Skansen,Sweden

A must-see destination in the surroundings of Stockholm is 

the open-air museum of Skansen. It was a revolutionary act to 

create the first out-door museum.The idea then had been 

to preserve Swedish customs against the onslaught of 

industrialisation in the late 19th century.

Skansen was founded in 1891 by philologist and ethnographer 

Artur Hazelius, who is buried here. Drawing from all parts 

of Sweden, he preserved examples of traditional 

Swedish architecture, including farmhouses, windmills, 

barns, a working glassblower's hut, and churches. 

What the founder could not have known was the service 

he was providing for tourists of the future, who want to see 

Sweden’s beautiful architecture and native animals in one place.

In most of those historical buildings, the staff are dressed 

in Swedish period clothing and play their role as bakers, 

cooks, dairymen. Otherwise, they demonstrate their skills 

as tanners, shoemakers, glass-blowers, ceramists...

All workers are extremely friendly and kind responding 

in good English to curious tourists .

Very kind to pose for a photo too!

Artists performing at the out-door scene.

We were fortunately lucky with the weather which, despite

 its frequent changes and some threatening rain clouds, 
did us the favour of staying dry!

 Swedish home made food was available and my hunger was 

satisfied with exquisite salmon and potato salad. 

And I couldn't resist to those delicious cakes... Yummy!!!

The park also has a zoo, carnival area, aquarium, theatre, 

and cafés, all attractions in the old, traditional style 
and child-friendly.

In Skansen, you can see everything has to do with daily life 

activities:  gardening, home maintenance, tank repair, 

berry picking...

Skansen is the place where traditions come alive.

It expands five centuries of Sweden history 

and makes you travel out of time. 

How great it is to travel...

For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with 

your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and

 there you will long to return...

Leonardo da Vinci

Blogland seems very quiet now, 

I'm quite fond of my little corner of the internet 

but a little tired too...

See you!

 bye!!! 

O 

The first plunge

On Pentecost week end we have launched the summer 

season by an all day visit to the beach.

You will not believe it but after coming back home and getting 

a glimpse of my photos, I realized how beautiful our beach 

is and how habit can alter and distort the image that we have 

from our reality. I mean that we are accustomed to the sea 

view and as personally I am not a big lover of the sea, I usually 

don’t give a damn! Nevertheless, observing the beach through 

the pictures, I was thrilled to see so much beauty! 

This is not Myconos or another tourist area but “my” beach 

all along the Corinthian gulf, a breath from home.

 Approaching the cost, the damp smell of saltwater and the

 aroma of the summer sea breeze permeated the air. 

The unsettled weather didn’t disturb us in any case and 

a brave soul has had her first plunge!  

The first jump into water, the aperitif, lunch and coffee 

took place in three different bistros but all photos have 

been taken in the same coastline, the same day. 

And later we were very lucky to witness an astonishing 

sunset and followed the sun’s path to the sea. Various 

colours blended as the time went by and we finished our 

day relaxed and satisfied with what summer 

has to offer ahead. 

I perhaps should reconsider my opinion about 

the charm of the sea.

“I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: 

a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, 

the sound of the sea. Nothing else.” 
― Nikos Kazantzakis, Zorba the Greek

Hope you also enjoy warm, golden days.

Sending love 

O

Days off!

Looking at this colorful, wavy billboard,
I thought it's finally time to wind down

 to chill out and feel free to dream

of summer,

of laziness, 

of slackness…

Days o f f for me, don’t be jealous, 

this is the schedule

and the lot of a teacher…

Oh, how precious are those days when

the biggest problem

is what fish to choose for lunch or

what shade of yarn matches the sofa best! 

So...
let's take a quick walk to refersh and recharge!

Took my bike! It accomplishes its mission perfectly

on the center footpaths, but this old pink “Piaggio”

caught my eye and reminded me of my two years'stay

 in Italy when all stylish young people, students mostly

used to move this way. So girly this one! 

I’ve never shown you some buildings of where I live,

 so you can see what I find ahead of me 

when I go downtown daily.

Where I eat frozen yogurt on a hot day like today

The palm lined Central Avenue

With 34 Celsius only the brave can move

 along under the sun…

included me!

Here I am. I’m interested in crocheting, but as a 

beginner I’m a little confused about the materials 

I need and the shades I like…

Should I buy this wooden screen or not?
It would be perfect in my laundry room and 
would be a lovely decorating project for me!
Anyway, my confusion does not only concern my 
crochet inspiration....haha!!!

 Let’s get a photo of it and of me! 

The courthouse.

Feelings of guilt!!!

This is where my husband exhausts

his energy and his genius while I’m strolling

idle and …happy!!! 
That's life! 

I reached my destination. Seafood!

But which one ?

And slowly, I find the way back but

 along the coastline as I have no pressure…

Sea anemones and violets,

So very wonderful!
Forecasters have warned of a rainy, windy weather 
 with hail storms... let's seize the opportunity and 
enjoy sea loveliness!

My stuff! 

At the end of the day, I can end up

totally wacky,

because I’ve made

mountains out of molehills.

With meditation, I can keep them

as molehills …

Ringo Starr 

You are the sweetest companions

Ι love to share my things and thoughts!

Sending hugs to all of you!

O