Once she was a nomad.
Hanne gave away her belongings and left Denmark, the country of her origin in 2008. Behind her was a life in the world of elite sport, teaching and academia. Before her was the unknown. Little did she know she one day would arrive at the shores of Doolin, Co. Clare and put her suitcase down. It was in 2011.
During the summers in Co. Clare she worked in cafes and was involved in several creative projects throughout the years. The depths of winter was dedicated to her photography, writing and solitude.
Through quite some miraculous ways and generous people she met during her nomadic life, December 24th 2018 Hanne moved into her new home; Derrynavahagh in the Caher Valley with the fluffiest of cats insisting on being addressed ‘Her Ladyship’. Further introduction below.
Hanne was home. In the deepest sense of the word.
During the times of Covid she took the leap to dedicate all her time to her art as a professional full time artist. This very year 2022, she has taken another leap to support her art and has opened her home to accommodation in her beautiful little cottage.
Hanne knows her home is to be shared. With wildlife first and foremost but people are now welcome too…. Her place has something unique to give each guest arriving. At the core it is peace and it is stillness surrounded by the Burren and Burren sounds.
To see Hanne’s artistic work and keen and abstract eye for nature, please follow this link: www.htfisker.com
And then there is her writing. She has even been published. Twice. Some of her writing can be found alongside her photography on her blog. Recommended reading: My Friend the Winged One (7 pieces in total); reflections upon our existence, a robin the muse.
The Moment The moment when, after many years of hard work and a long voyage you stand in the centre of your room, house, half-acre, square mile, island, country, knowing at last how you got there, and say, I own this, is the same moment when the trees unloose their soft arms from around you, the birds take back their language, the cliffs fissure and collapse, the air moves back from you like a wave and you can't breathe. No, they whisper. You own nothing. You were a visitor, time after time climbing the hill, planting the flag, proclaiming. We never belonged to you. You never found us. It was always the other way round. Margaret Atwood
It is impossible to mention Hanne’s Cottage without also mentioning Her Ladyship; a strong, alert yet deeply quiet presence in the cottage with a unique and sensitive character. The latter at times wrapped in a feisty fierceness. As you do.
Her Ladyship responds to Misser. Makes total sense.
She has a very clear understanding of her own personal space. And she will also very clearly let any humans know if they have trespassed. In her own time, she might let you know if you have been accepted as her guest by purringly greeting your leg. She could possible also then agreeing to being gently stroked on her forehead, but do brace yourself if you touch her hips!
Her Ladyship is a rescue cat, found abandoned to her own fate by a river in Co. Clare in 2012 when she was about 4 months old. She chose her new fate wisely and she seems for the most part to be pleased with her staff hire.
Hanne's Cottage 