Trip Report Njardarheimr Viking Village 2018

[Dreadhead]

Another year, another Norwegian adventure. This years viking market was held in the new Njardarheimr viking village. I couldn't resist heading over again to 'Pict' about and catch up with my viking friends.
It was a packed week for me, teaching vikingage leatherworking until midnight every night, meeting new folk, rowing viking boats, going full Doric in the international storytelling challenge, fjord swimming, and enjoying the atmosphere with Einar Selvik from Wardruna performing which was incredible. But even more so for us was one of our favourite bands Krauka, which was a total surprise to us, so much so that we became instant wee fan girls. It seems to just whizz past and before I know it i'm back in Scotland.

IMG_20180727_091411_277 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180718_002433_390 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180719_141348_931 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180721_101051_040 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180721_182251_507 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr

IMG_20180716_182601_564 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
dipping in the fjord when it got too hot

IMG_20180715_223242_507 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
tired Pictish feet

IMG_20180723_180444_080 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180725_081322_196 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180725_081322_197 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180725_081322_198 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180725_081322_199 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180725_081322_201 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180725_081322_202 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180725_081322_205 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180725_081322_210 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180725_081322_213 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
IMG_20180725_081322_238 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr


IMAG0886 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
I was fascinated watching Mikal making these sandals in about half an hour. Is it wrong that i prefer them over a leather shoe?!?

IMG_20180717_184416_812 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
watching new traders coming in

TBC

 

[Dreadhead]

IMG_20180719_141534_970 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
I'm in love with this pan/pot I bought from Sebastian Drost, a dutch blacksmith. I cleared out quite a lot of his stock throughout the week ^^

IMG_20180721_013412_141 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
making a quick sheath for a friend
IMG_20180721_013412_145 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr

IMG_20180721_181045_646 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
the key to market stamina, sneak in a nap whenever you have a spare five minutes!

IMG_20180723_102810_529 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
new pliers for my historic kit, also from Drost

IMG_20180724_092809_261 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
out for a wee row

IMG_20180719_121310_201 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
sock troubles...

IMG_20180722_213816_057 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
team HalfGoat

IMG_20180721_012523_831 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
Krauka playing right next to my stall and me hitting fan girl levels

IMG_20180721_012523_829 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr

IMG_20180722_031634_777 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr
Krauka concert

VID_430961002_140735_291 by Hamish Odinson, on Flickr



All in all, another fun adventure, and looking forward to improving for next year.

 

[bopdude]

Looks like another great and successful trip, how did you get you and your kit there, did I read last year it was a van ?

 

[Janne]

Looks like a lot, lot of fun!

Did you eat any traditional, (age appropriate) food?

 

[Dreadhead]

Looks like another great and successful trip, how did you get you and your kit there, did I read last year it was a van ?

haha if only i had such luxury! nope, fly over with it all. 20kg tent on my back, everything else in suitcases. luckily my wooden furniture i keep at a friends farm close to gudvangen

 

[Janne]

Did you ever visit Lofotr in Borg?

 

[Dreadhead]

Looks like a lot, lot of fun!

Did you eat any traditional, (age appropriate) food?

Nothing other than soup, stew, and bread really. I tend to be far too busy teaching to think about food.

as to your other comment below, havent been to lofoten yet but it's on my list. We did go south to visit the small viking village on Karmoy near Haugesund and that was lovely, great atmosphere to it and the builds there are all authentic unlike Gudvangen.

 

[Janne]

If you can, go! The Lofotr Viking longhouse museum is really interesting. They have craftsmen there, you would fit in beautifully with your skills.
Another Forum member used to work there.
I must have met him or at least seen him working.

The Viking Festival there is quite famous! Lots of crazy Russians!

 

[Robson Valley]

Thank you. I can sense the age from your photographs. Nothing remotely like that here.
Do you know how old iron work is in that region?
Would leather have come from cattle in that day and time?

 

[Janne]

If you do not mind, Dreadhead, I will chime in.

Iron has been 'mined' in the form of Bog Iron (nodules) for a couple of thousand years. Some findings/analysis of iron objects indicate around 500 BC.

Many low grade Norse Swords were made locally, from this 'primitive' material.
Better/more expensive ones were made locally from imported material ( ingots, or remade other iron/steel objects)
A step up in quality again, those were imported from Europe, ready made
The Ferrari of swords, the famous Ulfberth swords, were made in a Frankish monastery (imported) somewhere in Rhineland. Early ones were from pattern welded steel, later were made from crucible steel, some even from some exotic steel originating in Asia or India.
Household knives and allround blades ( think Mora) were made from all sort of scraps.



Leather: During the Norse era, leather was made from all domesticated animals ( cow, sheep, pigs) and wild animals, so moose, Reindeer, deer, (possibly fish), seals, walrus (once Greenland was settled)

 

[crosslandkelly]

Great trip report Hamish, looks like you thoroughly enjoyed your time there.

 

[dwardo]

Stunning pics. Scale of those hills must a be a daily amazement.

 

[Dreadhead]

If you do not mind, Dreadhead, I will chime in.

Iron has been 'mined' in the form of Bog Iron (nodules) for a couple of thousand years. Some findings/analysis of iron objects indicate around 500 BC.

Many low grade Norse Swords were made locally, from this 'primitive' material.
Better/more expensive ones were made locally from imported material ( ingots, or remade other iron/steel objects)
A step up in quality again, those were imported from Europe, ready made
The Ferrari of swords, the famous Ulfberth swords, were made in a Frankish monastery (imported) somewhere in Rhineland. Early ones were from pattern welded steel, later were made from crucible steel, some even from some exotic steel originating in Asia or India.
Household knives and allround blades ( think Mora) were made from all sort of scraps.



Leather: During the Norse era, leather was made from all domesticated animals ( cow, sheep, pigs) and wild animals, so moose, Reindeer, deer, (possibly fish), seals, walrus (once Greenland was settled)

couldn't have put it better myself

 

[Dreadhead]

I was sent this photo of myself and Colin, another leatherworker from the states. We had a lot of fun swapping tips and techniques over the week

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

 

[Janne]

Take this advice from a guy encoaching 60:

Do not change your lifestyle. You look happy!

 

[Dreadhead]

Take this advice from a guy encoaching 60:

Do not change your lifestyle. You look happy!

haha absolutely thanks