Day 16 - Visit to Årvik Farm in Southern Tysvær - Sat., Dec. 29, 2001

    The large central portion of the Tysvær municipality might be viewed as something close to an island. This stretch of imagination makes sense when one considers that it is bordered on the east side by the Hervik fjord that runs north and turns into the Skoldafjord. At some point this latter body of water turns in to the Grindefjord which runs then to the west. Going south from the west end of Grindefjord there is some land broken by one long lake, and then the Førlandsfjord begins and runs south until it opens up onto the huge Boknafjord that is open to the sea. The Slogvik farm is on the east edge of this "island." 

    On this day, Einar would drive Keith down to the very southern tip of this central Tysvær area to visit the Årvik farm. Here we would be met by Alf Aarvik who would show us around the area. We had met Alf & his  wife, Emily, earlier at the historical society meeting (Day 6). Emily was ill and could not be with us this day. 

    Keith wanted to learn more about this historic farm and take some photos to send to some folks in Texas whom he had been helping.  Keith and Alf share a common prominent ancestor, Daniel Rasmussen Hapnes/Fosen (1616-1667).  Daniel's son Jon settled in Årvik, while Keith's ancestor, Daniel's son Karl,  settled in Ohm in Vats (north of Nedstrand).

    This day was probably one of the coldest, grayest days that we had during our visit - too cold for Keith to take good notes on what Alf told him. We present these photos with just what Keith remembers. Hopefully we can get Alf, Emily and Einar to correct any mistakes and add to the descriptions and history related to these pictures.  We also wonder how this area would appear on a warm summer day - we suspect it would be much, much more picturesque then.

Here Alf & Einar meet in the driveway in front of the Aarvik home on Bruk (or sub farm) number 2. 

Looking west from this driveway, we can see the 2 stacks of the huge Kårstø natural gas complex on the horizon center.

High noon over Årvik. The
mid-day sun shows through
the frigid clouds over the "vik" (or cove) here at the southern edge of Tysvær kommune. 

Alf takes us on a walk west, back on the road on which we just came. He points out areas of historical interest like the the old mill that has been moved from the river and now can just be seen in the trees at far right.

Walking further on into Bruk 1, we come closer to the large white 2 story house that was the main place of the old "whole" farm. It was here that the bailiff lived in the old days and Alf pointed out that the window on the upper right was to the room that functioned as the holding jail.

Here is the other side of this historic building.  It is not a fulltime residence currently, but a summer place.

Alf & Einar stand on the bridge with the old bridge & barn to the left. Alf tells us how iron ore used to be brought down from the higher country. 

Seen from the bridge, the Årvik river here runs into the sea. The old mill used to be located here.

Here Einar & Alf continue our discussion of history on our way back. Alf & Emily's home can be seen in the background to the left of Einar; Årvik Mountain is further back and more to the left.

An interesting thing happened here. We were discussing this rather ancient history out on this cold road and then a phone rang. Alf & Einar both dug for their cell phones, but Alf won the draw and found it was for him.

As we enter the very warm & comfortable Aarvik home, we are greeted with something we have noticed in many Norwegian homes - and that is wonderful old family photographs often arranged to show the genealogy of the family.

Here Keith gets Alf to pose by their Christmas tree. More recent family photos are on the wall behind him.

Alf & Einar stand by the large windows in the living room that give a spectacular view.

Sitting up like a prairie dog, the Aavik cat asks to be let in from the cold.

It is now time to leave Årvik and gracious "cousin" Alf and head back to Slogvik.

Driving back west, we soon come to the big industrial complex at Kårstø. From here we will drive north west to the Hetland farm where Einar has some business, and then we will make the loop back to Slogvik. [A view of Kårstø as seen from the sea, courtesy of our favorite web site, haugalandet.net]

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