How to get to know friends in Sweden.
Our first years in Sweden ,we spent our holidays at Gravelongen,a lovely lake near Sjuntorp(Trollhättan).The house we always lived in had been sold,so we have to find a new one .We were very sad,we knew everybody there ,it was easy to fish,to meet friends,loan a boat and drive waterski.
Friends found a house,50km away,near Vänern.Far away......
The house was in Gällenäs,first we thought at the end of the world.We loved the house,on the field outside we saw foxes ,a deer with kids and once even an "älg".
When we look up over the meadow we saw a farmhouse ,with different other farmbuildings and another house a little seperate.Infront of this one stood some ponies.My daughter was 4 years old always when we were outside she wanted to say "hej"to them.One day there were 2 little girls ,they took Denise to the ponies and talked more as I understood at this time.Next time there were 4 girls,in the middle were twins.After a while the oldest girl(Helena)said:"Mama and Papa invites you for coffee on Saturday...."What should we do?We naver met Mama och Papa!
Next Saturday we went for a walk,plocked some flowers and said "hej"to the ponies,to Eva-Britt,The twins Anna och Anette and the oldest Helena and to the parents.We sat in the garden between beautiful flowers and all kinds of berries.They offered us "sju sorter kakor",jordgubbar med grädde,kaffe,och "fläderbeersaft".
And they offered us a friendship,I never had before.We did a lot of beautiful things together and a lot will follow.(We also help them "med potatis".Each of the girls visited us in Germany.The parents couldn`t because of the farm.Anette was often here because she had been to Zürich as an au pair.She is living in the Netherlands,with her boyfriend now.
Now,I can´t believe, there are three little grandchildren.
They showed us such pretty places:Lyseskil med havetshus;Hornborgasjön;Mooseranch inDalsEd,Dalslandskanal till Haverud.......
We swim together,rode,driving canoe.....
Not to forget the food,the "smörgasboard"the cakes,cookies and the desserts(blabärpie......)
It`s almost 18 years,we´re friends,but it`s still an event,when we get letters(with photos)or when we phone together.Next year we are invited for the 3. marriage,I´m waiting for.