Visiting Sweden - time for my brother to get hitched!

Time for yet another Sweden visit, this was our third year in a row. I simply couldn't say no when my brother invited us to his and Lisa's wedding. It is a once in a life time (usually at least) event and we just had to be there.

Sweden was gorgeous with stunning late summer weather. While Charlie enjoyed a week in Cornwall with his family, I had some quality time with my whanau (as kiwis call their family). I went sailing with my dad to Sweden's highest island "Mjältön" at 236 m. I have probably climbed this island at least once a year throughout my childhood. It always seemed so incredibly high. It took me a grand total of 20 min to run to the top.

Sailing with my dad means drinking beer. :-)

My mum and I then went to Finland, or shall I say just outside Vaasa, where both my parents originate. My grand mothers are still alive and since I haven't seen them in five years, it was about time. My "mormor" -lit. mother's mother, is still as stubborn as ever before, and still has brilliant sense of humour. She looked very cute in the New Zealand cap.

My "farmor" - you get it -father's mother, is still offering a trillion different kinds of cookies and cakes in accordance with old traditions. Mum and I spent a disproportionate amount of time by kitchen tables with a cake, cookie, pig (a sweet thing) or a sausage in our hand. Time to leave before they have to get out the defibrillator.

Charlie joined us from England. We offered people to join us for the Via Ferrata climbing available in Skuleskogen, but with no takers. I think my brother had a near-needing-to-changing-his-undies-kind-of-experience there a few years ago and he is burnt for life.

It is a cool spot, which is a center piece in the World Heritage recognised High Coast National Park.
Lovely views on our way up.

Charlie is just about to get into the most committing part. The guys above us (total beginners they admitted) were terrified with shaky legs and cramped up arms. They were in the swing of cursing their cousin, who had tricked them into taking this "extreme" route. He was of course far ahead with little thoughts of his mates. We tried to give them some pep talk when we passed them...(not "Harden Up"- I promise).

There is a stage below me where they organise concerts. The wall of granite which I am working my way up, must make up a pretty unique back drop for music events.
The top of the climb...Let's do it again!

We were lucky to arrive just in time for the fermented herring premiere "surstrommingspremiar". The Örnsköldsvik square was full with people wanting to try some of the delicacy. Live music and sing-along songs were coming out of the speakers. Luckily, the weather was great. You are often not allowed to open a can of the fermented herring indoors since it stinks so badly.

You got to assemble your own fermented herring plates with accoutrements such as sour cream, potatoes, red onion, Swedish thin bread, tomatoes, etc.

Charlie didn't look that convinced and he was constantly looking towards the nearby coffee shop.

My parents were there with my godparents, Mati and Gunnevi, soaking up the atmosphere.

Charlie managed to eat some of the fermented herring in the end. Surprisingly, he didn't smell anything! He can now thank his past stupid actions, including snorting tequila as a student, which may have resulted in him loosing his sense of smell.

My brother and Lisa's wedding was a intimate but incredibly beautiful event set by the sea (it's a must in Sweden). Lisa's parents hosted the party at their house outside Ornskoldsvik.
Gunnevi (above) checking out what's on offer. Lisa's parents (below) as pretty relaxed hosts.
Kaksi, the sausage dog.

Lisa's mum, who is a keen musician, just like her daughter, invited along a young but incredibly skilled jazz quartet. The wedding ceremony was led by our old neighbour, Elvy, who is the mayor of Örnsköldsvik. Elvy was also the celebrant at our wedding and it is certainly special to have someone who knows our family so well to also play such an important part of the wedding.

Danne played a couple of stunning pieces for the wedding couple.

My mum was over the moon to see Lisa and Kristofer getting married. Unlike for her daughter's wedding, she was able to relax...
Lisa and Kristofer looking happy.

Dad, Åsa and I watching a slide show of childhood photos of the bride and the groom. They certainly looked pretty special both of them! It gave us all some great laughs. Unfortunately Charlie and I didn't have time to hang out for much longer in Sweden. The most important part was to see my brother getting hitched. Mission completed.