Andrew and I flew back from Lulea – we couldn’t face another overnight train, to be honest. It was great to be back in Taby, do some laundry, and reunite with Kathy and Louis who had used the few days we were up north to do some heavy Stockholm exploration. When we do these home exchanges it really begins to feel like we are “coming home” after our planned side trips – it’s very comforting. While the trip to Lapland was wonderful, it was good to have a couple of days to chill out in familiar digs.
We’d invited Hans and Pia (Our host’s parents who had greeted us so warmly at the start of our trip) to have dinner with us the second evening home, and my cooking mentor and all-time favorite chef – Kathy – was ready and willing to help plan and execute something special. I can let it be known that cooking is a necessary evil for me…I do it with love but it is not something I particularly enjoy doing. Kathy, on the other hand, not only enjoys it but does an excellent job at it! So I became the sous chef, and together we put a very fun meal together. The main dish was a yummy, spicy chicken with all sorts of veggies baked into a ‘one pot’ presentation – rave reviews there. With a salad…and then a strawberry cake that disappeared in two days!
The next day the four of us set off to explore some of the Stockholm islands that can be reached by car – one being Vaxholm. It has been really hot in Stockholm (80’s) and it became clear that the city folk escape to anywhere there is water and the chance to hop on a boat or jump in the water when sweat sets in. Vaxholm had been recommended to us as a quaint seaside community – which it is…but this day it was overrun by both locals getting onto their (or their friend’s boat) and tourists like us!
Since Vaxholm was too crowded for our mood (hot and sweaty, too) we decided to go explore some less hectic areas nearby. We stumbled upon a deserted castle that had lovely grounds with what looked like a currently deserted conference center/camp behind it. We moved on to a local swimming spot that was packed with kids having a blast in and out of the water. We opted to relax in the nearby grass and I took a lovely snooze in the shade of a tree.
Until next time,
Esther
Living La Vida Loca 