Ystad - Ahus

What an interesting day it’s turned out to be! After leaving Ystad this morning in the blazing sunshine and walking, (yes I repeat walking, at the time it just seemed such a good idea!) the 2 kilometres from my hostel to town with ALL my life from the past 6 months bundled into the two bags I was carrying. Needless to say they were both EXTREEEEEEMELY heavy and by the time I reached town, not only was I worried that I would turn into Quasimodo if I had to walk one more step with my beastly bags, I was also sweating like a beast and even redder than I was when I left the hostel. Now whether this was due to the perspiration or because I had walked all the way there with the sun full on my face and was probably, thus, even more sunburnt than when I left the hostel – which is saying a lot, seeing as I already looked like a beetroot – it’s very hard to tell! I don’t think I look any redder than before, now I’m sat here in my snugly little room but who knows!

At least I have some colour now though, so I’m not going to complain! After the last weeks of term where I felt I had actually become a recluse and would never see the brighter shades of gold of the Scandinavian sunshine ever again, it’s nice to be basking in it now! ☺

So as I said I left Ystad (Er-sta) today for Kristianstad (Kri-w-han-sta) with the ultimate goal being Ahus. Arrived in Kristianstad to find myself suddenly, and mostly unexpectedly, being thrown into a ghetto! Having not been expecting this, it was even more of a shock to suddenly be surrounded by loud, raucous Swedes, a lot of them fat and most of them really seeming to have come from the ghetto! O and I mustn’t forget the gormless ones that seemed to have collected at the bus station, which I might add was right next to one of the most hideous shopping complexes I think I have EVER been unfortunate enough to be within 500m of! (o and I musn’t forget to mention here that the Systembolaget was also situate here, so most of the gormless ones sat waiting at the bus station were probably in such a state due to alcohol! I now understand why Kristianstad nation had a ‘bling’ themed sittning…life suddenly makes sense!

Well, in case it didn’t come across Kristianstad was NOT a favourite place of mine! In fact I felt like I was in Stevenage, and that is saying something (considering I have NEVER compared anywhere Sweden to anything like a chav haven that the Nidge really is!) Sweden in my eyes was chav free and all the better for it, but with a most depressed air I left Kristianstad sadly resigned to the fact that no matter what, they really are taking over the world, much to everyone else’s horror!

On the plus side of the city (yes there was a veeeery small one!) it appeared that today was a day of celebration: when you pass your exams/graduate here, either form school or university, instead of black, billowing robes students don a tasteful sailor looking hat and parade through the streets blowing whistles, singing, laughing and generally just making a lot of noise. This is done either in classy cars or, in the funner cases from the back of a lorry/tractor/open top van that is decorated with tree leaves and branches, complete with banner and balloons! Fabulous tradition I tell you!

So arrived to sleepy, beautiful, old Ahus with a MOST grateful air and sat in the sunshine until the hostel was open at 5 (really annoying that check in is only available between 5-6 – craziness I’m telling you!)

Had a lovely wander round town soaking up the last of the evening sunshine and absorbing the fabulous history of the town, from medieval walls to ruined churches, a saints tomb and cute, lovely picturesque half timbered houses. Hmmm…simply dashing, what more could you ask for!

Ale Stenar

Cycled to Ale Stenar today. Sweden’s version of stone-henge apparently, only this one was built by Vikings and not pagans (was that who built stone henge??)

There are many theories about why and who put the stones there but the most favoured is that Ale was a Viking chief who is buried in amongst the stones somewhere. The stones are in a shape of a Viking boat with the front and back stone marking the summer and winter solstice respectively.

After visiting them I have to say that I think Ale had completely the right idea! The stones are set upon a cliff next to the sea, where the birds fly and the butterflies too. Where the sun shines down onto a life and time gone by. I think I’m going to follow Ale’s idea and my friends and relatives to build me some standing stones upon a similar cliff top that looks over sea – come on you know you want to lug 2 tonne stones up a hill!! (you have been warned!)

The day has been a most rewarding one, the cycle through the Skane countryside was beautiful, but as ever it never ceases to amaze me that there just aren’t any people!! There’s signs of people: houses, cars, random school bus stops (literally plonked in the middle of NOWHERE, apart from next to, say a huge field, which maybe has a house at the long path that seems to lead to nowhere!) but just no actual people!

I go back to original theory from when we arrived in Lund and the same thing was happening there: houses with lights on and cars in the driveway just no people. The theory was that there were in fact Swedes living inside but they just didn’t want to be seen so would drop and roll if ever they came to a window, just in case there was someone who happened to be passing outside and may have see them – I think it’s a fair theory and really quite probable! This is clearly what they were all doing in the countryside too!

But anyway, 40 kilometres later I arrived back in Ystad, bursting with lust for life and most proud of myself for cycling all that way and managing to get back in one piece, well there was no puncture at least and I didn’t fall off, but I will have to admit that I am in fact looking like a panda radish, seeing as I cycled all day with my sunglasses on and no sun cream seeing as I don’t own any as of yet (that’s tomorrow’s job!) So I am the colour of a lobster and not particularly happy about it, I’m not going to wear my sunglasses for the next week just to make sure that I don’t get the same again!

So that’s all from me today, caio for now.

Trip to Foteviken Vikingreservatet

The day began most slowly, my body clock is completely out since living at Sparta and my 8 am alarm did not happen! Finally dragged myself out of bed to find another simply gloooooorious day here in Skane and walked along the seafront once again heading into town to catch a train to Malmo, and then a bus to Holleviken to get to the living Viking museum. (yes there are still people crazy enough to eschew modern conveniences and live as hairy beast!)

First leg of the journey went fine, arrived Malmo, caught a bus to Holleviken, here however is where it begins to get a little long winded and rambling!

After somehow missing the bus stop I was looking out (or should I say, being completely oblivious that we had gone past it!) I continued on the bus for a little way, hoping that in fact we were still in Holleviken and hadn’t passed on into the next town, which most unfortunately for me, we had! Got to practise my ridiculous Swedish though and the kind bus driver man told me that yes, we had in fact gone past my stop and that I would have to get off this bus and wait for the next bus in the other direction (all in Swedish I may add!) So off I toddled, crossed the road and began to wait. Fate must have been on my side that day because I didn’t have to wait long before I was on the bus again heading for Holleviken, this time managing to spot my stop and hop off in time! So phase two completed! Phase three however, was to take a little more time still! After meandering down the road away from the bus stop hoping either to a) run into a sign for the museum or find a friendly face to ask where it may be. Neither turned up, I seemed to be on the wrong side of the road! But I found a taxi company who informed me that it was in fact back up the road I just meandered down!! (grrrrrrrr!)

It was worth the train, bus, bus, walk, walk then walk even further though. I feel I learnt a lot but have so many more questions now about the bearded men (and women) of the Viking age that I want to go back and ask more questions! The craziest thing about the reserve/museum is that, as I said before, there are a few people there who actually live there all the time, dress as Vikings and live in houses built to Viking design and materials – what a jolly life I say!

But alas, not maybe a life for me quite yet, it was back for the return journey, for me, which I managed in one piece and spent the evening enjoying the fabulous magic that hangs in the air around sunset from one of the piers outside the hostel, dangling my legs over the lulling tides below and simply revelling in the fact I was alive.

O a good day! ☺

Farewell Sparta, and Lund

Well, I just can’t believe that it’s the end of my time here in Lund already, where has 5 months gone too? Managed to pack all my things into one big rucksack and one little one (a most impressive feat, I am rather proud of myself if I do say so!)

A heart-wrenching goodbye was said with full on water works and all. Getting onto the bus and waving goodbye was so hard (and I looked like a complete retard seeing as I was all blubbery and sniffly!)

Feeling that I just wanted to go home right away and not have a last jaunt around Sweden, I made my way with a heavy heart to Ystad. Can’t even believe how homesick, and completely sad I feel. I just can’t believe it’s ended.

Ystad seems nice but it’s not Lund and it’s not Sparta and there’s not everyone here, which is strange.

A most sad day

Peace visit: Day 1 - Arrival

Ok, so still catching up with all that has happened in last month, here is a veeeeeeeery brief summary of the Peace's visit seeing as it is waaaaaaaay past my bedtime and my eyes are sleepy!

But as ever it was magical fun to be reunited with 4 out of 5 Peace's. The Miss Peace senior was not present, having to stay at home instead and observe children (in a purely NON peculiar way!)

So arrived they did on Saturday morning at 9 AM (i would say that i was at the airport to meet them as they came through customs but that would be a lie due to the previous nights antics and a few drinkies in the Sparta kitchin, o the joys!)

But i did meet them in the end, and much to my disgust and horror, a certain Lawrence Peace seems to have grown (again MUCH to my disgust!) and also showed me his new provsional drivers liscence, althoguh i refused to look at it as he is simply NOT old enough to drive!! He pounced on me at the airport - hence the floor picture! But who knew that little brothers and pouncing could be so endearing!

so they arrived in the land of snow and giants, only there wasnt' any snow (in fact the weather being extreeeeemely nice) and no giants either. There was however, a lot of outdoor adventures (and food experiences!) eating in general and lots of chucklesome moments, most of them coming fomr mummy Peace - who will be veeeeeeery happy to know now that there are in fact cows in Sweden, i've actually SEEN some!! The weather must clearly be cow weather now! And after showing them my room and lunch in the SUN we went to the lovely Hotell Oskar to put the sleepy Peace's to bed for a little afternoon nap (fair enough seeing as they were up at 3 AM!)

Please take note of the ammount of 'outdoor lunches' t come...!

Lovely to be reunited with the family. End of day 1

Peace visit: Day 3 - bike trip to Lomma

Today was hiring bike day (which i would just like to add i managed to do IN SWEDISH!! jaha!!) Min svenska ar jattebra!! hmm...well!
After having a few minor detours and a lot of getting used to the fact that the bikes here not only use the peddle backwards method to stop NOT the usual hand braking method, but also are cycled on the other side of the road! the inital start was a little exciting for everyone i think! But Olof had a lovely outing with his new hired'friends' and once at the beach the crazy Peace's (aka mummy peace and a Lawrence) went PADDLING!! Please note, once again the lunch out side AND the cold faces of Dad and I while the other two went apddling!

Another glorious day though, i also found another future house of mine in the shap of a simply AWESOME tree house!! Seriously goooood!!!
End of day 3

Peace visit: Day 2 - The Lund Health Walk!

An enjoyable day spent stolling along the 'Health Walk' here in Lund (seriously these Swedes are very health concious -how nice of them to set up a walk!)

The day began with a lovely breakfast in cafe Ebbas next door (yes i was treated to a breakfast - yum! o how i love family holidays, the food is always so good!) And O today me and Prucilla were reunited again after 4 months apart! It was a very happy and joyous reuniion, if only i knew what lay ahead for my dearest, most reliable pashmina! :'(

So again to be brief, the sun shone, we walked, saw some random Swedes sat in the middle of a field - still not certaina what they were actually doing, but the sun was shining so maybe they were simply sat there to soak it all up - who knows! chatted, mummy Peace proved again that she is in a fact a fashion icon with her daring use of a winter, reversable balaclava to shield the sun from her eyes and of course we ate OUTSIDE again! After lunch we had to played some games in order to warm up after a lunch eaten in the SHADE of a huge tree, whcih was a litttttle bit chilllllly!! And then began the journey once more - still with Prucilla at this point, at some point near the park - when we were a wee bit lost, stopped and asking for help i realised that, yes - Prucilla was NO LONGER with me! :'( We checked and retraced some steps (mummy Peace even went as far as walking back the next morning but alas all no no avail) And i'm afraid to say my friends that that is, sorry was, the end of one of the most beautiful of relationships i have ever had. I can only hope that some caring Swede, who liked the colour red, picked her up nad gave a her a good home! She was a good friend to me, keeping me warm on all those Northern, Southern, all over the show, winter days! O she sahll be sadly missed, but i must move on or a i shall drown in a flood of memories!

Post health walk we got back to Lund and had a curry! Yum! :D

End of day two.

Peace visit: Day 4/5 - Trip to Kalmar/Oland

Day four was mostly a travelling day, driving from Lund to Kalmar, which is on the East coast and about 4/5 hours away. We hired our lovely, little VW Golf and set off, again Daddy Peace having to get used to the funny way round cars here and the nonsense of driving on the right - which by the way only changed from the left around 1965ish - isn't that loco!

After being amazed at the complete lack of traffic on EVERY road (why o why can't the M25 be like these roads, going to London, or anywhere South, would be heaven!!) And somehow, even thourgh we were on a 'travelling' day we still somewho managed to have lunch OUTSIDE again in the FREEEEEEZING cold!! (this was most definitively a Mummy Peace idea!) Lawrence even tried to put on his thermals OVER his clothes it was that cold!!

But once back in the waaaaaarm car, Kalmar finally loomed in the not so far distance. Used my Swedish again to ask a poor random man where Hotell Svanen was ( i really really don't think he had any clue poor thing!) Arrived, unpacked and went in search of food, and O MY was it COLD that night!!! It was FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZING!!!!! especially after all the nice weather we'd had in Lund, we were asking ourselves why we left! Found Chinese tonight - yum! and Lawrence tried duck for the first time, such a fun interactive dinner, what with the pancakes, the cucumber and all!
Scuttled home, all wrpapped up for the cold. End of Day 4

Day 5
Splendid fun on a Paradisgatan stroll on the island of Oland. Interestingly Oland was an island so full of Windmills in the 1700 that it actually had more windmills than Holland! There only survive 400 now, and we saw an impressive...76 on our two days there!

Seriously got lost today on the walking front, and ended up walking through what appeared to be someones garden, but they have the 'free walkers right' here which means that everyone has the right to all the land - really a wonderful idea and only possible here in Sweden where everything is so safe and not in need of fences or barbed wire!! But we finally found the 'sleeping' vaderkvarn (windmill) and thus where we were on the 'interesting map they gave us that consisted of a MOST random hand drawn route and certain 'signposted' landmarks. It really was unique! But the weather was beautiful so eerything seemed perfect!
again lunch outside (sensing a theme yet?!) Had a mini tour round the south of the island, and back over the fabulous hump bridge that connects the island to the main land.

And of day 5

Kiruna Day 4 - Abisko

So woke up to our last morningin our lovely little chalet in the most amazing Abisko National Park. Could have quite happily stayed for SO much longer and played in the snow forever!

Our last morning was jam packed before we left for the train home with snow show walking. Once dropped at the tourist information we were kitted out with our very sexy snow shoes and then show the path up to the cable car. Now when i say cable car i am absolutely certain it does not convey the sheeeeeeer size of this beast! It was literally ALL the way up the mountain side! The view from it being absolutely AMAZING from. Once at the top we hopped of the cars and headed up the peak of the mountain. Unfortunately we ran out of time and didn't quite make it to the top before we had to head back down. back at the cable car we saw people beginning to come up to ski down, and o my seriously i don't know HOW these people have the non fear to just launch tehmselves over the edge and ski down - UNBELIEVABLE!

The journey down was a little more hair-raising than the journey up as i realised just HOW high up we really were! Especially at one point when we were dangling out over a snow ledge! But we reached the bottom and so sadly had to trudge back to the tourist info to collect our bags and head for the train :'( A very quick snow ball fight before the train and then on we piled, back into our cabins as the train departed at 12:35 for the mammouth expedition home. There was no party cabin this time around due to sheer exhaustion of everyone after possibly one of the funnest, adventure weeks ever!!

Sadly enough we arrived in Lund the next day around 3ish and unfortunaltey stepped of the train back into reality :'( No more snow.

An aamaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing trip!

The End.

Kiruna Day 3 - Abisko

Dog sledging day!

SO much fun i can't even describe!! The dogs are SOOOOOO eager to get out there and begin running! After a brief safety talk we were shown how to get the dogs into their harnesses and then how to attach then to the sleigh. The group divided into two, the first group sledging the other half snow mobiling (which was AWESOME!)

We were group two and well, it was a snow mobile with a wooden box on skis attached on the back. It was a FANTASTIC way to travel! :D When we got half way the groups swapped and dog sledgoin joy began. It was so cool, and i'm not kidding when i say i was Angelina Jolie (obviously!) in Tomb Raider when she's dog sledging in the film! The little doggies go so fast and going down hill, well now that IS exciting!

The day finished with a true Swedish sauna (hot hot sauna, then run out and roll in the snow, then back into the hot hot sauna! Actually more cleansing and enjoyable than it sounds!)

End of Day 3, exhausted but glowing!

Kiruna Day 2 - Abisko

Well after waking up at the crack of dawn this morning (literally!) Shana and I decided to have a wander round Kiruna before the rest of the world woke up. It was truly truly boootiful all quiet and full of snow everywhere! :D

When 'normal' time arrived the day began as we headed off to Abisko National Park for some joyous outdoor activities. Our adventures began with what we now affectionately call 'the cave of doom!' From the name it might be possible to guess that it was a little bit 'exciting' to say the least! To get to our 'exciting' cave we had to walk up the mountain someway which was absolutely beautiful and really quite peaceful until we arrived! Upon arrival the cave mouth, (none of us actually realising it was the entrance due to the excessive smallness of the entrance) our hero of a giude whipped out his dismantable spade, put it together and then began to dig steps into the snow for us to descend into the cave. These lovely steps didnt last long though, after about the first two people they had pretty puch dissappeared :( so that left the rest of us to slide down the snow, clinging onto the rope for dear life! And this is truly where the adventrue began! Going down was SO scary cos it was slippy, we didn't know how long the descent was, it was dark and o my well it was adventerous to say the least!

Was finally at the bottom ( the relief of touching the ground even after that little ammount of slipping/descentness was great!) our little expedition into the cave and the small spaces that go with it began! It was AWESOME!! We were climbing over rocks, crawling in between little spaces, crouching beneath over hangs and then we had a drink at a pure mountain spring underwater that was freeeeezing but really really good! We also got told to turn our lights out here just to show that there really was NO light at all (i will admit that it was a little bit freaky sat under the earth in PITCH BLACK! I coulnd't help but think of The Descent, not a pleseant thought for that time!)

So then we had to turn back and retrace our steps out, and o my, so here comes the worst part of all! Now the ascent UP the rope was, well, what words can i use here...?? None seem suitable! After having stumbled up ALL the mountain walk, poor Shana now had to navigate UP the slippery slope in her boots (whcih were the reason behind the slipping and sliding!) Now i am not normally a person who sees the bad side of the situation but i'm not kidding at one point i actually thought she was NEVER gona make it out of the 'cave o doom.' Everytime she made a step her feet just fell down again. Our hero guide came to her rescue though and after about 20 minutes of trying she was pulled from the cave mouth by the saviours of the other group beyond! O it was scary, especially as we had to go after that, and really i have NEVER been good at rope climbing, these muscles of mine just aren't good enough!

But we survived, thnakfully and the journey down the mountain was MUCH tfunner than up cos we got to slide down in whichever manner we fancied - excellent!

End of Day 2