Linear view vs. Masonry View

Tag Archive for ‘Writing’

The killer slug

The killer slug

After rain they come crawling

up from the wet grass

crossing the roads and footpaths

where are they all going

is it an initiation rite

cross without getting crushed

see what’s on the other side

a sluggish paradise or

a sticky mess under a shoe

The killer slug (Arion vulgaris), yes that is it’s name! It’s also know as Spanish slug. It’s considered an invasive species and a great annoyance to all gardeners all over Europe. Why it’s called killer slug I don’t know but the best explanation I heard from a child. “They are called killer slugs because you kill them.”

Watch your step, ha de Gött!
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Books, books, books

Books, books, books

A fair for people interested in books. Yes, there is, every year in Göteborg, and this year I was there. Not only because I’m interested in books but my son was there to receive an award from the Royal Swedish Academy for the Swedish teacher of the year 2023. Sorry for the boast but I’m so enormously proud. At 25 he is the youngest ever to receive this award.

The Swedish Academy was founded in 1786 by the king Gustav III. With 18 members elected for life the members are the highest language authority of the Swedish language. This are the same persons that elect the Nobel prize winner in literature.

The five day fair was really crowded and it nice to see that the book is still going strong. In this day and age with social media scrolling it is comforting to know there are so many people working for the printed book.

The only heat that should come from a book is heated exchange of ideas, ha de Gött!

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Giant’s kettle

Giant’s kettle

I found this giant’s kettle at Lindö. It’s approximately one meter in diameter and I estimate it to be around one meter deep. In the folklore these holes was created, and was used for cooking by the giants that in the past roamed the world. Hence the name. The giants tossed large boulders at each other when fighting. You can find these laying randomly in nature. God was angry with them and turned them into stone. Yes, if you look close, you can see them in the hills.

There is of course a more scientific explanation, equally forceful. As the inland ice shelf melted away huge rivers with strong currents was formed. When a smaller rock was trapped and started to spin it grinded down into the solid rock. These stones can sometimes be found at the bottom with a perfectly smooth egg shaped surface.

Don’t throw stone in a glasshouse, ha de Gött!

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Svangen lighthouse

Svangen lighthouse

Since 1889 it has been guiding ships towards the Kosterfjord sea-lane and Resö. Originally the light came from the second floor windows but in 1917 it was replaced with gas driven AGA lighthouse in front of the building. The first floor was the living quarters for the lighthouse keeper with family. Since the the new AGA lighthouse was automatic there was no personnel after 1917. The house was sold to a private owner in 1950. Easy to manage garden, I guess, but probably needs to be painted regularly due to the harsh and salty west winds.

The fully automatic AGA lighthouse was invented by the Swedish inventor Gustaf Dahlén. He was awarded Nobel prize in physics for his work with lighthouse technology. The light was kept burning with the help of carbine gas. To save gas it was started and stopped with the help of a sun-valve also invented by Gustaf Dahlén.

Always steer towards the light, ha de Gött!

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Halmstad Castle

Halmstad Castle

By chance we were able to attend a viewing of the secret garden of Halmstad castle. The castle is still in use as a government building, residence of the Landshövding (governor) of Halland. Apart from the amazing 200 year old blood maple, the garden was not what I’ve expected.

The castle was built by the Danish between 1600 and 1615 as a residence for the governor. The city of Halmstad was at the time part of the Danish kingdom. The castle, the city Halmstad and the administrative area Halland became Swedish in 1645.

In the garden it is possible to see remainders of the 8 meter high wall surrounding the city. Outside the wall there was a moat. During the years the castle has undergone many changes and colours. Believe it or not but it was actually pink before repainted to red in 1998, as is believed to be the original colour.

Be curious and learn more, ha de Gött!

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Driftwood

Driftwood

Driftwood on a stony beach at Trossö-Kalvö. Someone, somewhere cut it down and let it fall into the sea. Currents and winds brought it here to frame this picture. Did it come from just around the corner, the next island or did it float in here with the Golf Stream from distant shores. Only Njord knows.

Njord (Njǫrðr) is the sea god of the Nordic mythology.

Go with the flow and see where it takes you, ha de Gött!

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Golden Evening

Golden Evening

Some evenings are just magical. Stillness and the spring evening sun warms up your frozen winter soul. With that light I’m glad I brought the camera. With the birds song in my ears I just don’t want to go home.

I just wish that I was a better poet to make this justice, please feel free to lend a helping hand.

Ha de Gött!

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Evening flight

Evening flight

Flying off into the sunset. Commuting business woman in front is already asleep and misses the safety brief. Scared first time flyer behind with sweaty forehead and white knuckles. Smiling stewards and stewardesses slamming their aluminium cupboards. The infant in the back row screams from top of his lungs, sensing his mothers unrest. A last check, all seatbelts fasten, chair in upright position and no blinds down.

Out on to the runway and with a muffled command to cabin crew the pilot gives full throttle. We fly off, off into the setting sun and you find yourself wondering why there life jackets under your seat and not parachutes.

Relax, you always come down. Ha de Gött!

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