just the inner tent. So you can still feel the breeze and see the stars, but without the bugs (very important).

Last Thursday, I decided it was time. Woolfie and I drove to the Hallingskarvet mountain range after work.

This mountain is my pilgrimage spot. It has helped me heal from heartbreak. Now it’s helping me feel alive - just to a different soundtrack. I’ve gone from Greta Van Fleet to Faye Wildhagen (I’m obsessed after Vinjerock).

We found a great campsite 3-minutes from the gravel road. We could hear the goats’ bells as we made tea. This took me an embarrassingly 30-minutes and call a friend, as I struggled to light the stove - who knew petrol had a sell-by date?

I love nature, but I also enjoy escaping into other worlds. Camping, even in -20°C, I bring my iPad, speaker, and a downloaded film. It’s such a treat!

As I watched Free Guy (who doesn’t like Ryan Reynolds? ;) ), I dipped my fruit and nut chocolate in hot tea, to the backdrop of the sun setting behind Hallingskarvet.

In the morning, we walked down the gravel road to my friend's farm cafe, Prestholtseter. In the glorious morning sunshine, I drank coffee and read my book.

Micro adventures in Norway may be short, local, simple, and cheap, but the experiences and memories are macro.

They’ve healed and empowered me, making sucky days and weeks feel special.

If things go wrong or I’m unhappy, I can always drive home and be in bed within an hour. Something I totally did last year with zero regrets.

Snakkes, Adelaide x

Rocking Out In The Mountains!

It feels so good to be able to live my life a little more to the full now the PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder caused by chronically low hormones) is slowly fading away.

So when the opportunity arose to grab a last minute ticket to a unique Norwegian festival, you bet I went for it! AND it so happened one of my favourite girlfriends was going too! 

Nestled between 2000m peaks in Jotunheimen for a few days in July are hundreds of colourful tents and lavoos (teepees). They overlook a huge lake that looks tropical in the sun, but will rejuvenate any weary festival go-er with its freezing waters!

Welcome to Vinjerock - only Norwegians could pull off a brilliant adventure music festival in the middle of nowhere!

They allow dogs, although not encouraged, and as I couldn’t find a dog sitter, Woolfie joined us!

My period arrived a weekly early, so I really wasn’t sure how this was going to go… I knew it would more of a chill vibe for me, rather than girl gone wild!

I went in with zero expectations, but with so much hope for fun, dancing and adventure.

Once I blew up my tent (yes, you heard me right - instead of tent poles, you blow it up!), I started the festival like everyone else: with a 3-hour nap!

I woke up just in time to help my friend and her friend pitch their palace tent (it was enormous). 

My friend and I met at a ski festival earlier this year and she’s such a badass on the split board, so let’s call her Badass Girl.

After walking Woolfie I tied her to my tent - in hindsight not the best idea - and we went to checkout the music.

The first night Woolfie did super well, the following night an old shoe was a casualty, the next night was her pink water bowl. Another night, I was also shocked to find my tent in a sad deflated pile! Thankfully she just pulled a valve and the tent was fine, after that I tied her by my tent in the bushes, which she loved!

During the day we hiked in the most spectacular weather (best of the summer so far!), made new friends, went wine tasting, bathed in the lake, and spent our evenings listening and dancing to all kinds of music - from rock to pop and heavy metal.

Some of the music really wasn’t to my taste - the heavy mental was too much for me and the lead singer was right on brand looking like a zombie! 

The last night was spectacular and made me remember how powerful live music can really be.

Faye Wildhagen channelled her music in the most beautiful and electric way as the sun was setting behind the mountains. I could feel it beating through my heart. She was beyond amazing. I haven’t stopped listening to her songs ohmygod and Reason.

Arif Murakami followed and was super cool. 

I really went into his performance with the intention of being in and fully embracing my wild feminine ways, and his music activated it in magical ways.

We were packed in like sardines under the fresh mountain midnight air, and his rap music with a heavy bass vibrated through us. The way he channelled and directed his music was incredible.

Here’s an extract of what I shared with my coach:

“As I was dancing, I was seeing my divine feminine completely spread out from me in a kind of diamond cut shape, in pinks, blues and gold spirals. I really felt an abundance of love, that I was also spreading out to everyone. 

What was also really cool is that over the hour I had three men say, “Hey, I see you’re being pushed, let me shield you", and they protected me from all the shoving with zero expectations of anything in return!”

Talking of men… Woolfie proved very popular with the men and the ladies. She acted like an absolute princess, holding her heard high with a very proud look whole being adorned with affection. 

Baddass Girl and I noticed Woolfie was a great hunk magnet, but we soon realised they doted on Woolfie and ignored us! So not as helpful as we’d hoped!

There were a lot of drunk festival go-ers coming up to us, and they were so polite, always asking if it was ok to stroke her. I am always amazed by how much the Norwegians drink. I mostly gave up drinking over 10 years ago when I was unwell the first time, and now just have the occasional drink. Since rebalancing my hormones, I haven’t had anything in 8 months. So being surrounded by very drunk (and high) people for 4 days was insightful! Thankfully the Norwegians are kind and well behaved, so I never felt uncomfortable or unsafe.

I did enjoy some cider (big thank you to my friends who split pints with me!) and we went wine tasting, which was such fun! 

You may have also heard the stereotypical Norwegian as being shy/aloof, unwelcoming and hard to make friends with. This can be true, but when they’re in the mountains they’re very friendly and fun! We had no problems making friends and collecting new skiers for the winter season shenanigans! 

To make friends quickly in Norway, I blow past all Norwegian social rules, and just invite myself on trips or invite Norwegians I’ve just met for coffee or on adventures, offering to help out with local events, whatever it takes if I like the person!

However, I have learned that I would rather be a little lonely or have few friends who share my values, than have friends who don’t share my values and I don’t completely vibe with. 

Not having someone to do something with has never stopped me from enjoying life. I have travelled, lived and worked all over the world on my own, and I can assure you, that you always meet people along the way that enhance your experience! Or get a dog, they’re truly wonderful for company :) 

Snakkes, Adelaide x

Hiking Cabin To Cabin, The Norwegian Way

Me: "You can’t just make up mountain names!”

My Norwegian friend who we’ll call Adventure Man (he’s a rad adventurer): “What do you think I just said?”

Me: *To my ear, I proceed to perfectly repeat the mountain name Adventure Man just said*

Adventure Man: *laughs uncontrollably* “Now, that is gobbledygook.”

My friends constantly tease my Norwegian pronunciation and Englishness, and I gave them 4 days worth of opportunities while we hiked cabin to cabin (or hytte til hytte) in Jotunheimen!

This is one of the most wonderful things about Norwegians, their sense of humour (especially sarcasm) is on the same level as the Brits’!

One of the cabins we were staying at kept forgetting I was gluten free and presented me with a FROZEN loaf of bread in the morning to make sandwiches with (cabins provide you with food at breakfast to make sandwiches with for your lunch while hiking).

It was rock solid frozen with all of the slices stuck together. In my head I thought, in what world am I meant to make edible sandwiches from frozen bread?

My sense of humour flatlined at 8AM, so on presentation of this frozen loaf of bread I said, ‘thank you, but that does not help me’.

This one sentence provided endless entertainment for my friends during our trip! It was grown vastly out of proportion! We were soon doing Queens English and flicking our wrist at things we jokingly disapproved of - but as I write this, maybe it’s a joke you have to be there for!?

When I’m with my ski crew, I always know my days will be filled with belly aching laughter.

On this cabin to cabin, we were three Norwegians, one Brit, two dogs and a barrel of laughs hiking through streams, across rocks and over mountains in rain or shine. Blissfully disconnected from the outside world (most of Jotunheimen is a dark sport for internet and signal). Each day deciding which DNT cabin to visit next.

You get full serviced DNT cabins like Gjendebu and Skogadalsbøen, which means they provide all of your food (breakfast and 3-course dinner, and you make your own lunch from breakfast foods) a bed or a room (either it’s your choice or depends on what’s left - you can book or just turn up, they will never turn you away), or self-serviced cabins like Olavsbu (there may or may not be a host, you get a bed or room, there is long lasting food, cooking equipment and you cook whatever meal you fancy for yourself).

We were hiking with Woolfie’s best friend, who’s a Samoyed (a.k.a super cute fluffy white cloud!), and as they’re both Arctic dogs, we just tied them up outside for the night - which they loved. But you also get dog friendly rooms at an extra cost throughout the DNT cabin system.

Our focus for this adventure was fun, so we went fast and light, choosing to take only the essentials and rely on the cabins for food and shelter. Maybe our bags weighed 10kg, and we hiked at an enjoyable pace of about 20KM a day, climbing around 600-1000m. 

Woolfie also had her own adventure bag and carried 240g! She looked so cute and loved having this as a job! As she gets older, she’ll be able to carry about 4kg!

I was also thankful to have chucked in a packet of Real Turmat just in case (it’s a brand of dried camping food you add hot water too, which I think tastes really good!), as the ski crew at Olavsbu tried to persuade me giant tins of potato and meat were very tasty, but I strongly disagreed.

Woolfie is particular about her food, so apparently we’re now as fussy as each other. I prefer to think we just have particularly good taste ;) 

One evening we also discovered that our friend has been masquerading as a vegetarian. He confused Adventure Man and the cabin’s receptionist by ordering a non-veggie meal - so ‘normal’… He’s called Non-Veggie Man from now on.

We then realised since we’d known Non-Veggie Man, we’ve never seen him eat vegetarian! He proved us wrong on the last day by ordering a veggie burger!

Non-Veggie Man provides us with endless entertainment and we rib him as much as he ribs us. Not only did we uncover that he is a non-veggie, but also a sore loser!

All DNT cabins have areas you can chillax in after a long day in the mountains, and Gjendebu’s is particularly charming. They also provide various board games, so we started playing Uno after an early dinner. 

Non-Veggie Man’s animation from losing, albeit hilarious to us, did not please all of our chillaxing neighbours. He drove one couple to get up in a huff and have to take to deep breathes by the serene lake to calm down! (we’re guessing the last part, but we did see them standing by the lake after, and this anecdote was far more amusing to us!).

Other nights we sat outside eating candy and chocolate, drinking solbaer (Norway’s version of a hot Ribena), watching the sun set and laughing at each other.

We also bathed in cool glacier fed lakes to renew ourselves and topped up our drinking water as we went - it’s all pristine, so you can just drink straight from the stream!

The inner peace one finds as you move through the land of the giants is divine. 

I loved what Kate Murphy said the other day, “magic exists everywhere, whether you choose to seek it and see it, can change the entire course of your life.” 

Imagination, intuition, inner sight or visions, whatever you wish to call it, operates on the quantum plane, and all holds the same power.

During this hike I really allowed my imagination to open up, I talked to nature’s elements, conversed with the streams, the birds, the butterflies; grounded myself in the local plants and by feeling the sand between my toes, cleansed myself in the waters. The messages and visions I received were wonderful and very helpful.

The weather on the fourth day took a turn and forecasted torrential rain for the next few days. We went from mostly blue skies to dark ominous clouds, so we decided to cut our trip short and head for home.

Adventure Man has a mental running rating of burgers in the Sogndal area and the Turtagrø Hotel’s burger is so far head and shoulders above the rest.

Using this big juicy burger has motivation to quickly cover 20KM. We were feeling very smug with our decision to head for home, as we walked the last 5KM head first into driving wind and rain at Leirvassbu.

However, as we sat down at Turtagrø with our heavenly burgers, the weather did another 180o.

It was now sun, light wind and rain for the next few days - you never know what the mountains will do! But with some of us feeling under the weather and with inconsistent weather from ok to miserable, we decided to definitely go home.

This was my first multi-day cabin to cabin trip and we (Woolfie and I) LOVED IT. I’m looking forward to exploring more of these rocky pathways and splendid cabins with Woolfie and friends in the near future!

Although what we’re all REALLY excited about is the ski season! We saw ample opportunities for rando/topptur day and multi-day trips, where you could use some of these cabins as bases! So while I don’t wish the summer away, I’m also thinking bring on the winter!

Snakkes (chat soon), Adelaide x

P.S. Here was our itinerary:

Day 1: Leirvassbu to Skogadalsbøen, 20KM + 244m elevation gain

Day 2: Skogadalsbøen to Olavsbu, 19KM + 1000m elevation gain

Day 3: Olavsbu to Gjendebu, 16KM + 98m elevation gain

Day 4: Gjendebu to Leirvassbu, 21KM + 680m elevation gain

Welcome to my new weekly column: Living Norwegianly

I am asked this question by every Norwegian I meet:

How did a London girl end up in Norway?

Every Norwegian is perplexed as to how on earth a girl who spent a lot of her twenties in London, ended up in Norway outside of Bergen and Oslo.

Most people move to Norway (usually Oslo or Bergen) because their partner is Norwegian, or as a Swedish or Dutch couple they want a safer environment with more mountains.

And most people avoid Norway because they hear it’s terribly expensive!

Very few move from a city of almost 9 million to a tiny remote village of about 3,500 people on their own without a Norwegian based job.

A few years ago that’s exactly what I did.

Has it been easy?

Far from it.

I’ve actually moved back to the UK twice - once I got stuck at home due to C*vid. The other time I had a breakdown due to the most horrendous experiences with Norwegian flat mates and landlords.

I’ve been bullied to the point of panic attacks, illegally evicted within 24 hours, unwittingly signed illegal rental contracts which inevitably went very wrong, had my landlords steal my mail, heating turned off in -30, mis-sold cars, and had my life threatened by the landlord’s other tenant who we’re 99% sure was a drug dealer, and spent a lot of money getting myself out of these various situations. Some of my friends have said I was cursed because of how crazy this stuff has been.

I’ve fallen in love, had my heartbroken. 

And my hormones plummeted to almost menopausal levels, resulting in suicidal thoughts, extreme pain and fatigue for 2-3 weeks of the month for almost 2 years.

And this isn’t even all the stuff that’s happened.

So why have I kept coming back and stayed?

Well, the strange thing is, because of all this sh*t, I now KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that I want to call Norway my forever home.

Although some of the worst things in my life have happened in Norway and I’ve encountered more unpleasant people here than anywhere else, I’ve also experienced the very best.

In one season here, I live a life time of pure magic.

Living in Norway means that I can cross-country, alpine or rando ski every day during the winter. Or hike and bike in the summer. I can see the northern lights in my backyard on a random Tuesday night. I can grab my sleeping bag in -20 and sleep under the stars at the top of a mountain on a Thursday. At 5.30AM I can ski to a summit in just 1.5 hours with a friend and watch the sun transform the snow into purples and oranges before work. I can go to a adventure music festival with my dog and friends in the middle of nowhere for a long weekend, and so much more!

And I’m gathering friends who are as adventure crazy as I am. Every week I recieve messages like;

“Hey, do you want to go biking, hiking and then bum board down this mountain this weekend?”

“Hei, want to go biking, hiking and skiing all in one day in shorts and tee on Sunday?”

“Hei, I have a spare ticket to a music and adventure festival in the mountains next month, wanna come?”

“Want to join us on a cabin to cabin trip in Jotunheiman in July? We’ll pack fast and light”

“Hey, the weather looks good Monday, want to bring Woolfie and SUP?"

This May, we even skied amazing slush and then headed down to my friend’s farm by the fjord where it was 26o. We sunbathed, watched their sheep and ate amazing food together until the sun went down.

This life I’m living right now, with all these mind-blowing experiences, wonderful friends, and abundant feelings has been on my manifestation board for years - and not only is it manifesting in ways better than I expected, but in the last few months it just keeps getting better and better.

And what makes it extra special is I’m now doing it with my husky, Woolfie. Something I’ve wished for since I was 4 having watched the Disney film Balto. I watched it so many times, I’m surprised the tape didn’t wear out.

Does this mean everything is now easy and in place? Well no…

I’ve not worked full time on my business for almost 2 years because of the hormone issue. This is now changing and The Wild Collective is awesome - I am so psyched by what I’m now creating and how it’s supporting my clients!

My hormones are still in the tank, but we have a plan and I should start to experience a signficant shift soon.

I’ve managed to keep most of my strength and fitness from my Ironman days, so that’s cool.

And I’ve been in therapy for 8 months. I no longer have suicidal thoughts, which is my biggest win. I’m on a break now, as my coach is on maternity leave, but you bet we’ll be starting again when she’s back, so I continue to grow, heal and live my best life. It’s the only way.

ALL of this has made me a better human being and coach/psychologist. I’ve delved deep into my shadows and healed on a level and in ways I didn’t know existed.

So why am I writing this weekly column called Living Norwegianly?

I read a book about 10 years ago called ‘A Year of Living Danishly’, a funny glimpse into uncovering the Dane’s secrets of living happily.

And I knew then that I wanted to write something similar.

A lot of the content produced on living in Norway I can’t relate to. 

It’s always around Norwegians being unfriendly (I can relate partly to this!), not having anything fun to do, dark sad winters, loneliness, expensive (don’t get me wrong, it’s not cheap, it’s basically London prices which I’m used to), bad food (more valid than these other points) and a sucky dating life (I feel this isn’t isolated to Norway from chatting with my girlfriends!).

The filter I experience Norway through isn’t quite like this. 

Living Norwegianly is my unique experience on living, funnily enough, in Norway - it will be a honest, raw and hopefully humorous account on my day to day life here, as an adventurous single woman, running her own online coaching business, with a badass husky as her best friend - although fingers crossed I find a hunky, mentally healthy viking soon - if you know of any send them my way!

This will be a weekly column, but if you want to see what else I get up to and my work, give me a follow on Instagram: @Adelaidegoodeve

I’m looking forward to sharing my adventures with you :)

Snakkes (chat later), Adelaide x