Mid summer

Mid summer in Sweden is big, so much so that when I was planning to visit Filip, my wonderful 2013 Rotary exchange student in his home country for the very first time, I knew I must be with him and his family on June 20/21, and so I was. 

It was a wonderfully sunny and long day.  We decorated this mid-summer pole, made head garlands, shared traditional food with neighbours over lunch, played games, sang songs, danced round the pole, drank wine and other assorted beverages of the alcoholic variety (of course) and generally had a marvellously celebratory day. 

Pictured here are the birch festooned pole (the beautiful meadow flowers were added after I took this photo), Filip with his dad Mats, fiancée Frida and me, and a small selection of the food we took to the shared lunch. 

Also note the special warning sign which was placed on the road outside the gate.  Translated it reads - BEWARE - OLDER PEOPLE HAVING FUN.  I can't imagine who the older people were, but I hope they had as much fun as we did !! 

It was a privilege for me to be part of the day.