MIDSOMMAR I SVERIGE
Sunday June 2nd was a day to look forward to! Our dearest Anne arrived in Sweden to spend some time with us and to look after our four-legged friends later that week.
On Monday, we visited Marstrand, an island just north of Gothenburg along the Bohuslän coastline, accessible by a short ferry. A beautiful trail led us around the island and along Skallens Lighthouse. This is the island’s outermost post, from where the mighty meeting between the two seas, Skagerak and Kattegatt is visible. Carlstens Fortress is also impressive! We really enjoyed Anne’s company and the dogs were all excited to see her again.
Marstrand & Carlstens Fortress
The sweetest, Anne & Skallens Lighthouse
Dogs included, even when they have to be carried ;-)
On Tuesday June 4th we had to get up early to catch our plane to Brussels. Along the day, we met some dear friends and colleagues. We spend the evening with Tine and Sepp, his parents Paula and Jaak, and George. We had a delicious dinner at an Egyptian restaurant. Yummy! Thanks for the invitation Tinne and Sepp! We also got to sleep at “hotel Tinne and Sepp”, were our motorbikes also stayed since we moved. We can’t thank you enough for everything and more…
Wednesday June 5th noted the first day of our journey to bring our motorbikes to Sweden. We traveled from Hechtel-Eksel (BE) to Travemunde (DE) where we would take an overnight ferry in the evening. We had an uneventful journey, although 600km of mostly highway was rather weary on me. But we did it! We arrived in Travemunde well in time to get onto the “Nils Holgersson” ferry where we enjoyed a well-deserved drink and a good night’s rest.
The next morning, we got off the ferry in Trelleborg (SE). Today was “only” a 350km drive before arriving home to Anne and our fur babies. Once the weather is a little more compliant, we will be able to enjoy some nice bike rides in Sweden as well.
From Hechtel-Eksel (BE) to Travemunde (DE), ready to board the Nils Holgersson
Sunset aboard of the Nils Holgersson & ready to get off!
Home safely!
Meanwhile, Alex had started the “SFI” course. And before you think he’s up to some strange(r) things: SFI means “Swedish For Immigrants”. It had nothing to do with science fiction… Although I must admit some of the pronunciations in Swedish are quite “out of space”. The spoken word very often really doesn’t match the written word, which doesn’t make it easier.
As the SFI course took place during the day, I couldn’t join Alex. So, I started an online evening course. “Jag heter Valérie och jag talar pytteliten Svenska”… Work in progress (a lot of!).
Next achievement: WE HAVE A SWEDISH BANK ACCOUNT, and even more important, a Swedish BankID! Almost everything in Sweden depends on your BankID, even more than on our Swedish personal number and identity card. Just one more thing that still doesn’t work: Swish, the Swedish counterpart of Payconic. This will only be active when we have a Swedish mobile number.
Three weeks ago, we finally got to meet the most helpful and charming Chris with whom I have been chatting since months about our move to and work in Sweden and cardiology in general. We had a great evening with food and a small whiskey tasting. We’ll definitely do this again! With some mint chocolate also ;-)
And last but not least for this blog: being crazy doesn’t hurt… although having to get up at 02h30 to leave in time and drive to Norway to participate at the Tollerspecialen in Elverum did sting a little. We had a wonderful day at the Toller specialty with 91 Tollers and it was so good to meet some Facebook friends. I also got to mee Lexie “Lauvstuas Rallyfox Happy Alexie”, Rusty’s daughter bred and living in Norway. Luka “Fanta’stic Red Bad Boy” had his very first show experience and was awarded a “1st Excellent” placement with a beautiful report in 4-6 months old puppy class. Father Rusty “MultiCh Alliance de la Vie Fox And Hound” was shown in veteran class and was awarded a “3rd Excellent”, also with a beautiful report. The showgrounds were next to Starmoen airfield, so we could watch some pretty planes as well. After 18 hours and 960km we were back home safely. Tired, but happy! <3
Luka aka “Fanta’stic Red Bad Boy”, 5,5 months old.
Luka’s very first rosettes!
Rusty aka “MultiCh Alliance de la Vie Fox And Hound”, almost 9 years old.
The support team: Phoebe & Vaca
Starmoen Flyplass Elverum