Good Friday

Needless to say, Good Friday is a dull day. Here came snow and we had a sparse lunch with sparrowgrass, egg and toast.

A princess birthday party

Yesterday I was at a birthday party of my grandchild Siri (3) and her mother Maria (30). Lots of family people and the grandchildren was everyones property this day. Hard-to-get-sharp-pictures that is =) Somehow I managed to get some not-too-blurry stills. Here they are.

Visiting my hometown

Last weekend I went home to visit my parents. I wanted to investigate more of their old negatives for a book I am working on and give them some PC support. I managed to do some photographing as well.

Daddy checked out some information from an old correspondence course in photography

Kamelia Royale

Today we went to see the exhibition Kamelia Royale at the Drottningholm theatre. Garden art works by the Danish "Flower king" Tage Andersen. Not my cup of tea but it was my wife's idea. She shot 100 pics while I was satisfied with half of it. What can I say about it? Art is art. Either you like it or not. There was certainly some interesting objects, but too many was very similar to attract me.

Caged roses

And a lot of built trees with real tied flowers. They just don't fit in black & white. Sorry.

The memory of trees

The weather was just fine last Sunday. Where I live, that  is. I decided to drive out on the islands for some photography. I didn't get farther than Drottningholm before a mist surronded me. My plan was suddenly spoiled but I went on anyway. Maybe the mist would take off before I arrived my destination? Well, it didn't. I shot som pics anyway and turned back home.
There are several plantations of apple trees along the road on the islands and when I saw the old apple trees in the mist, one beside the other in a spooky atmosphere I just had to stop and shoot some more. Here are some of the Sundays picture harvest. Converted to black and white, of course.
Finally I found a couple of old solitude oaks to complete my tree safari.

Sitting

My youngest son is soon to be a nurse. He and his fellow students invited their families for a so called "sitting" over a three-course dinner with larks for entertainment. I was early and managed to catch some shots at their rehearsal. When the other guests arrived there was a welcoming on the second floor with drinks and songs followed by a quiz walk in the building before the actual dinner and larks. Here are some shots from the evening.

Sudden fame

Today I got published at the streetphotographerblog. I applied to be featured quite a while ago and forgot all about it until just a few days ago. As my street photo blogs are discontinued, the editor chosed to link to my everyday blog. But my street blogs are still out there so anyone who is curious about the street pictures, welcome to browse in to

STREET or Streetsnapper

I am planning a new site at Wordpress for my main photo interests where street photography is one. Watch out for it when it comes.

Polish dinner

A couple of days ago I had dinner with some colleagues and friends. We are all selfemployed mechanical design engineers that like to meet once in a while over some food and talk about just anything and of course our companies well-being. Anything you can expect for business people to talk about.  This time Stefan invited us to a Polish restaurant. The sign on the wall said Café but the entrance looked like a closed business. No people I knew in the first room. Far inside I can see some sort of continuation. A stair down to the basement! Ends in another room, but no acquaintances there. Oh, another room farther in and there they are. A larger room with several tables but only two occupied. For us.
The menu promised some different courses but all was not available. Anyway, all was very tasty and we enjoyed the meal and company. And Polish beer, of course. Coffee and apple pie for desert. But, oops, not for everyone. This is definitely not a Swedish retaurant. Refreshing!

Sigtuna - the first city of Sweden

Last Sunday we went to Sigtuna which is the first city of Sweden founded in 980 AD. Also a residence of the first king of Sweden, Olof Skötkonung. Stockholm was not thought of yet. However, not much of its early days are visible. It looks more like a small town in the 17th century. Well preserved, least to say, and very cosy for a Sunday promenade which was just our aim.

At least we found some old ruins supposed to be from the 13th century.

 

Birthday party in Gothenburg

My son Philip had his 28th birthday last week and I took the chance to visit him on Saturday. The fastest way to Gothenburg, door to door, is the express train X2000. Walked out of my house at 6.45 AM heading for the subway. My backpack on my back and my X100 in my hand snapping my way to the metro station. Half an hour later I am at Stockholm Central.

All pictures are "click-to-enlarge"

I had breakfast at home but surprisingly I had one more on the train in spite I didn't order it with the ticket. Amazing.

Philip came to meet me at Gothenburg Central. He just woke up and was severely aching for breakfast. I made him company but declined a third breakfast. I was stuffed, least to say.

Then bus to his flat but since not every inhabitant was quite ready for the party yet we decided to take a walk in the port by the ships and docks.

We managed a VERY short visit to the Radio museum. When we entered they were closing. I shot a snapshot through the door. Well, next time...
Back home and guest are arriving in small clusters. Easygoing juvenile bohemians crowded the flat and we had a good time together. A waterpipe with apple "tobacco" came on the table and after some ritual handling a pleasant smoke filled the room and gave the whole gathering an oriental touch.

As you can see there was dinner coming up and we had a marvelous pasta with secret ingredients. Secret for you, that is. The time were rushing towards my departure and for some reason there was an intermission in the bus time schedule so Philip called for a cab. There was one right in the neighborhood so I finished my pasta in a few seconds, gathered my things and left the party after some hugs and goodbyes.
I didn't like to leave so abrupt but I couldn't miss my train.

Everything fun seems to be prohibited in railroad stations. Had a prawn sandwich as supper on the train. Stuffed again. The pasta was the best meal today.

Arrived at Stockholm Central at 10 PM and at home at 10.45 PM tired after an unusual long day but in a merry mood.