**If you'd like to join my Summer Stash-tacular Giveaway, click here... Winners will be announced this Friday, July 3rd!**
Dear Husband and I are lucky to live by the coast...a 10 minute walk from our house and we are by the sea! This past weekend though, we thought we'd take a day trip and experience the sea at a couple of coastal towns about one hour south of us. We took in the sights, sounds, tastes, and more of the towns of Larvik and Stavern. Take a little look at Larvik with us...
Pier at Larvik...
Antiques shop with fantastic wood characters and masthead...
Picturesque street scene...
Sun-Spirit-illuminated church spire...
Colin Archer's house at Tollerodden, Larvik... now a summer cafe...
The 6th European Beach Handball Championship was taking place in Larvik...here are some men practicing before a match...
Dear Husband took the camera...and photographed me while I took a peek in the Larvik guidebook... and enjoyed some shade from the heat of the sun...
It is unusually HOT, HOT, HOT here in Norway just now... on Saturday we were boiling in the sun while we were out & about. Before leaving Larvik, we made a necessary stop at Bakeriet, a fun bakery/cafe chain here in Norway, for pistachio Italian gelato and drink to refuel...
Tomorrow we'll take you to Stavern! Wishing you all a happy new week! :o)
Ohh, this gelato look lovely. Do you think it would melt if you sent it to your friend, in Wi? Hee. ; )
Posted by: Christina | June 29, 2009 at 04:37 AM
Larvik looked like a very pretty town, Tracy. I liked the flowers near the pier, and your photograph of the sun above the steeple.
Glad you had an enjoyable weekend!
Hugs, Pat
Posted by: Pat | June 29, 2009 at 05:19 AM
Sounds like a lovely day! Gorgeous photos! :)
Posted by: tattingchic | June 29, 2009 at 06:13 AM
Love the style of the houses. Have a great time!
Posted by: alaine | June 29, 2009 at 06:31 AM
Hello Tracy, now that is something I thought I'll never read you complaining -hot,hot and hot :) and I thought it's perpetually cold over there..but glad the sun's up. We are boiling every day here and wishing for some rain and cold...As expected, stunning photography!! I had a peek at that EOS 450, great camera!! Husband settled for another brand so I am happy now, otherwise..I'll be whinning about no camera for the next few posts...love ya, hugs...M
Posted by: M.Kate | June 29, 2009 at 07:42 AM
What a beautiful place! I especially love your photo of the steeple and the sun. This sounds like a perfect day-trip getaway!
Posted by: Gigi | June 29, 2009 at 08:24 AM
Ooo what a pretty town Larvik is. I like how they re purposed the figurehead. I am trying to enjoy the heat while it lasts. Got guests at the mo so will be gadding.
Posted by: Melanie | June 29, 2009 at 09:44 AM
We love both towns, so much exceptional charm, and we love to go back. We'll be there again in just over two weeks :)
Posted by: Anna S. | June 29, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Oh, Tracy! This is such a lovely town. The skies are a glorious blue. And, everything looks so neat and inviting. It is apparent the residents take pride in their town.
Posted by: Beverly | June 29, 2009 at 01:21 PM
What picturesque scenes. Thanks for taking us on a walk with you through Larvik. I love the ending with the pistachio gelato. Yum, a favorite!
Have a great week.
Paz
Posted by: Paz | June 29, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Thanks so much for the mini tour of Larvik! What a charming little town it is! The weather sure looked glorious. Thankfully, through the computer screen I was able to enjoy the blue skies and sunshine without being scorched ;) Gelato is my very most favourite icecream!!! I can eat it by the bucketloads! Beautiful photos and I shall return for the trip to Stavern tomorrow. It's fun jet-setting around the world while sitting here in my Pjs ;D
Posted by: Tracy | June 29, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Re - my PJs comment. Please note that it is late in the evening here right now. I'm not in the habit of sitting around in my PJs all day long. Really I'm not! ;D
Posted by: Tracy | June 29, 2009 at 02:47 PM
It looks like a lovely trip.
Posted by: Lacey | June 29, 2009 at 04:59 PM
It looks much cooler than it actually was. Very pretty and refreshing.
Pistachio Gelato? Interesting flavor.
Becky K.
Posted by: Becky K. | June 29, 2009 at 05:24 PM
Oh-gelato! I do love it and no one in my little town serves it.
Such a lovely seaside town. Larvik looks like a fun place to visit. Handball, not volleyball, right? I looked at the photo and assumed volleyball only because that is what I expect to see over here on the beach.
Have a great week, Tracy!
Posted by: willow | June 29, 2009 at 05:26 PM
What a fun outing! It reminds me of some of the lakeside towns around Lake Michigan which is lovely in the Summer.
The pistachio gelatin looks yummy. Thanks for reminding me to make some pistachio biscotti!
Posted by: MrPuffy | June 29, 2009 at 05:27 PM
What gorgeous photos! I can't wait for Stavern!
Posted by: Amanda | June 29, 2009 at 05:30 PM
Hi Tracy! Greetings from Hamburg, Germany! I grew up on an island, 10 mins walk from the beach so I know what you mean. It is really nice to really watch the sun, rise.
Posted by: xue | June 29, 2009 at 05:47 PM
Thanks for the tour Tracy to a part of the world I don't know at all and nice for you to see it through a tourist's eyes. The town looks immaculate, fantastic buildings set against a deep blue sky. Stavern will have to be something special to beat that, can't wait to see.
Posted by: Jennyff | June 29, 2009 at 06:34 PM
Lovely post, Tracy. Glad you are taking time to enjoy the weather. I don't think I realized just how close to the coast you were!
Posted by: nikkipolani | June 29, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Looks like a great place to stroll. Love those wooden figures outside that antique shop!
Posted by: ellen b | June 29, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Wow Tracy! What a gorgeous place ! Norway seems to be very 'tidy' and very beautiful. x
Posted by: julia | June 29, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Tracy, gorgeous, simply gorgeous! This looks like a great town, and a wonderful day trip for you guys :)
Posted by: hazel designs | June 30, 2009 at 04:14 AM
What great photographs of such a lovely town by the sea - looking forward to the next ones!
Posted by: Golden West | June 30, 2009 at 04:57 AM
beautiful photos and thank you for a glimpse into norway... it is very hot here too. enjoy the rest of your week,
ginny x
Posted by: myrtle | June 30, 2009 at 10:51 AM