Skärgård (Stockholm Archipelago)

We had the most superb day in the archipelago yesterday - maybe our best day in Sweden so far. Ferry to Karklö, walk across the island, row to next island, cross this island (Gallno) then ferry back from there. Weather was glorious with unbroken blue skies and mild spring air. Highlight was definitely rowing across from one island to the next. They have one boat on either side, so you row across - pick up the other boat and tow it back. Then you row across again - so there is still a boat on both sides ready for the next walker. If it would help, we can do a diagram - leave a comment if you want one.

 Islands were very quiet - we saw one other person on Karklö - more people on Gällnö. Lots of people on our boat back seemed to have been there for the weekend (probably at their summer house).

View from our luxurious boat looking up the treacherous creek we had to cross. No snakes spotted today, but a honey buzzard circled around, along with wide variety of ducks and other bobbing waterfowl. Also woodpecker seen+heard which is not a shock considering how many trees there are for them to knock on. 

Also spotted was this rather nice floating sauna.

As ever, more photos on flickr.com/charlotteandnick

Woods, Lakes and Snakes

Today we went for a day trip to Tyresta National Park which is a primeval forest about 45 mins from central Stockholm (primary forest for those of you with Geography GCSE - meaning it has never been cut down or managed by people). Glorious sunny day again so we have a bit more colour in our cheeks.
We were keeping our eyes peeled for elk, pine marten and pygmy owl but didn't see any. We think we heard a capercaillie (certainly something with a gamey squawk) - but we did see a pile of grass snakes. That was very impressive - I've never seen a snake in the wild before. It was literally a pile - you couldn't see how many snakes there were and where their heads were.
Also lots of glorious views of pretty lakes. More photos on flickr.com/charlottteandnick

Easter decorations

Easter decorations- my interpretation of the swedish obsession with colourful feathers on sticks! I only realised afterwards that I'd chosen blue and yellow feathers (the colours of the swedish flag). But they look quite pretty I think.

Handily, the eggs you buy in the shops here are white- which makes it easy to decorate them (especially if all your paints are in storage and only coloured pencils available...). 
Happy Easter!

Here is a photo of both of us - not actually had many of them so far on here. It's been so warm the last few days that even a coat isn't needed.

Evidence of Spring

On my way to the project office today I noticed a woman ahead of me who had stopped on her way wherever she was going. She was just happily looking up at the fresh buds and leaves on a tree. I think that is what happens to you when spring takes so long to appear.

Also, after supper I thought a beer would be nice. Then I looked at my watch, realised it was 5 past 7 and remembered where I live. bother.

Planning Time

Easter has crept up on us and we have a long weekend without any plans. The weather forecast is superb so I think we might finally make it out to the archipelago. We are also starting to plan a trip north with my parents when they visit in June. 17 hour train journey (sleeper) will get us to Kiruna which is only 200 km from the top of Sweden. However it is beyond the arctic circle so we can get midnight sun. Have a look on google streetview at some of the countryside around there - it's proper wilderness. Quite excited about the idea of that trip.

SPRING! Spring is here

Spring has sprung - and here it happens like the name suggests. Two weeks ago there were still patches of snow on the ground, 1 week ago there were still patches of ice on the river. Suddenly this week the grass is green (it goes brown after 5 months being under snow) and it's warm enough to not need a coat when you go out. I even caught a bit of sun yesterday. Here are are some buds - in a week or two the trees will be in bloom.

My aunty Rosemary was here this weekend so we had a lovely time wandering around Gamla Stan yesterday - then a return trip to Skansen today. We went there on one of our first weekends here - so much has changed. There were actually other people visiting since it was 15 degrees, not minus 5. The bears had stopped hibernating and more things were open. There were also no icy paths. Glorious sunshine all weekend.

Pictures - loads of them. All taken on a walk this evening on a smaller island (Langholmen) which is 10 minutes walk from our flat. Still no leaves on the trees, although this is the first week which the grass has actually looked green - it's only been out from the now for 3-4 weeks. Saw some guys sweeping up leaves in the park today; here the leaves fall in autumn then before they get a chance to rot down. they get covered in snow. 3 months (or more like 5-6 months this winter) later the snow melts and the leaves are reaedy to be swept up. First photos taken about 8:30 - still really quite light, although naff camera on my phone exaggerates the amount of light.

It's Been Quiet

It's been quiet on this blog so what have we been up to?
Last weekend we had some friends to stay last weekend which was lovely including sauna on Saturday evening. Much fish was eaten including some superb smoked salmon for supper. My aunt is visiting next weekend and then Anne-Maire is here two weeks after that. Busy busy with visitors now which is nice.

Most of the ice has finally gone from the rivers - and the shelters which protect you from falling icicles (under a viaduct) have been removed this week. I think spring might actually be getting here.

Here's a few links about the project I am working on - not many interesting pictures I'm afraid - but the web camera shows where they are rock-blasting for the basement of the part I am working on.

http://www.nyakarolinskasolna.se/en/
http://www.nyakarolinskasolna.se/sv/Byggprojektet/Markarbeten/Webbkameror/Parkeringshuset/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_Karolinska_Solna_University_Hospital