Oh Fika
We spent our Easter long weekend with Family in Sweden. About two hours north-ish from Stockholm is Nås, a small town where Andy's Uncle, Aunt two cousins live on a typical rural Swedish property.
Blacksmith's Workshop, Nås Sweden
The beautiful big main house sits next to the guesthouse that we are lucky enough to have stayed in. The blacksmith's workshop and old mill are down by the river, and all of the houses on their property are painted the striking 'Falun Red', so typical of rural Swedish houses. What a perfect place to spend my first ever weekend in the country.
Stairs to Sala, Sala Silver Mine Sweden
Tunnels, Sala Silver Mine Sweden
Mine Shaft, Sala Silver Mine Sweden
We spent our weekend eating, chatting, exploring and playing. With two young cousins to entertain us, Andy and I found ourselves (happily) assuming the roles of trampoline, football opponent, lego assistant and dancing partner.
In amongst all of these (exhausting, for the likes of two twenty-somethings) activities, we were also got a chance to explore some of the local gems that make this part of Sweden so charming and so important to the country's history.
Forest, Nås Sweden
Dappled Forest, Nås Sweden
Forest Path, Nås Sweden
We partook in a delicious Allen Family tradition - freshly baked scones with homemade jams made from the berries picked on the property last spring - and this started our Saturday perfectly.
A lunchtime visit to the nearby (by Swedish standards) Sala Silver Mine, was the first chance I have ever had to go down into a mine. I was worried that my fear of heights might somehow translate into a fear of the underground, but fortunately no fears crystalised while we were 60 metres down.
Family Walks, Nås Sweden
Stumped, Nås Sweden
Dina, Nås Sweden
It was dark and quiet down in the tunnels and rooms shaped by years of mining by fire to peel away the stone.
Learning about how important mining is to the economy of this part of Sweden (indeed both Rod and Ann currently work in the industry), whilst exploring the ancient tunnels and shafts of Sala was enlightening.
Rock Light, Nås Sweden
Lichen, Nås Sweden
Bonsai-ed, Nås Sweden
Where we toured, the tunnels and shafts dated from the 1600s to the 1960s when the mine closed for business. It didn't close from lack of silver, and this is surprising to me given that there is evidence of mining silver at this site for almost 3000 years!
Conditions have definitely changed at Sala since it was a working mine, but it is some seriously important history that I am grateful we got a chance to experience.
Vitamin Moss, Nås Sweden
Micro Moss, Nås Sweden
Sunday started with more baked treats to fuel us for a walk in the local forest. A walk that the family - including Dina the talking Golden Retriever - takes in all weather, was pretty special for Andy and I.
Insect Tracks, Nås Sweden
Forest Road, Nås Sweden
Husks, Nås Sweden
As I hung back, taking photos of the mossy ground, trees and glacial drop stones (some as wide as 2 metres!), I hoped to catch a glimpse of a Moose! They proved elusive on this day and in retrospect two bounding children and Dina happily chatting away probably didn't help my search, but no love was lost!
It was a gorgeous walk, made even more interesting by Ann's advice on which moss is packed with Vitamin C and which fern roots taste like sugar. Important survival tips that I am glad I now know, but hope I never need to put into use!
Fika, Nås Sweden
Frozen Mill Wheel, Sweden
Iced, Sweden
The afternoon was spent visiting another town to take fika in a refurbished mill. Fika is my new favourite word. It perfectly describes something that I do a lot - taking time out to enjoy tea or coffee with a little treat alongside.
After an afternoon and evening of prepping the Swedish country woodfired oven, making and eating a LOT of pizza, we were well and truly content with our lovely Sunday.
Iced Wheel, Sweden
Mill on Stilts, Sweden
The Mill, Sweden
Having the chance to spend Easter with such a welcoming and fun family was made a tad easier this year - Sweden is a little closer to Glasgow than to Canberra!
I hope that we get another opportunity to revisit lovely Nås. Maybe in Autumn so we can partake in another important Allen family tradition - picking and eating so many berries that your lips turn blue.
Lined with Birch, Mine Chapel Sweden
Mine Chapel, Sweden
Window, Mine Chapel Sweden
Stepped Up, Mine Chapel Sweden
