The Stockholm City Hall is a clear landmark in the Stockholm city scape. Though I have passed by every now and then, I hadn't entered until one day last week. I had completed a morning appointment in the city, the weather was excellent and I had time to explore, so I did. The city hall … Continue reading Stockholm City Hall
Category: Sweden
To live in Sweden
Back to Malmköping
Time moves slower here. I feel it when I walk down the picturesque but near empty main street on a Saturday morning. I feel it when I do the dishes in the outdoor kitchen after dinner. I feel it when I flip through the local newspaper featuring a double length centre fold story where a … Continue reading Back to Malmköping
A thousand year old carving of Sigurd the dragon slayer
One hour west of Stockholm lies Eskilstuna. 10 km north east of Eskilstuna at Lake Mälaren lies Sundbyholm. Today featuring a horse track that draws an audience from all of Sweden, I’m here for another reason. The foundation of the bridge near the Ramsund carving is still visible. Hidden in a nearby forest, on a … Continue reading A thousand year old carving of Sigurd the dragon slayer
Destination Kebnekaise
I’m preparing for a trip to Kebnekaise this summer. Kebnekaise is Sweden’s highest mountain with two peaks. The glacier-covered southernmost top used to be the highest but due to changing climate, the northernmost top is now the highest at 2096.8 meter above sea level. Kebnekaise is located far north in Sweden, close to the border … Continue reading Destination Kebnekaise
Russia out of Ukraine
Every week since the start of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Swedes have gathered in front of the Russian Embassy in Stockholm to show their support for Ukraine. Today I joined with my kids. Flags, banners, speeches. Shouting over the fence towards the building carrying a lonely Russian flag in a sea … Continue reading Russia out of Ukraine
Skansberget
South of Stockholm lies Tullinge, and just north of Tullinge lies Skansberget, a hill overlooking Tullinge Lake. 1500 years ago the water level was higher and the fresh water lakes of Alby and Tullinge were likely a brackish inlet of the Baltic Sea. Remains of Iron Age fortifications are scattered around Tullinge Lake and when … Continue reading Skansberget
Return to House on the Hill
In February I visited a nearby House on the Hill, a 19th century wooden house now in serious need of some TLC. Back then I peeked through the windows. Today I entered. House of dreams. The house is owned by the City of Stockholm but maintained and managed by a group of volunteers. On condition … Continue reading Return to House on the Hill
LinCon 2025
LinCon is a game convention in Linköping, Sweden. After a pleasant visit last year, I returned this year for more. A two hour drive from Stockholm and spanning the four days of the Ascension school holiday, LinCon is a good destination for a family holiday. Linköping itself offers many sights and Sweden is at its … Continue reading LinCon 2025
Spelunking at Trollegater
30 km south of Linköping lies Trollegater, a natural reserve with caves formed as the ice retreated at the end of the last ice age. The Swedish name translates to “troll roads” and the ground is crisscrossed by cracks resembling city streets. Here and there dark cold openings lead into caves ready to be explored … Continue reading Spelunking at Trollegater
Even smart people do stupid things
Next time you find that you have done something stupid, take comfort in the following story that I found in a book about my local area. Smart people also do stupid things. You can still win the Nobel Prize. Swedish inventor Gustaf Dalén lived 1869-1937. He revolutionised shipping by automating lighthouses. His system of automatic regulators and … Continue reading Even smart people do stupid things