To have been in Sweden

After four nights and days in Gothenburg (which was sunny and not too cold) we're now back in the UK. It was just lovely to meet up with family (mum, dad, brother plus wife and their two daughters - M's cousins) and we're also able to celebrate M's youngest cousin's first birthday together with some more extended family. M plays so well with her 10 month younger cousin and we hardly saw them...The long weekend was all about walks, good food and laughter, as it should be. I hope it won't be too long till we see them all again. Of course I wish we lived closer to my Swedish family but at least when we do see each other it's proper quality time.

As it was two so called inset days at M's school this week we're having today off school/work as well and one of M's school friend (a favourite) is spending the day with us. It will be in in-door day as it's cold and it's raining.

On Friday we took the girls to Universeum, a brilliant aquarium/science museum in central Gothenburg (and realised I had called it Universum (The Universe) up till now which of course entertained my brother for the whole weekend no end...brotherly love).

Magic soap bubbles (pic above), a favourite at Universeum.

The famous (or for some infamous as they are certainly not loved by everyone) potato dumplings which are typical for the region where we come from, and not very common in Gothenburg where my brother now lives. A must when the family gets together, even if not on home ground.

TV snacks in front of the telly whilst watching the most important programme in Sweden at the moment, the Swedish song contest - the winner gets to (hopefully) take part in Eurovision this year. There is no UK equivalent to this, the winner is announced on the news, maybe, or you get to see it when watching the Eurovision. The Swedes are obsessed. Another thing I noticed is the selection of snacks, crisps, sweets and chocolate -it took up half the supermarket, just a slight exaggeration, and considering how healthy Swedes are perceived, I was surprised. In our local mid-sized Sainsbury's there is a small row, on one side, where the sweets live, that's it.

The biggest treat was carefully brought home, two of the best things there is in one - chocolate and salty liquorice (some of you may not agree with this).

 

When we got home these little beauties were waiting for us - spring is not too far away even though it feels like it today with only 2 degrees and rain....