Two friends, one Norwegian experience

Hi, I’m Dave.

This blog is a collaborative project between two long-time friends: a native Norwegian with over two decades of experience in the construction industry, and an American expat who has called Norway home since 2004.

Together, we explore “The Norwegian Experience” from two different, yet overlapping, perspectives. We dive into everything from architecture and building practices to the quirks of Scandinavian culture and the journey of navigating life in your late 40s.

By combining local knowledge with an expat’s fresh eyes, we aim to document the reality of living, working, and growing older in Norway – always with a “twinkle in our eye.” We share a passion for deep-diving into topics that interest us, whether it’s historical shifts in society or the latest developments in Norwegian biotechnology.

Who are we?

“Dave” is the shared identity of two long-time friends. We are brothers-in-law, married to two sisters. This means that for over 20 years, we have shared more than just an interest in Norway – we’ve shared family dinners, holidays, and the daily joys and challenges of raising families in Bergen. We’re working in the same company.

These decades of shared history are what fuel our blog. We decided to combine our perspectives into one voice to tell the full story of life in Norway.

When you read our “Field Notes” or our in-depth “Blog” articles, you’re getting a seat at our family table. You’re getting a mix of professional expertise, expat curiosity, and the kind of honest banter that only brothers-in-law can have.

The Norwegian Craftsman

One half of “Dave” is a native Norwegian with over 25 years of experience in the construction industry. He is a specialist in traditional timber framing and the restoration of wooden buildings in Bergen. He knows every corner of a Norwegian house – from the foundation to the ridge – and understands the technical evolution of how we have lived for centuries.

The American Expat

The other half is an American who traded the dry heat of Texas for the rain in Bergen back in 2004. After 22 years of navigating Norwegian society, he provides the “outsider’s” look at everything from the strange workplace etiquette to the struggle of learning a dialect that sounds nothing like the textbook.

Why “Dave”?

We chose this name as a tribute to our friendship and as a way to speak candidly about our lives. It allows us to share personal, unfiltered stories about aging, working, and living in Scandinavia while protecting our professional roles and our families’ privacy. When you read an article by “Dave,” you are getting a mix of professional expertise and 22 years of expat observations.

Two voices, one diary

While our main articles are joint projects, our #Perspectives (numbered field notes) are personal snapshots of everyday life. These are written individually by the two of us. When you see a hashtag number, you’re getting a raw and unfiltered glimpse of how one of us experiences the moment – whether it’s frustration over wilted birch branches/twigs or technological fascination.

LOGGED BY: DAVE // BERGEN, 2026

Our Sections:

• Blog – Polished reflections on culture, industry, and the Norwegian way of life.
• Field Notes – Our “playroom” for spontaneous observations, daily life, and the ongoing journey.

Newsletter

We send out a short newsletter about once a week. It summarizes the past week in “Dave style.” Feel free to subscribe.
You can always unsubscribe using the link included in every newsletter.

Contact form

If you have questions about Norway, building practices, or just want to say hi, feel free to use the contact form below.

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