My memories from 1946 to 1961
The main house on Norderhaug - Landøen 1904
I came to Landøya in Asker in the summer of 1946, right after I turned seven. The Manus family settled there after the war, first only my mother and Max, and then in the summer of 1946 I as well as the English setter called Pet.
My brother Max Mikael (Lille-Max) arrived in 1947 when he was born, and later sister Mette in 1949.
Mothers and Max’s friends kept coming to visit, and there was also a lot of activity early on related to Max’s business.
My mother and Max always chose to entertain at home, and there they collaborated excellently. Max was a great host and mother the best hostess, besides being a fantastic cook, serving self-supported salmon and trout, likewise game.
Personal friendships often developed between my parents and the representatives of the various suppliers, first those from Clausen& Manus A/S, later those from Max’s own companies.
The highlights - with reference to the business activity - were for me anyway the annual company parties that were arranged on Landøya.
Norderhaug - Landøya in the fifties
These parties were always held in the summer, and all staff with their partners were of course invited. The parties were always a great success, a proof of which was that they lasted till long after I had been put to bed.
Mother and Max were emotional people, and everyone enjoyed themselves in their company, something I witnessed myself, but also was told by others. Precisely the fact that my mother in all these years was Max’s secretary, and thereby strongly connected to the activities in the company, probably also contributed to the fact that all the entertainment they had on Landøya was valuable for the company’s operations. This was a fact throughout this period and lasted as long as Max was actively involved in the operation of the company, i.e., till I took over.
Max was a person who always looked for ways out, like the fox who has several exits from his den. I remember he himself also used this comparison. He could not see himself “being trapped” in any context. Something I will write more about in an episode later.
The time immediately after the war must have been special for everyone. As a boy, I did not perceive at that time the many special events, also those in connection with the company, they were explained to me later.
As I said, mother was Max’s secretary and was therefore in the office with him every day. We had the housekeeper Ragnhild Block, called Boddi, who took care of the house and who, among other things, got me to school, a sometimes not easy job, I can imagine.
Max was constantly visited in the office by people who wanted his advice regarding all kinds of things. I have the impression that he understood, and took it for granted that this happened, and I never heard him reject anyone. Furthermore, I have the impression that many of those who came had mental problems, but no one could say if they were caused by the war or not.
The story of the lady who every night went to bed with a dream of the house being burnt down I especially remember well. Max listened patiently a long time to her many explanations why she was convinced somebody persecuted her, and then asked her what her bed looked like. Was it one of those beds with four iron legs? Yes, she confirmed, after which Max takes a long pause for thought. “Yes, I think I can help you”, he says and continues: ”Do you have access to four fish ball boxes, the type of Bjelland’s of metal with a rough bottom”? Yes, she said, she could ea
