At Los Nordicos last week we had the privilege to listen to an interesting lecture by historian Bengt Kummel, PhD, from Finland. The topic was “The dramatic circumstances around the transfer of Estonian Swedes to Sweden in 1944”. Dr. Kummel started by giving some historic data on the Swedish population of Estonia, a linguistic minority residing in the coastal areas and islands of what today is western and northern Estonia.
Flu Times
by Marianne Lindahl •
The winter cold has arrived to our tropical paradise. In this time of the year I sometimes wish I were nearer the North pole, feeling warm and cosy inside and avoiding to step outside unless absolutely necessary. In our old house on top of the hill in Taramay it is nearly as chilly inside as outside, in spite of some energy-devouring electric appliances. All kinds of influenza viruses are hitting the good people of Almuñécar.
A Difficult New Year
by Marianne Lindahl •
We are looking forward to a new year facing economic difficulties, especially in Europe. Even the Nordic countries, which so far have done quite well in this climate of global economic downturn, are heading towards difficult times.
Golf – A Humbling Game
by Marianne Lindahl •
Why do people play golf, when it’s so hard? One day you occasionally get a glimpse of greatness from hitting a long straight drive or sinking a long putt, only to fall into the deepest humiliation after a couple of air shots or topping the ball several times on the same fairway. Not to mention missing the hole with 1cm after three putts.
Living Happily With Less
by Marianne Lindahl •
Most of Europe is in crisis. In Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal people demonstrate against the draconian cost-cutting measures imposed by the EU on member countries in deep financial trouble.
Autumn Thoughts & Activities
by Marianne Lindahl •
Autumn has definitely reached our Nordic haunts, the leaves are turning red and yellow, the forest is full of mushrooms and the rain is pouring down. The time has come to pack our things and move southward towards dear old Almuñécar.
Culture in the Rain
by Marianne Lindahl •
During the rainy second week of July we paid a visit to Sweden to meet our dear friends and undertake a cultural trip to the beautiful landscape of Dalecarlia, this time with the main purpose of educating ourselves in the field of classical music. We arrived at our hotel in Tällberg in pouring rain, and thus did not see much of the beautiful landscape. It has been said that, “If you are visiting Sweden and the county of Dalecarlia without visiting Tällberg, it’s like attending a wedding without meeting the bride.”
Midsummer – July Nordic Column
by Marianne Lindahl •
Some Nordic summertime thoughts taken from our July edition and written by Marianne Lindahl.
We celebrate Midsummer Eve in our summer cottage in the Finnish archipelago. The vegetable garden has been sown for the summer’s harvest with potato, salad, beans, onions, peas, chives and last but not least, the dill for our ‘gravlax’ the marinated salmon Scandinavian style. Geraniums in their boxes are bright red against the sheer greenery of birches and scrubs. Lilies of the valley and lilac branches decorate the tables of our cabin.
Praise and Criticism
by Marianne Lindahl •
I love Andalucia, and especially Costa Tropical and the whole Granada province. Not only because it is the only region where you get free tapas with your midday or evening copa.
Good News
by Marianne Lindahl •
In this world of political and economic turmoil, it is very rare to hear something positive in the media. But at seven o’clock in the morning on Thursday February 23rd, while having our coffee and croissants, we heard some wonderful news on the television. A girl had been born to Swedish Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel.