Primeval Medieval Whatever Tyresta National Forest

We're not people who do this kind of thing. We are the people who say "Oh, the kids are just gonna be whining the whole way, why bother, let's wait another fifteen years or so." And lately I've been a little fed up with being those people. So today, drumroll please, we made an Outdoor Excursion.


And it was lovely. It was brilliant and beautiful and I smiled for three hours straight.


We are no amateurs, so the food was a-plenty. Cinnamon rolls, pancakes, coffee and carrots. And more coffee.


And we wandered through a forest so old it's difficult to understand. We saw trees that have been standing since the 17th century. And we laughed and played and whined a little, but mostly we were just a family on an Outdoor Excursion. Then J started giving me long looks when I stopped to photograph every third meter, so you'll just have to take my word for it. It was magnificent, beautiful and it made me very happy. Maybe we are people like this. Or maybe we could be.

Thanks for reading.

Dear Light

Thanks for the view this morning. Sunrise over water with moon. Tales Of The Otori, the Stockholm edition. I can feel it changing now, the darkness finally giving in. I walked home at 16.35 and it was still light. Thank you. We need it.

Under Siege

It's snowing like mad. Like crazy, like cats and dogs and elephants and little freaking bastards. I've never seen anything like it. Remember this? That was a fresh breath of spring compared to this. So please excuse my silence, I'm trying to find myself (and my gloves) in the midst of this blizzarrrrd.

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!

Sweet reader Sophie has asked, on behalf of her soon visiting Danish friends, what to do in Stockholm when touristing with children. Here we go:

Stockholm is a great place, with or without kids. Don't let the fact that we recently left the city discourage you, there are lots of families with young children living in the city and you should be in good company. The sidewalks are huge, pram ramps abundant and most people friendly and positive in regards to the young'ns. Now, Swedes are BAD at understanding Danish. This is probably no news to you, but if you could find it in your heart to keep an open mind about this (though some people, of course, ARE idiots, just as you will assume), you would make me very happy.

So. First things first. You're not staying downtown, which can have it's perks when traveling with children. Smedsuddsbadet and Fredhäll are good public natural (not naturist, thank God) bath places not far from where you're staying, so take a dip. And at Kungsholmen you can get great coffee at Il Caffé. Moving on (downtown).

Junibacken you've probably heard of, but I'll recommend it anyway. Lines are loooong, though, so be there early or late. If your kids like Astrid Lindgren this should be a treat.

Rum för Barn at Kulturhuset is excellent for a rainy day or when you need a break from the city hassle. A library of sorts, but with no need to be quiet. Different things to do for different ages, exhibitions where you can touch and climb and examine everything and nice sofas for mom and dad. Toys, books, painting, crafts and more. And it's free. Go nuts.

The Vasa museum is good for young and old both and has the best smell. Sniff! Old boat never looked or smelled so good. Not liking the restaurant very much, though. Eat outside on the grass instead.

Skansen is great! At least some parts. Animals, folklore and old houses galore. But it's crucial that you bring your own picknick. You can buy waffles which are half decent, but everything else is terrible, expensive and served on paper plates. BYO. Cannot stress this enough.

Rosendal is a very pretty place on earth, and if you're into drinking expensive coffee and eating gorgeous lunches under the apple trees, while the children roam free, this is the place for you. Also there's a very good playground close by.

In case of rain: Most museums have good places for children to play and mess about. Try the special "playstations" at Stadsmuseet, Nordiska museet, Historiska museet, Sjöhistoriska or Naturhistoriska (the latter especially if your guy has reached the dino age). Lots of dress up and back in the days stuff.

Good coffee to be found at the Sosta bars downtown, Nero in Vasastan and Skåningen at Söder. Coffee is crucial.

Good parks for kids: Vasaparken in Vasastan, Kronobergsparken at Kungsholmen, Nytorgsparken at Södermalm. Stay away from Kungsträdgården, it could very well be the saddest place on earth.

Do go somewhere by boat! Anywhere really. Fjäderholmarna, Sandhamn, Stockholm under the bridges (though there's no beer on board the last one, as in Copenhagen).

Avoid Gröna Lund if you can. If you come from the Royal Capital of Copenhagen, this is a sorry excuse for a tivoli. And you can't drink the coffee or eat the food.

Good food and friendly waiters: Nero (pasta), Tranan (classic Swedish and pricey) and Bamboo Garden (average Chinese but loves kids).

Have to work now, or boss will kill. E-mail me if you have any specific questions. Enjoy your stay! But don't go skinnydipping in the city, you'll be regarded as freaks. We really aren't as liberated as people might think.

Hello Pope!

Feeling trapped, are you?

Daylight, Anyone?

We've been having a lot of this lately.


And though it's pretty in many ways, I'm having this big crazy ass craving for daylight. Call me a spoiled brat, but there it is. Please, please, please, bring on the light. Anytime soon.

Leo would fall off the wagon in two seconds if he had to endure a Swedish winter.

Signs Of Spring

Blue sky. Crazy cold, but blue.


Out of focus snowdrops, pictured by photographer with very cold hands.


Semla surprise for the kids. And their mama támbien.


Dinos in the kitchen. Happens every year, around this time.

Leo would take better pictures than these, but you're stuck with me, I'm afraid.

Photos Pour Hélène

(I know this is getting boring, but bear with me. These will be the last pictures of snowy Stockholm for a while. Chère cousine, c'est seulement pour toi.) Anyway: It was yet another beautiful day in the North and I headed out to the Japanese baths at Hasseludden.


My means of transportation. With very friendly captain.


I jumped off here and had a vision of us living in that green house overlooking the bay. Taking the boat to the office every morning, teaching the children how to swim, sitting on that bench watching the seagulls. But with us being far from billionaires, I guess not.


I spent the day indoors, soaking in the hot spring and eating sushi (not enough though, I was hungry the whole time). And when I went out six hours later, this is what greeted me. Hello snow. Hello freaking blizzard!


As I waited for the boat to come rescue me I felt very small. The darkness was like darkness in a John Ajvide Lindqvist novel. It seemed hungry.


I put on my brave face, but the dark would not be fooled. The wind was getting a piece of me, the snow sniffing it's way into my jacket. (Thanks to Igor Sport and Emilove I was never cold.)


When my friendly captain suddenly emerged I wanted to kiss him and his boat. I jumped on board like a happy mountain goat, giddy with relief. Darkness is not for me.

What would Leo do, being stranded on a desert island in a blizzard? Smoke? Maybe he'd call Potus for a little company.

Greetings From Stockholm

I haven't been this cold in years, but it's hard not to love the place when the streets suddenly look like an ancient postcard.


Blanka won't fall asleep in the stroller anymore, she keeps crying "cold! cold!", and who can blame her. But it is pretty.


It doesn't even look like home anymore! We could be in St Petersburg! All this bridge is missing is Anna Karenina flying by in fur coats and desperation.


These boats on the other hand, won't be going anywhere anytime soon.


Thanks for being lovely, dear capital of mine. But tomorrow I think I'll stay indoors. As a matter of fact, I'll be in Japan.

Leo will come with me, of course.