21 September 2023

It’s Gustav’s birthday and our Smörgåstårta needed it’s finishing touches, before our Birthday Brunch Celebrations could begin.

The cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes were added first, then a finely cubed hard boiled egg was piled on top and finally the prawns (“shrimp”).

It was a masterpiece!!!

And it tasted good too.

Gustav rated his birthday treat at 5/5. And so did we!!! Just a heads up to all potential guests, this could well be on the menu next time you visit.

I’m told that our version of Smörgåstårta is a healthier version than the shop bought one, which would use mayonnaise instead of crème fraiche, and even have cheese, olives, or pretzels added.

The sun was shining today and the temperature got to 25. It was a perfect day for a “hike” around the lake and it was glorious.

Gustav and Linnea are fellow geocachers. And Grahame and I were yet to record a “find” in Sweden. This was the perfect opportunity.

So, we searched for, and found several caches which have now been added to our international tally.

We also searched for and found blue berries, lingonberries and poisonous mushrooms. We walked, picked and ate two out of the three along the way.

One thing we didn’t search for, but found anyway ??? …….. A moose!! Sadly, it scared us as much as we scared it and it fled into the forest before we could get a photo. No pics to prove it but I have three friends who will corroborate!!

It was a lovely walk on a perfect day.

We rested up for a few hours before heading into Jönköping, about 30 kms away, via public transport. I scored the front seat on the top deck of a double decker bus and felt the necessity to record the event.

We were booked in to a lovely restaurant, on the edge of Lake Vätern, to continue the “Gustav Day of Festivities” with a special dinner. We enjoyed five (!!) course set menu at Sjön Restaurant. The meal was stunning!!

Afterwards, we had a brisk walk along the lake back to the bus stop. A hedgehog ambled across in path in front of us and tried to hide as we approached. I waited to see if he would pop his nose back out, but he wasn’t being cooperative.

For the record, Emily, that’s two “wildlife’s” in one day!! (and two more than we got in the the whole of Norway).

We made it to the bus stop with a few minutes to spare. On the return trip I studied the back of my eyelids. Again!!

Another great day!!