sweden

Five days in the land of Svens really wasn't enough. I truly could have stayed so much longer. In fact I would be quite content to return for ever, if my ma could join me of course. Then we would both be happy. I do plan on returning at the end of September to blue eyes, blonde hair and a hand that plans on writing to me.

I swam in the Swedish sea at half past two in the morning, ambled through patches of forest numerous times between the hours of 12 and 3 in the am, trotted about town with a two Swedes and a Finn eating ice-cream and drinking non-alcoholic strawberry wine and spent an afternoon with my main Swede walking about some sort of castle. On my last night there we played a ukulele on a pier as the sun woke over the lake as 5 o'clock came around.

Shocked as you may be to hear this, I also showered like a true Scandanavian aka amongst others in a shower room. No partitians, nothing between us but several inches. Being English/Australian/quite reserved I hesitated at first to join the Swedes and tried to shower at times they didn't but by the end of the week I was showering at prime time. When in Sweden, right?

 

got milk?

I baked up a storm last night, consumed a few too many of the goods (along with banana milk shots) and was left feeling a little ill. I awoke this morning, with a cookie induced hangover. I must say though, it was completely worth it. Twas a swell way to spend my last night with my fellow nanny in a mildly amazing abode. We were also graced with the presence of four lovely men, friends of mine and now Jodi's. She left this afternoon, and then there was one. I cried as she shut the taxi door and went inside to finish packing my things.

adieu caribou

On wednesday morning I said goodbye to three little people. We made a secret hiding spot and played tricks on Mike and Lindsey who were busy loading the car with the last of their belongings.

Little arms latched around my neck in the hallway and the little bodies they belonged to let little words run to my ears.

Tyler told me "I'm sorry you're not coming with us."
"Bye Ekenzie!" said my beautiful Bryce.
Kennedy's pacifier muffled the sounds coming out of her mouth.

I kissed my kids goodbye as I buckled them in and wished them well with a wave as they drove away. The car travelled round the bend and many tears were shed for the sake of those who sat inside it. I stayed in my pyjamas all day long.

palais des parties!

The latest of the Parsifal Palace parties occurred last weekend. Twas a French party and it was the greatest (only) French party I've ever attended. Smiles and stripes filled the living room as we did our best to sing the French National Anthem. All but one had an instrument or kitchen utensil in hand. I was the one, I had a camera. Beth went all out with a shovel and a spatula, which proved to be a winning combination. Utterly brilliant, it was.

top of the morn'

I went walking this morning along the river, under a bridge, through a meadow and down a gravel lane or two. It was glorious!

play me, i'm yours

There aren't too many things more wonderful than these street pianos. Such a clever thought. Such a strange sight. There are quite a number of them standing about in town, though I've only managed to find four or five. I wonder how many fingers have danced on the keys of each one, I wonder who those fingers belonged to and I wonder how many souls have been touched by the sounds that floated past them on their way to where they were going.

Murder Mystery at Merkister Hall

The Parsifal Palace was transformed on friday evening into Merkister Hall, home of Lotta and Brigadier Balderdash aka Emily and Angus. Everyone was dressed in 1930's attire and played a character at the dinner table. I was Gaye Gordon, a fiery authoress. The living room was also a little dressed up. A grandfather clock and a blazing fireplace, both lovingly handcrafted from cardboard and poster paints truly made the atmosphere all the more real.
Scripted conversations led us closer to solving the mystery and provided spoonfulls of laughter here and there. A whole cup of giggles spilt when Larissa aka Iona Cane, a teacher at the dinner, revealed that she had been accused of exposing herself in front of her class. The accusation was proved wrong, thank goodness. Lotta looked beautiful, seated beside Brigadier whose face was fitted with a cardboard spectacle. Utter brilliance!
When the soup had been eated and the cake was being served we talked amongst ourselves momentarily and speculated about who had murdered Levisham, the Balderdash's butler. The truth was told by the inspector and came as no surprise to some. The man of the house, Brigadier Balderdash had done it. In the billiard room with a sword. Killed his own butler, a loving friend of the family. Outrageous!