Briefly speaking....

Okey dokey - the week or so in brief:

So I went up to the biggest "happening" in Norrland. It's an expo that has everything from household products to craft items.

Bought a little something something for my parents and myself some awesome earrings and a ring both of which are handcrafted by a local artist out of vintage spoons!

Next was dinner at Emil and Maria's house - smoked fish - literally smoked just 1/2 hour before it got to the table in this very handy and manly smoking device!!

I also got to try beaver meat. Disturbingly I posted this on facebook and actually received a recipe for it back from one of my mates. Takes all sorts!

Oh and at some point I learnt a very valuable lesson about wine and dandelion bushs. Drink wine, don't be as coordinated - end up in a dandelion bush.

On Saturday just gone Ida and I organised a BBQ for some friends and it was heaps of fun - even in Sweden the men are around the meat while the women are inside!

After eating we played a traditional Swedish game of coordination called Kubb. I actually managed to hit something so I was quite impressed. Basically you try and knock out your opponents 5 wooden pieces. Once you hit one from the other side you get to throw it in the middle then you have to try and hit it again. Once you get all their pieces you have to go for the King piece in the middle.

There were two Kiwis playing that day - guy in purple top is Ida's cousins hubbie Matt from  the Mount

Julle goes in for the throw

New friends! Arun and I

It's actually quite fun! I have learnt the Swedes do love their games after they eat but I believe this is a good thing - particularly for the digestion.

Snus makes your lips go funny ( I don't have any in just mocking Julle)

Jo'berg and Ida

Awww. All tuckered out

I also learnt that it is not wise to try and move too quickly on slippery floors while running away from Swedes - ouch!

I bruise and I am slightly unco - it makes for an interesting mixture

I have been helping out around the house and making dinner. I must say though that after walking around the hoooge ICA supermarket in Solbacken it was nice to then realise that they don't sell udon noodles at all here. Or the hokkien ones that are sealed up. I suggested I import a few Asians from Howick to boost their lagging Asian dining experiences here. I really miss the easy access to places like Tai Ping, etc. I have however found vermicilli noodles and shall be trying to make my first ever (because I always get Maman to make it hers is the best!) Island chop suey. I am going to make Ida try it before anyone else a/ because I'm less scared of poisoning her and b/ because she's tasted Maman's chop suey and so will be able to tell me whether or not I get near the mark.

Yesterday was Ida's sister's 5 year anniversary of her passing. We went to Anne's grave and it is in the most peaceful beautiful setting. It was perfect weather yesterday and it was comforting to the soul to sit for a moment and take stock on life.

Today we are off to the oldest area in these parts so will update on that.

Oh - this is also an old shot but this is where I am staying!

FINALLY a big shout out to my mate Ian Hui who Remote Assisted me from NZ and helped me sort out my PC issues - you rock Hui!!