St George's Day

And St Georges cross is swaying in the wind on a particular street in Sweden. Partly because it's :) Da's B-day which was started off, accordining to tradition, with a song and breakfast in bed. This is birthday number two out of five in the birthday season and next up is me . Is it daft that I still get excited by my birthday? I just love it. A day that belongs to mememememe. It's mine. It's all about me. Moi. One day I might grow out of it but I hope it's not anytime soon...

In other news we seem to be all set to be moving on Monday. We've been packed and ready to go for what seems like for ever and it's all happening next week. Haven't worked out the details yet but that will all get worked out after Saturday.

We also have visitors coming this weekend from England, two of dad's cousins and they're in for a good weekend!

Was going to finish off with a picture of the Birthday Boy (if you can call him that on his 64th) but I think you'll find this a lot more plesant.

A what-d'ya-call-it

(Can't remember the name in either language)

from our walk in the national reserve the other day

The birthday season...

...is upon us and was kicked off with a fourth birthday, the most important one of all....

The birthday bundle. It doesn't feel like four years ago I was woken up at some rude hour in the morning (8.17) by a text letting me know my sister had gone in to labour. I still remember meeting her for the first time this lovely little one. (mind you it was over 12 years ago I held Hampus for the first time and that feels like a minute ago)

The balloons, and the cake in all its green marzipan glory

Off to the cinema where we enjoyed vast amounts of popcorn, cheese doodles, sweets....
and then we partied the night away

A family easter

Easter is a big deal here in Sweden, a family holiday with lots of odd traditions like putting feathers in your garden and eating copious amounts of eggs.

Easter sunday was a family affair for us, a large chunk of the family went on an excursion to east Skane, a beautiful part of the world, where dad's friend Mark hosts an art exibition (another easter tradition in this area)

Most of us went in the car.

But some chose another method of transport.

I think they did 100 km that day.

crazy

Mark and his Swedish wife Lena live in an amazing house in the village of Wollsjo with its very own windmill. Unfortunately not for much longer as they have bought a lovely little cottage by the river, it's very nice but I will miss Wells House, especially around easter when local art fills the barn and mill.


We went for a walk around Wollsjo, to have a look at Mark and Lenas new house. It was a lovely day, but still a bit cold in the wind.

Picnic by the old pump house

The bundle

When we got back the rest of the family joined us and there was play in the garden followed by a wicked greek feed enjoyed by all!

There is a real feeling of spring in the air since about a week back and we've been making the most of it, getting out in the garden, building, digging, planting....

What was an overgrown flowerbed was turned in to a cottage garden. Picture it with strawberries fruiting and lots of herbs growing. Lovely!

Must run I'm going in to Malmo for some shopping and coffe with my oldest friend (in the sense that I've known her longest not and age thing.)

Not bad after all

D'ya know something, I'm starting to think that this can work out really well... Today has been a relaxed and happy day even though it was completely unproductive. It must have something to do with the fact that the sun is shining... I'm getting excited about Gotenburg, I'm getting excited about Sweden and living here, getting nice things for our home and hopefully finding a satisfying job.

has it?

has it sprung? I think so and It looked as though there was a lot of people in the main square in Lund that thought the same... Daffodils are popping up everywhere and it feels beutiful.

harland enjoying his first falafel as a Swedish resident

But time seems to be crawling, I can't wait for tuesday and the viewing of that flat we really want. 1 bedroom, sitting room, 58 sq m, light and spacious, in Vastra Frolunda, which is just where we want to be (near the rugby club and close enough to town but also near the sea). I want, want, want it but trying not to get my hopes up in case the landlady picks someone else...

falt hunting

sometimes there's only grandad

so far I've applied for a few flats but there is one in particular we have our eye on. it's a one bedroom corner flat, about 15 minute walk to the rugby club and 10 min tram ride to central gothenburg, just where we want to be. We're seeing it on tuesday and there is some competition for it so I suppose it's a bit hopeful to think that the land lady should chose us. hmmm...

time seems a bit floaty since we arrived here. I had a lovely weekend with my family and when Harland arrived on Monday I was thrilled to see him. Now that we've recovered from jetlag and that we do need to get cracking. One minute I feel like I've nothing to do and the next I'm overwhelmed by the thought of everything that needs to be organized...

a certain sister in my jacket + a certain nephew in my hat

a certain princess