An entry in The TFS Travel Journal.
Not too much noise from the kids, so we arose around 9. After declining the invitation for a morning swim, we were taken on a tour of the general Hoganas area by Olof. He drove us first to the World Headquarters of Hoganas Keramik/Boda Nova, the internationsl glass, ceramic, and flatware conglomerate, of which he is the President. We saw the factory, his office, and the crowded seconds shop, then we begged him to open several in the U.S. He then drove us to the Kulla Peninsula, and the Kullaberg nature reserve, which also contained a beautiful golf course! The small, jagged peninsula juts into the Oresund, and we walked up to the lighthouse at the top (the most powerful in Sweden) for a spectacular viewpoint several hundred meters up. There is also great rock climbing there, so we felt right at home. We then cruised the coastline — many small towns, most old fishing villages, (though now cozy and more or less modern looking) all with their own little harbors containing a nice variety of small boats. Molle was particularly scenic, built up along a rather steep slope and containing a few little resort hotels, some obviously recently redone, but still looking quite Swedish and fishing-village like.
We returned home for a home cooked lunch of a large, flat fish that I can’t remember the name of, and potatoes drenched in olive oil and sprinkled w/rosemary, served out in a warm sun on their patio. The children (including Christopher’s 7 year old friend Pascal) dined with us until one of them saw a bug on his chair, so they then had to eat inside.
We prudently waited for our lunch to digest before going out on their powerboat. We zipped across the Sound to Denmark in about 15 bouncy minutes and went into a harbor, but it was their annual festival, so we couldn’t get a parking place. Interesting to see, though — some amusement park rides, some kind of festivities going on with a crowd in bleachers laughing and cheering on cue, and many people partying on their boats. Universal fun, but not really the family outing we were looking for. We then dropped anchor offshore (obviously) and bobbed and yawed until Olof went for another swim and the rest of us endeavored to hold down our lunches. We returned home, and Milton attacked last night’s desert, as he had been fantasizing about for hours.
Then the highlight: Milton’s first sea kayak adventure. Unfortunately, there’s really no way to practice one’s balance, just to get in and work really hard at relaxing. After a practice run up and back within the harbor (not water you want to fall into, believe me) he ventured into the small bay off the Sound and paddled around for about 40 minutes. It was a blast!! May even try it in the waters off Stockholm, and definitely for some warm-water trip in the future. Just a neat feeling of gliding with moderate control in beautiful scenery and some good excercise thrown in.
We all then walked to a garden party/bar-b-que thrown by Anna and Olof’s friends Peter and Charlotte. We had a great time, with much toasting, drinking, etc. Dips and chips were followed by a greek style salad, lamb chops were grilled (a bit too much, but. . .) and a desert of pound cake with raspberry jam and whipped cream doused with one’s choice of grappa, armagnac or calvados really topped it off!
Can’t say enough about how nice and hospitable everyone was. They all spoke fluent english and most had studied or worked in the U.S. at some time. Quite a sophisticated, well traveled group for a cozy, homey community of a few thousand. Incredible, though, how they all have at least 2, and up to 6, children! It started to rain, so we moved it all into their garage, for more music and raucous conversation. When we could stay awake no longer, we walked home through the downpour.