Red Rouge Röd Rojo красный

Not surprisingly, red is the colour of the moment. 

My little red riding hood decided to go for a stroll and paused when she saw the beautiful leaves hanging off the walls in the Beaujolais region.

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On a different but recent occasion, her excitement was catching when she pointed to the sunset offering a vista of reds this week. 

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To the temporary but enjoyable reds of this season !

The Winter Waiting Game

Autumn, to me, is a transitional season. 

At the end of summer, the signs of Christmas are alarming some people, and others are just waiting for winter to come...because of the fun you can have in the snow and because of the winter sports. 

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy autumn and all that it brings, including halloween. But, two members of my little family are already organising the winter gear and they keep talking about how much they are looking forward to it all.

What about you? Are you also longing to sledge down a steep hill (like these four girls below), go skiing and enjoy the snow? 

Or are you happy for autumn to take its course and let winter arrive when it does?

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Just so that you know, these 4 girls did go down this very steep hill on a bin bag, leaving some loud shrieks! They must have been in pain afterwards. 

This was taken in St Hans, Lund, Sweden. The best sledging place I have ever been to, as the area is massive. After a night of heavy snowfall, it's the place to be...if you like sledging, of course.

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South of Sweden - Vallåsen

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Local ski station in the South of Sweden - Vallåsen

Pointy shadows

I had worked really hard that day. It was autumn. And it was a very pleasant day outside, full of sunshine and warmth. 

I felt I deserved to spend a little half hour doing what I enjoy...taking photos. So I was off, wandering round the streets of the village. Actually, I went to a particular street, as if it was calling me....Maybe something special was going on. I reached the street and it was deserted. 

But in fact, I was not alone. As I looked down, I realised I was surrounded by funny shaped shadows...So I took them with me, or at least in my black box. 

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Here's to a bit of fun and allowing yourself to play around. 

Have a good week. 

Moving too fast

When we grow up, at the beginning, we wish to grow up quickly...We dream of being an adult and copy their every move. 

After a while, we have a better appreciation of time and cannot waste any minute of this precious concept. And sometimes, some of us wish we were still little, only some of us. 

The little ones on the photos below, wish to grow up...fast, it seems. 

...Otherwise ...why would they have chosen their mum's shoes to dance?

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It reminds me of something. When I was a little girl, one day, I told my mum that when I am a tall girl I would wear high heals and buy chewing gum - in that specific order. 

What aspirations did you have when you were a little one? 

The Viking era

You probably know by now that I moved to the south of Sweden, in Skåne, and lived in Lund for 3 years. 

Not knowing a great deal about the Swedish culture and even less about the traditions before our move, I was eager to discover and experience it, the minute we set foot on their land. 

The idea was to have a feel for their way of life and habits. As this would help us integrating our family into their community. 

The first opportunity we had was to go deep into their roots, learn about an important part of the Swedish history. The viking era! 

So, as most tourists, visiting a viking museum became our first insight into the Swedish culture and history.

Fotevikens museum, Viking reserve close to Falsterbo

The Fotevikens museum quickly became the main attraction for our visitors from France and the UK. 

Door locking system

It is a well-kept site that organises festivals and events mainly during the warm weather. However, you can still enjoy a stroll through the open museum in winter times. 

We also learnt an important concept about the Swedish culture that seems to be still integrated today in the way they conceive ideas and exchange with one another.  

I shall try to explain it, without ruining the tell of old Swedish traditions, so if there are any Swedish readers, please feel free to correct me on this matter by leaving a message (tack så mycket). You have to imagine the following...

Inside a Viking's house - Community room

Indeed, the word "Lagom" is an important piece of the puzzle. It means "Not too little and not too much". Apparently it comes from the Viking times. 

When they sat around the fire after a tough day in the cold, they used to enjoy a little drink, and shared ONE horn full of some kind of beverage. It was important that, as they passed the horn round, they would each drink "not too little and not too much" in order for everyone to have some. 

Inside a Viking's house - Community room (the other side)

The idea is that they each have some. It does not have to be equal amount, but some. And this concept is found in today's life such as in business and education.

Community gardens

This museum is just by the sea and during our first visit, we noticed that the sea was frozen. A first for me. It was december, but still. An amazing concept to me. 

Every time we visited Fotevikens Museum, we thoroughly enjoyed it, so if you happen to be around that area and you wish to understand the background of the Swedish people and their culture, don't miss it! 

The heart of Lyon

This is a special episode for Diane who back in 1953 travelled across Africa from the UK to Southern Rhodesia with her family. He story is inspiring and captivating. You can follow her "Life before Charente" here. 

By reading her story, I realise that she crossed many cities and other places more than 50 years ago, but has not had the opportunity to go back to some of them. So this is especially for Diane, who discovered the city of Lyon in January 1953. Some photos that I enjoyed taking when I moved close to the city a year ago. 

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To adventure and the pleasure of revisiting! 

Thank you Diane for sharing your story with us.