IN THE DEEP WINTER SLEEP BEFORE SPRING'S PREPARATION

After the summer foot washing and mud bath (retting), the nettles have been hanging outside under cover to dry. Now (October / November) they are being moved into the old bakery at Ryghsetra where they will hang airily until the sun shines through in spring, warm and nice.

The baking house also houses the large, wood-fired baking oven. In the spring, it should be heated up until it is red-hot and warm. Then it's time to sweep out the ashes and embers before putting the logs in the oven! This is so that the wood, the cellulose inside the stems, will become brittle and dry before the plants get a real workout during the preparation. When withered, bristly creatures change from weeds to fibre, to the gold of the forest...

But now the plants need to dry properly. Good night, little friends, see you in the spring!