Åsnes, Flekkefjord & Hidra - Norway

Norge (Norway)	Flekkefjord and Hidra are along the southern fjord-lined coast of Norway.	Flekkefjord (right top) nestles in a fjord valley. Hidra (center lower) is an island off the coast, accessed via ferry. Åsnes (left center) is also seen on this map, where Signe's home is located.	Kirkehamn, along the western side of Hidra, is where Grandma's village is located with the church she attended as a child and young woman.	Åsnes, the beautiful setting where Signe's home (red roof) is located.
Signe's home and property in this lovely vale.	Signe at home (Åsnes)	Signe by her pond
	When you climb a short distance over a hill, you look out on this fjord scene.	Flekkefjord straddles the fjord.	Flekkefjord, Norway	Flekkefjord, Norway
Flekkefjord	Flekkefjord from a hillside			When I saw this on the back of a parked trailer beside the Flekkefjord sign, it freaked me out until I learned "Russ" referred to a Norwegian high school graduating class tradition. Still, it seemed especially appropriate to me.
Mainland ferry landing for the Hidrasund ferry.		Mainland ferry landing	Signe and Russ waiting for the ferry to Hidra. (2004)	All aboard!
	Across the fjord, Hidra waits.	Crossing the fjord	School children on an outing to Hidra
	Approaching Hidra			Hidra, Norway
Hidra, Norway			Grandma's old postcard view of Kirkehamn, the village of Hidra from which she emigrated to the United States. The church she attended, Hidra kirke, is a landmark.	Hidra kirke, the church on Hidra that Grandma attended as a child and young woman.
	Hidra kirke, the church -- Hidra, Norway	Russ at the door of Hidra kirke.	Signe	Graveyard and memorial site next to Hidra Church.
Signe points to her uncle's name, Hans E. Hansen, who was killed when an Italian submarine torpedoed his ship during World War II.	Interior of Hidra kirke	Altar and pulpit, Hidra Church, Hidra, Norway
Russ standing at the font where Grandma was christened.		Interior of Hidra Church
A ship is an ancient symbolic representation of the church found in most Scandinavian churches.	Balcony on the second floor of Hidra kirke.
			Above this peaceful scene, on the hill, the Nazis built fortifications against a supposed British invasion of occupied Norway in World War II.
	Originally an ice house, Isbua is a quaint restaurant across the harbor from Hidra Church.	Interior of Isbua, the former ice house converted to a restaurant on the Hidra harbor.		Signe with the Isbua chef
Signe rests at the grave of her grandfather, Olof Mandius Bernhard Hansen, who was also the brother of Godfreda and my grand uncle.			We climb the hill where the Nazis built their World War II fortifications during the occupation.	The remains of the Nazi occupation and fortifications are crumbling but still evident.
		Remains of Nazi fortifications.	Sheep graze here now -- a much better use of such a beautiful place.	Sheep safely graze where war intruded in the 1940s.
			The view of the harbor entrance is stunning! Hidra Church can bee seen on the right.	Leaving Hidra after one of the most moving experiences. It was like leaving home, in a very strange way.

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