A Swedish Odyssey......

Friday 29th June. It rained very heavily again overnight but we got up early and finally left Louise's very comfortable home just after 6.00am heading for Manchester Airport. Heavy rain all the way up the motorway but not a bad run and returned the car at 8.20am having traveled a total of 3374 miles while in England. I'm sure it would have been a lot more if we hadn't been crook.
No problems at the airport until I got pulled over for having two bottles of scotch in my hand luggage!! I just forgot about them. Had to go back and send them through as baggage.
We arrived in Sweden, at Arlanda airport, and were met by Jim. A very easy airport to get through, we just seemed to walk out, doors opened and there was Jim. A short walk of about 100m within the terminal, doors opened and we were on a train that looked and felt more like a plane. Actually it was more comfortable and lots more room than a plane!


It sure is faster than the trains into Sydney.


It looks like lovely countryside, even if it is going passed very fast.
We got off the train in the centre of Stockholm and got a taxi to Elin and Jim's apartment. They have arranged for us to have an apartment in the same block for the next couple of weeks. They put a notice on the board in the hallway to the block and found a young lady who was going on holiday and who was prepared to rent her apartment. Lovely looking city and their apartment is in a nice area.


This is the view from our windows, overlooking the local kindergarten. After moving in and doing a bit of unpacking we were taken on a quick tour of the area down to the water front, one block away. Very nice area with lots of very modern apartments.






After our walk we showered and changed before going around the corner on the same floor to Elin and Jim's to meet.....

P-G, Elin's father and his partner Agneta. Its strange to finally meet part of Elin's family. Jim had arranged for all the family to meet up but P-G and Agneta where going away to their summerhouse up country.

Elin and Jim had arranged a Swedish welcome dinner and we finally met Elin's Mom, Mia and her Grand Mother, Matia, who had travelled many hours to meet us.

Also Mia's partner Ulf and David, although we had met David before when he came to stay with us in Sydney.



Lots of good food, many toasts with Schnapps and very good company. Jim could always get a job as a chef. The night seemed to go on for ever as we didn't realise that it stayed light so late. From memory it was about 10.30pm before it started to get dark, and it was a slow process, not like here where the twilight is very short.

Last Year ......

Thursday 28th June. A beautiful sunny morning with a light breeze. Our last day in this lovely part of England.


Went for a walk through the fields around Louise's and Westwood house before heading into Worcester shopping for small gifts for the next part of our holiday.



The river is still in flood but at least the swans are closer to feed. The height of the water can be seen by the bridge in the background.





This is the gateway that gives access to the river side walk below the Cathedral. The flood level markers are on the other side.
Home to get some packing done before a very nice dinner at The Crosskeys in Ombersley.
Lots of phone calls from and to family and friends which are always upsetting when we probably wont see them for another few years. Heading off to Sweden to see how Elin and Jim live!

Last Year ......

Wednesday 27th June. What an exciting day this turned out to be! No rain but overcast.
Di went to get her hair done so I went to check out the nearby canal and Hanbury Wharf. Lots of very nice narrow boats in the marina and for sale.


While I was waiting for Di, I had a phone call from Richard, Andrews son, who was to take me for a ride in his helicopter and we arranged that he would pick me up at about 12.30pm.


Sure enough, he arrived on time and landed on the grass behind the house much to the amazement of the two lady gardeners.


From this aerial view of Westwood House which shows its unusual shape. The square central part was originally a royal hunting lodge and the turreted towers on each corner were added in the reign of Elizabeth 1st.


Louise's property is in the top left hand corner, beyond the original servants accommodation and stables.


Louise's 'L' shaped house and grounds at bottom centre.


Flying over the small village of Ombersley before heading South and following the River Severn.



Looking down the flooded Severn valley towards Worcester.



If you know where to look you can pick out our old house in Northwick, backing onto the flooded area.


Worcester Race Course under water.


Worcester Cathedral. The flood level markers are at the gate house near the white house at bottom right, well under water. (see entry for Friday 15th June)


The Worcester Cricket Ground under about a metre of water. An international match was due to start the next day!



Back at Louise's showing off my freshly water pressure cleaned patio.




To complete a lovely day, we had dinner with Mal and Ivor at The Bull, Fernall Heath, returning to the patio for coffee and to watch the sun set.

Last Year ......

Sunday 24th June. Still raining! Elin and Jim packed and after a pub lunch up the road we left for Manchester so they could catch their late afternoon flight back to Stockholm. Those weeks have flown by.

Monday 25th June. Very heavy rain overnight and still coming down. Packed up and left Barbara and Garth's after a lovely stay and moved down to Louise's house in Droitwich.


She knows her Aunt and Uncle well. This is the welcome along with a full fridge and all the supplies we would ever need.


This pile of logs didn't last long as its cold, wet and miserable. We kept getting power cuts so the light from the stove is great.


Tuesday 26th June. We had very strong winds and heavy rain over night. No rain this morning but bright with a cool wind. Electricity workers came and repaired a downed power cable some where in the grounds of the old house.


Photo taken from the top of the drive towards Malvern.



Early morning walk across the fields near Louise's and Westwood House.


Alongside the old house.

The front facade of Westwood House.



This is different old house. This is the drive up to nearby Hanbury Hall.



Some of the lovely gardens at Hanbury Hall.
Di has arranged to have her hair done tomorrow and if the weather improves I am going for a helicopter ride. Did some water pressure cleaning of the patio.

Last Year ......

Friday 22nd June. We had a good night out last night meeting up with some of Di's old school friends at a pub just up the road.

Heavy rain overnight. We rang Ray and arranged to meet up for lunch at the Crooked House but due to road flooding we had to go elsewhere. Still had a very nice lunch.

We drove into Birmingham to spend the evening with Louise and Andrew. Met up at Louise's apartment before going out to dinner at a local Italian Restaurant in Brindley Place.


Louise's apartment.

Looking down onto a section of the canal from Louise's apartment where I recognised a very famous pair of narrow boats. The Duke and Duchess form a Hotel Boat. Live on one while towing the buttey which is the sleeping accommodation.

Very good evening but home late.

Last Year ......

Thursday 21st June. Nice day but cloudy with the chance of rain. Caught the train into Birmingham where we all split up and I walked up town, as far as Gas Street basin, taking photos.


How strange are some people. This is the beach in the Bull Ring. Wonder what time the tide comes in??


Sherbourne Wharf. Got caught in heavy rain.


Canals near Louise's apartment.


Gas Street basin.

Last Year ......

Wednesday 20th June. The weather was dry but overcast. Di was still having problems getting in to see a doctor so Gill Beasley very kindly gave up her own appointment for Di. In return, Jim fixed a problem with their e-mail. Set off just before lunch and went to Ludlow. It started to rain and so after a very quick look around, we had lunch and then drove on to Stoksey Manor. Still raining a bit.


Stoksey is a fortified Manor House.

The old Gate House to Stoksey Manor.


As the weather had improved we carried on across to Much Wenlock......


and Bridgnorth before heading for home where dinner was cooked by Jim.