Among Horses and Wildflowers, A Love Letter in Timber

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Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Shropshire countryside, surrounded by rolling fields, Icelandic horses, sunbathing chickens and the occasional shy cat peering through the garden, sits a Norwegian Log cabin built with one purpose at its heart: bringing family closer together.

For author Catherine Holland-Bax and her brother, the decision was deeply personal. Their mum, Anne, had been living just a couple of miles away in a large three-bedroom bungalow, but over time the house had become harder to manage. It needed work, and they knew the moment had come to create somewhere that felt easier, calmer and closer to the people who loved her most.

“We wanted Mum nearby while she was still able to settle into somewhere new comfortably,” Catherine explained. “It felt important to do it sooner rather than later.”

After researching different options, Norwegian Log stood out immediately. The company’s Scandinavian heritage, reputation, reviews and overall build quality gave Catherine reassurance that this would not simply be a practical solution, but a lasting home for her mother.

The order was placed in autumn with one clear request: as quickly as possible.

From there, the process moved remarkably fast. Groundworks were completed in January. The cabin build began in mid-February and was finished by mid-April, with Anne moving in the following week.

Despite the challenges of countryside access, horses and working around existing land, the installation was handled with care and consideration throughout. Large materials were unloaded onto a nearby concrete pad before being carefully transported around the lane using forklifts and smaller vehicles. Some deliveries were brought directly onto the front garden and carried through by hand.

For Catherine, whose life revolves around animals and nature, it was essential that the process respected the environment around her home.

“The horses always came first,” she said. “Every evening the team made sure the yard was completely horse safe before they left. Nothing was ever left untidy or unsafe. Everyone was brilliant.”

The Norwegian Log team quickly became a welcome presence on site. Friendly, respectful and thoughtful, they even asked permission before playing music while they worked. Temporary facilities such as outdoor power and a portaloo allowed the build to run smoothly with minimal disruption to daily life.

Even the weather caused little delay, aside from heavy rain arriving just as the roof was due to go on.

The site itself carries its own story. Before the cabin arrived, the area had been occupied by an old shed. Catherine removed it herself shortly before the installation began, opening up a breathtaking view across the countryside.

“It was amazing seeing the space afterwards,” she said. “I suddenly realised what a beautiful spot it was for the cabin.”

Today, Anne’s cabin feels less like a new home and more like it has always belonged there.

Step inside and every corner tells a story. Family photographs line the shelves. Treasured keepsakes collected over decades sit proudly in place. A much-loved dresser, remembered by Anne from childhood when her parents first bought it, fits perfectly within the cabin despite early worries it might overwhelm the space.

“It’s lovely seeing Mum surrounded by all her memories,” Catherine said. “It feels like home.”

Outside the windows, nature quietly unfolds throughout the day. Rabbits dart through the garden. Chickens stretch out in the sunshine on the hill. Horses call from the fields beyond.

Those horses are deeply woven into Catherine’s life and work. A British author based in Shropshire, Catherine is known for her animal-centred storytelling inspired by Icelandic horses, wildlife and the natural world. Her debut novel, Little Viking Horse, was inspired directly by her beloved horse Fleygur, whose name means “flying one”. Now 27 years old, Fleygur remains especially close to Catherine’s heart, as he was the beloved horse of her late husband, Roger.

Alongside him are Svipur, the palomino often compared to a unicorn, Dana with her striking marbled colouring, and Kæti, the quietly authoritative mare who watches protectively over the herd.

Catherine’s second novel, The Badger Resistance Army, continues her passion for stories rooted in empathy, wildlife and coexistence. Through her platform, EponaWise, she shares writing, reflections and advocacy centred around animals, leadership and the deep connection between people and nature.

That same sense of care and emotional connection flows through Anne’s cabin.

Although smaller than the bungalow she once lived in, Anne describes the cabin simply as “lovely”. More manageable, more peaceful and, most importantly, close to Catherine.

The cabin itself is still evolving. Catherine plans to add further planting, fresh grass and a picket fence to soften the landscape even more. But already, it feels complete in the ways that matter most.

This was never just about crafting a cabin in the garden.

It was about creating security. Familiarity. Warmth. A home filled with memories, stories and the people who matter most.

A quiet love letter from a daughter to her mother, written not in words alone, but in timber, light and landscape.

Eponawise – Catherine Holland-Bax, Author

@catherinehollandbax

@the_little_viking_horse