Skaugum in Asker is in bat county. In 2011, nest boxes were put up in trees for the bats – to give them a place to roost. Some species of bats are in danger of extinction.
Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus participated when the boxes were put up. Today, it was time to check progress of the boxes for this year, and they participated again.
15 bats were found.
The 18th international bat night is the night between the 30 and 31 of August.
Early last week, Norwegian newspapers reported that Haakon and Mette-Marit were having trouble finding farmers for their farm at Skaugum. It has been a long-time plan for the couple that the production at the farm should go ecological.
The application process went through without much trouble. After the prospective farmers took a look at the files, however, they declined the royal job offer. The prospect of turning the farm around to ecological production apparently was a bit troublesome from an economic point of view.
Since the above news came out, however, there have been renewed attention from applicants with an interest in ecological farming, E24 reports. Perhaps, the position will be filled just in time for the new agricultural season?
Earlier this year, in an effort to combat the financial crisis, the Norwegian government set out an emergency financial package. Part of that package was 12.6 Norwegian Kr to renovate the exterior of the residence of the Crown Prince, Skaugum. Additionally, something was to be done about a longtime drainage problem around the property, that had resulted in mold and rot in the building.
The work began, but has resulted in some changes in the life of the Crown Prince and his family.
The ongoing renovations was the reason for change of scenery on the National Day. The Children’s parade in Asker are usually greeted by the Crown Princely family from the steps of Skaugum. Instead, this year, they were greeted from the entrance to the property. (As seen by Mette-Marit and Sverre Magnus in the picture.)
And now, an additional change has come. Haakon, Mette-Marit and their children have temporarily moved into the Palace in Oslo, for the duration of the renovation, the court reports. It was speculated that they would move into Bygdø kongsgård, which is the summer residence of the King and Queen, and boasts a bit more garden to act as play area for the children.
School and kindergarten won’t be out for a month, so the children will have to be transported back to Asker for their schooling and child-minding.
I suspect the family will be out of the palace, perhaps to their spiffy newly bought summer house in Risør or the King and Queen’s summer house, as soon as the children are out of school.
It is the National day of Norway today, and in true fashion, the Crown Princely family started the day by greeting the children’s parade in Asker. However, unlike previous years, they weren’t doing it from the front steps of their house, but rather the gate to the estate. Skaugum is being renovated as a part of the financial package from the government to help against the recession.
All members of the family wore their national costumes. Haakon, Mette-Marit, Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus wore their Asker costumes, whereas Marius wore the same costume as last year, his Hardanger costume.
As the parades in Norway are Children’s Parades, Marius observed the parade until his school walked past, and then he joined his class for the rest of the parade. (Picture here from after that.)
Later today, the members of the Royal House will greet the Children’s Parade in Oslo from the Palace Balcony. The Members of the Norwegian royal house are HM the King, HM the Queen, HRH the Crown Prince, HRH the Crown Princess and Princess Ingrid Alexandra. (Edit: Apparently Prince Sverre Magnus also made a brief appearance).
The Norwegian Crown Prince and Crown Princess reside on the farm, Skaugum, in Asker, just outside Oslo.
The farm is amongst the 200 biggest in Norway, measured by production and agricultural support. They produce grain, feeds, milk and meat.
With the current manager up for retirement, the advertisement searching for the replacement is looking for someone who can focus on making the farm ecological, keeping in line with Haakon and Mette-Marit’s focus on the environment.