Smöjen

Every day I get a little more impressed with Gotland.

I was completely blown away by this abandoned & water filled limestone quarry - not to mention the graffiti covered building we couldn't resist to explore!
(what a great dive site this must be!)

Isn't it wonderful how an old industrial site like this can be reclaimed and repurposed as the most amazing day-trip destination?

No Rush @ Krusmyntagården

My 25th Birthday spent with fantastic people, friends from Belgium over for a visit, no work, time for sightseeing and loads of picnics, perfect weather ... I couldn't ask for more.

Yet, I have a real hard time to slow down and stop stressing about stuff, which is why this little sign at Krusmyntagården deserved a picture.

"Don't rush - sitt down my friend, you won't get back forgotten rest" 

(liberal translation, I promise you it sounds so much better in Swedish)

A nice reminder. Stress is so unnecessary. I need to take the time to stop and smell the roses, not just take pictures of them :)

Suderbyn Ekoby

How hard is is to get a building permit for a passive house/eco-house on the island of Gotland, find people who are interested in moving in, and actually build the whole thing?

I'm about to find out ... and will be found at Suderbyn Ecovillage a little more regularly from now on!

Doesn't it look idyllic?

Sunday Trip

Special occasions call for special destinations ... 

A fine lunch at a fancy place, a trip over to the island Fårö for some sightseeing, and long overdue conversations.

Fairytales do come true ...

... but we all make our own, and not everybody's fairytale has to include a charming prince in shining armour ...

Although that wouldn't hurt ;)

Either way, I know one lucky girl who found hers ... and they are now halfway across the globe on their honeymoon which is probably just as magical as the wedding was!

Sweetness

This is why I'm in a good place right now ... Sweetness everywhere I look :)
I'm so blessed to be living in the one spot in Europe (so it seems) where it actually is summer!
Come on over my friends, Gotland is the place to be!

Green Day

The Green Party started off "Almedalen Week" - the annual politician week on Gotland with loads of activities & seminars and great opportunities to socialize - and although politics has never been my strongest suit I decided it's about time I changed that and attended their speech.
Sweden's greenhouse gas emmisions are still on the rise, and we do too little to counter climate change. (no surprises there ...)
We have no time to wait and see, and must start acting now, starting at home, with repairing stuff instead of throwing them out (with lowered taxes on repair services).

Wise words and definitely a good idea, but not ambitious enough for my taste ...

And what about banning those helium balloons during events like this? Even the green ones!

But either way, Jack Johnson can add yet another R to his song:
Reduce, Reuse, Recyle ... But don't forget to Refuse to buy stuff you don't need... and Repair things that broke :)