Light

It's been a long time since I was in Sweden for an entire summer. So far I'm really loving it. It's so easy to think that it gets so light in the evenings in England. And think that the sun sets so late. But then you're in Sweden. And when you go to bed at 11pm it's bright outside. And when you wake up at 6am for work the sun has already been up two hours.

Growing up I didn't think this was anything special. Now, after so many years away, I am amazed every morning and every evening. I'd forgotten how beautiful and mesmerising this country can be.

Fancy visit

Last weekend two of my dear friends came and visited from London. It was a weekend of excursions and fun and laughs and reminiscing. Here are some photos from the weekend.

Göta Kanal. Where my grandparents live and where my mum grew up.

Beautiful weather!

And we went to Läckö Slott. A castle on an island in Lake Vänern. Vänern is the biggest lake not only in Sweden, but in the European Union!

More autumn feeling

I was going to impress you with yet another stunning photo of the place I call home. But no. I seem to have bery bad luck currently with cameras in general, not just my proper one, but the one on my phone as well. I decided this morning when I pulled up the blinds that I was going to go up on our mountain and go for a walk/run after breakfast because the weather is amazing. And I did. Very proud that I actually did it and didn’t just stop at the thought of doing it. I took my UK phone with me so I could take some pretty photos of the lovely autumn weather since my plan was to walk/run it didn’t seem appropriate to bring my dslr. Said and done. I went for my walk (yes, I walked much more than I ran). 7.5km later I came to the end of the loop which is by a lake and it was so gorgeous I was going to take a photo. But “camera failed” is all my phone wanted to tell me and refused to take the photo! So, I’m sorry, no pretty photo from the mountain today. You’ll have to make do with another one. From our garden here at my parents house. This autumn is getting prettier by the minute. Can’t believe it’s barely rained at all since I came home now close to two months ago. (just because I wrote that it will most likely pour down for two weeks straight starting tomorrow).

This is where I live

On days like these I have to admit to quite enjoying my small town life. This is where I live. And I shouldn’t be surprised, not by the fact that I live here nor that it’s very beautiful. I grew up here. It’s home. Like in this photo for instance. I’ve gone skating on this small lake. I’ve been fishing in it. I’ve dyed wool in it. There’s a tiny gap between the trees on the far right of this photo. In that gap you can almost, almost, hint a buidling. That’s my primary school. So this truly is my neck of the woods. And this time of year it is more beautiful than ever.

I realised the other day that I haven’t been in Sweden in October since 2006. And I know Britain turns into various shades of yellow and orange and red as well at this time of year. But I can’t help myself, I’m impressed by what Sweden is showing me. It is absolutely stunning.

Things I love

I love how I can just randomly switch on the tv and whatever time it is there is always a random program on, which unlike in the UK, here I know what it is. And if I don't know what it is, I recognise the people in the program. Or if I don't do that, I realise what old school show it is based on. And I understand the jokes. And I recognise the songs. And I get the puns.

Cultural references, oh how I have missed you.

Re-integration

It's weird. I sometimes forget that I am back in Sweden. Like last night. I was watching tv and 'football evening' was on, a program that analyses the games from the day. I commented to my dad "wow, there's so many Swedes that play now!" His reply was "it's the Swedish league, what did you expect?" A very true statement! But I thought (assumed) they were talking about the Premier League, and not Allsvenskan.

It's a strange thing. Being re-integrated into the country where you are born. It's assumed that you know everything and understand what everyone is talking about. But I don't. I've been gone for five years. FIVE YEARS. It's insane when I think about it. It's a long time. And now I'm back. With no intention of leaving.

I have a job interview tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

That familiar feeling

H&M
Scandikitchen
Scan meatballs
Marabou daim chocolate

Today has been a very Swedish day. You'd think it would quench my longing for Sweden. But no. It only increased it. Four more days. Then it's only two weeks. Two weeks is nothing. Time goes by so quickly. Before I know it I will be sitting on the gorgeous verandah talking to my amazing parents about everything and anything.


If May flew by in the blink of an eye. Surely four days and two weeks will?

I'm coming home

Since I have probably the best mum in the world,

I am going on a quick visit to Sweden in two weeks time,

or actually, a week and a half.

Friday to Wednesday in the lovely place that I call home.

Inevitably, as soon as I bought the plane ticket yesterday I've started making a mental list of things to do and what to eat:

• Switch on the heating on the veranda, curl up in the hammock and read a book.
• Fika! Several times, every day. If you don't know what it is, google it! It's Swedish amazingness.
• Sit at the dining table making really bad jokes with my dad.
• Go see my grandma and giver her the bigges hug ever. Just cause she's old and perfect.
• Take a trip into town and walk around just taking in the Swedishness of it all.
• Eat the traditional, local sausage with mashed potatoes.
  
• Play with my baby cousin (who is 18 years old and not a baby anymore. But we still play, and laugh like to little kids when we meet).

In other words, it's going to be absolutely amazing. And since I won't be home for Christmas this year, this is definitely going to be precious :)

I took this photo last Christmas. Time will tell if this is what I'll be greeted with in ten days!