Svenglanders! -always abroad

An English mum and her son move from London to small-town Sweden. Not much to see here unless you know us. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-27911949-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

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black wall TV-total minimal version.mp4 from sarah brownrigg on Vimeo.

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The boy made a movie about our short trip to Malmö. It's mostly about Huxley the boxer dog. Next stop London!

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A message for Grandpa x

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This year's Easter twigs, done mostly by Hunter. #påsk #Easter #påskris

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We've been back for a few weeks now but lack of internet has kept me from posting. Grabbing some free wifi now to show we've wasted no time in getting back into the Swedish way of sporty outdoor life. Hunter has tried his hand at some new sports and is loving them all, especially when followed by a quality hamburger. Hej då for now!

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Hunter: Ah phew! Everyone is talking Swedish again. Me: That's because we're in Sweden. Hunter: Well that's no excuse.

[instagralmhult]

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The rumours are true. We're headed back to Älmhult!

I'm starting a new job at IKEA of Sweden, Hunter's going back to his old Montessori school. Good times and snowy days ahead.

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Do we really want all those things back? #day2of3

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Hej då to the big blue box

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Last visit to the secondhand store. Hej då Swedish hand-me-downs.

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Rescued a wounded dragonfly on the road. All in a day's work.

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Snake on a stick

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First day at school. Here we go!

Hunter started 'big school' today and, as we're moving back to the UK in a few weeks, it will be interesting to see how the different experiences stack up. Here are a few things I will miss on his behalf about his Swedish school: 1) No uniform - I doubt I'll ever be convinced that putting kids in uniform is a good idea. 2) No fence - the playground includes the usual play stuff, a ping-pong table and some woods, but it is not fenced in. I'll admit this one has taken me quite some time to acclimatise to but, as someone who hated the feeling of being penned in at school, I appreciate the responsibility it gives to the child. 3) No playing indoors - rain, shine, or snow, the kids play outside every single day. All it takes is the proper clothing and a drying cupboard in the school to take care of the odd soggy sock incident. (Spare clothes are kept at school for such events.) 4) No fees - it's a Montessori school and it's free. Sweden incorporates schools with different pedagogical approaches into the state-funded system so you don't have to be monied to have a choice.

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The window as waiting ode to the sun.

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Viking ship ahoy! Another great piece of Älmhult art history from Elme Glasbruk, by John Käll.

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Minor tomato obsession.

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Gorgeous pressed glass sun-catcher. Made here in Älmhult by John Käll for Elme Glasbruk in the 1960s. Tack Anna & Haldor for introducing me to this fabulous bit of local art history.