A visit to the country in Sweden

Today we went to visit Karina's brother Tommy and his wife Annabrita at a small village called Emtbjork, about 100 kms away.  The nearest town 10 kms away is called Hagfors.

The sparsely wooded pine forest on the way.

And a castle like private house.

This is the brother's house.  It was originally built in 1829 but there have been many changes made to it and additions added, mainly by the siblings' father who was very clever with his hands and also had plenty of imagination.  Karina was actually born in the house, Tommy in hospital.  Tommy bought the house from his parents who moved to Stockholm in 1970 and he and Annabrita have lived there ever since raising their two children.

They made us welcome and showed us the house from top to bottom.  Some of the pieces of furniture came from both set of parents, including Annabrita's family and are regarded as family heirlooms, some perhaps dating back to nineteenth century.  In spite of some heavy furniture, the house is airy and light with windows letting in sunshine.  It is a very warm, lived in house which has seen many comfortable happy years.  Their two children grew up here and live not too far away with their nine grandchildren,

The table on the closed in verandah set for afternoon tea.

The river is just across the road.

Karina and Tommy with Alistair on Tommy's lap.  That dog gets to go everywhere.

A photo of Tommy and Karina with their parents.

A farewell shot of the brother and sister with the sister-in-law.  It was a very very nice visit and we finally met Karina's brother of whom we have heard so often.