May 12, 2026    We got off the ferry on  Donsö island.      The homes reminded me of my hometown beach town of Dillon Beach California.   Swedes incorporate the rocks around their homes.  I've seen interesting trunks and branches, but this one is exceptional. Top of the hill: church and start of the nature trail   Bogbean wildflower in swamps      Followed this sign made with nails to the viewpoint The trail started easily enough   Great smelling pines forest too   Flowers awaited us when we reached the viewpoint         coming down, we guessed at the trail sometimes sloshed through some swampy bog New amazing shape,  lichen I'm guessing on the many rocks we traversed I was hungry as usual so we bushwhacked back to town to eat at  Popsicle pronounced Pop-cycle that a kind woman on the ferry recommended. She lives on another island and travels here for lunch, groceries a...

    May 10, 2026  Our primary objective was visiting friends Christina and Magnus, that was the very best!    Västerås offers more than I imagined. The trail out of Askôviken Naturskolans Hus where Chris works  has such a healthy forest leading to a vast lake with many birds.    trail at Askôviken Naturskolans Hus   forgot the name of the wetland/lake     Northern Lapwing Heard via Merlin  Common Tern, Green-whipped Teal, Great Crested Grebe, Song Thrush, Eurasian Blackcap Magnus walked us across their backyard to a unmanned grocery store, everything controlled by phone including entry.  The first aisle is entirely bins of candy that I didn't know. Magnus bought a couple of the many traditional candies. Since I couldn’t anticipate the tastes and we all had a good laugh at my reactions!  Sour was very sour and sweet very sweet.    candy aisle in neighborhood store wasn't brave enough to try this c...