Key Vest-Ø, Amdals Verk, Telemark

A sandy beach that moved us.

We love exploring to find quirky, genuine places, and on our recent trip to the fabulous Birdbox on Amlivatn lake, as we were checking it out on the map, we spotted this place and were intrigued. Key West in Norway? Hmmm.. And, to be fair, there isn´t much geographical similarity, but as they say in Norwegian “herregud” what a place – especially, if you share my interest in lake bathing!

So, arriving earlier than check-in time we thought we´d check it out. Only opened last year, the access road doesn´t show as drivable on Google maps, but it is!

Basically the local community have rolled their collective sleeves up and according to the local press, at the time it was opened last summer, had put in a collective effort of around 750 hours hard graft to make the place what it is. Trees were cut down, the area landscaped, a toilet cabin brought in from elsewhere (that doubles as a free library no less!) access points to the water for all and various seating and viewing areas for socialising and general enjoyment set up.

And, if you are wondering about the name – well, apparently, the area used to be called Vestø and a tiny dot of an island “offshore” is said to resemble Cuba, so there, with some creative imagination the name appeared. While not as hot or humid as it´s namesake, it´s a place that definitely gave off positive vibes of a great community spirit and what a fab initiative for locals and vistors alike! We loved it, although personally I´m not sure about the plastic palms!

Location: https://bit.ly/3DkflU1

Siloen, gifts & coffee shop, Telemark

Now I know where this shop is I don´t think I can drive straight past again

Found another must stop spot on the E134, this time just west of the town of Seljord, literally on the main road. It´s full of charm and, not really a silo for bulk storage, more an Aladdin´s cave for some of the nicest things I´ve seen gathered in one place for a long time including products for children, kitchens and interiors generally.

Once you´ve wound your way from room to room around the spacious, atmospheric building, that looks out over a farm building and garden, saying not more than once “ooh, look at this…” you come back to the entrance where you can order a drink and a bite to eat. Many of the products are eco-friendly, organic and/or based on fair trade and it´s just a fab stop on an otherwise heavily trafficked main road.

Not only that, but if nature calls, they have the cutest guest toilet I´ve ever seen in a shop, with a basket for individual towels and a creative solution for showing whether the look is occupied or not!

For opening times I suggest you check with the shop directly, but standard opening times appear to be 10-17 Mon-Fri and 10-15 Sat.

Location:

https://bit.ly/3Dmcha3

Website:

https://www.siloen.no/

Mjonøy bakery, Telemark

Do not drive past this place without stopping!

The E134 is a well trafficked road that cuts the country from Haugesund on the west coast to the east side of the Oslo tunnel. Now roadside cafés and pitstops can be hit and miss in Norway and you can get a bit (a lot) fed up of petrol station burgers and hot dogs, but holey moley if you are going this way – stop here! Near Vinje, Mjonøy is a bakery, café, picnic area, handicrafts shop and toilets all in one and is several notches above aforementioned roadside transport cafés.

The bakery itself was charm personified – unmanned and at the time we were there with Covid-induced reduced access – but the “skolebrød” buns were the best my experienced eater-of-such husband had ever had and the bread was delicious. Not only that, but there´s good parking, sheltered picnic tables a plenty wedged between the cute buildings and the river and to top it all you can stay overnight there (for what looks like reasonable rates) in one of the old rustic, cabins. You don´t even need to do a detour as it is right on the E134.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/KHitSC6fnUhPED2L6

Website: https://visithaukeli.com/mjonoy/en/

Lovatnet lake, Vestland

Every bit as stunning as all the Instagram photos show

Lovatnet lake, Loen, Norway, was ticked off the list this summer and was every bit as stunning as all the Instagram photos show. This is taken from the top end near where the water flows in from the Birksdal glacier and the rock flour particles make the water look a surreally intense turquiose. 

It really has to be seen to be believed and is a must-see, despite the fact that it is quite popular and you do need patience to drive along the narrow road hoping you don´t meet anyone between passing places. 

Places to stay: There are some lakeside camp sites which had great locations but looked packed as we drove past. We stayed in a lovely Airbnb apartment in nearby Stryn but the owner is switching to long term rentals so there´s no point me recommending it. Some of the hotels we went past looked a little jaded so if I was going again, and I definitely would go back, I´d go back to Airbnb to find an alternative.

Location: https://bit.ly/3yhCxi4