Homes: alone again, naturally

At the height of summer, at its most crowded, the tiny island of Krosshamn in west Norway will have up to 20 people living in its seven wooden cabins. With no roads, shops, streetlights or internet, the remote island – a 40-minute, two-boat ride from the ferry port of Krokeide, an hour from Bergen – is where its seasonal residents head when they really, really want to get away from it all. Photograph: Marianne Wie for the Guardian

Bernt and Elisabeth Østervold have spent summers here since 1965. The island has been in Bernt’s family since 1870 and he spent large chunks of his childhood here, too. “This is where we relax,” he says. “Days or even weeks can go by without us seeing anybody. If we get lonely, we will go and visit people staying in the other cabins.” Now they’ve retired – both worked as dentists – the couple have started living here from Easter through to October; children, grandchildren and friends always come to visit. Photograph: Marianne Wie for the Guardian

Most of the time, Bernt fishes and catches crabs, heading off in his small boat to set out nets and pots. He boils up to 30 crabs a week, turning them into crabcakes or freezing them. He dries fish in the traditional Norwegian way, hanging it up in his boathouse. When he’s not fishing, he’s chopping down trees to maintain the breathtaking view from the cabin, and for firewood. Elisabeth spends her time gardening, and both read a lot and listen to jazz. Photograph: Marianne Wie for the Guardian

The cabin, built in 1948, is simple and functional, with wooden floors and walls, and filled with antiques and artefacts, many of which were already in the cabin when Bernt and Elisabeth acquired it. Elisabeth painted some pieces in the living room, and the kitchen cabinets blue – a traditional shade called “farm blue” that’s often used in old Norwegian homes. The sofa is vintage Ikea, bought nearly 30 years ago. The interior hasn’t changed in that time. Photograph: Marianne Wie for the Guardian

There is no toilet or shower in the cabin – for that you have to head outside, around the house, and back down into the basement. But the Østervolds wouldn’t have it any other way. Photograph: Marianne Wie for the Guardian

“We don’t need modern luxury here,” Bernt says. “It’s a nice combination of physical outdoor work and sitting in a chair in the sunshine reading, or listening to the radio. We’ve recharged our batteries here all through our working life. It’s a simple life, quiet and peaceful. This is the perfect place to spend summer; a fire by the sea, wild summer flowers and long nights. The island has become a natural part of our lives.” Photograph: Marianne Wie for the Guardian