Moo!

The farms at Hammarby, in a rural part of Haninge dates back to 1650. Back then it was three farms. Today what is known as Hammarby Gård is a modern farm with cattle, seen here, and Bashkir pony's. The farm, run by the Norlin family is very popular and visitors come her to ride on the ancient breed of horses. If you understand Swedish you read more on their web site.

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Bashkir Pony's

Zooming in on some of the Bashkir pony's at the Hammarby Farm in Haninge. I visited the farm two days ago. Last year I met the owner Rolf at another farm he runs, and he invited me to visit Hammarby to see the Bashkir horses. They are an ancient breed that originates from Bashkortostan.

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Meet The Farmer

This is Rolf Norlin. He operates Hammarby Gård (Farm), together with his wife Tina. They have cattle and Bashkir pony's at this farm, and also grow their own crops. I followed Rolf around the farm, as they were taking a few of the horses out to the pasture where they will stay 24/7. Luckily I did have my boots on, as it was very muddy! Rolf then showed me the cattle and the Baskij horses, and told me about the farm which is very popular. People come to ride on the Basjki horses year round. For 400 SEK you get to ride for 90 minutes after you have familiarised yourself with the horse, afterwards everyone gets coffee and cake which sounds like a great deal. The family also runs the Ormsta farm. I will show you some photos from Hammarby in the coming days.

Meet the Horror Nipples!

I'm on the bike when I see these two guys and decides that they are 100 Strangers Project material. So I stop them and asks if I can take their portrait. Meet Svulf and Lasse. Svulf lives in Rågsved ( home of famous punk band Ebba Grön). But originally he comes from Värmland. Lasse comes from Stockholm and lives at Hammarby Sjöstad. They play in a band. The Horror Nipples. I asked what kind of music it was and they said Psychobilly. Lasse (he is the one with the sunglasses), plays the guitar, and Svulf (kinda cool name), rhythm guitar and backing vocals. With a name like that, surely they must be on their way to fame. So, if you want to be able to say that you knew the Horror Nipples long before they became famous, hop over to their MySpace site and listen to some of their songs. Perhaps psycho mania or frankie. This is my 18th photo for the project, you can see the rest of my photos here.


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It's been raining all day...

Lousy weather today. I don't really feel like going out for a Sunday promenade with
the camera. Instead I will show you a photo I took just the other day when the sun was shining. A peacock butterfly, one of those wonderful signs of spring. Bigger photo.

Meet Hector

On my way to Handen yesterday I met Hectorat Lake Rudan. No points for guessing his hobby. He really enjoys his fishing, and gladly posed for a portrait for the 100 Strangers Project. Hector originally comes from Uruguay. He lived in Montevideo for two years when he was very young. His mothers family still lives there, and he plans to visit them next year. Hector lives with his girlfriend in Sköndal. He works as a painter and decorator and drives an old Volvo 240 that has been converted, and now runs on Biofuel. He sold his expensive BMW and paid 6000 SEK for the ethanol powered car after an idea from his brother. He reckons it will save him some money which can be good as he recently bought a boat, a Scandica 440 that he will use for fishing trips on Lake Mälaren. His best fishing story was when he landed a Havsöring, a trout (that weighed six kilo), on the first try when he was fishing with his dad at Dalarö. It took him 25 minutes to catch the trout, at this point in the story Hector got a bit technical, describing rods and reels, but I have no doubt that it was a true story. This is my 17th photo for the project, you can see the rest of my photos here.

History lesson

On a rainy day (prove me wrong), in the year 1008 (give or take a few years), towards the end of the Viking Age, local Viking, Anund (or Ônundr), decided to have a runestone made as a remembrance after his father Vikinge. He gave the job to Halvdan, who had a reputation as a decent runestone carver. Today people disagree to what the inscription says, but it's something like Anund and ... raised this stone in memory of Vikinge their father, Stori's son. When the job was done, the stone was placed here in central Handen. Since then it has been moved a couple of times. As of a couple of days ago it can be seen at the entrance to the cultural centre at Poseidon's Square in Handen. Later today, local historian Olle Flodby (who claims that this is the original location of the ancient stone), together with a group of politicians will gather around the runestone for the offical unveiling.

Problem with the zig-zag stairs

Looks a bit difficult to climb up (or down), the zig-zag stairs here at Stationsvägen close to the commuter station in Handen. Same place when it was much easier.

Wiger's Roses

There's an open house here at at Wiger's Roses on Saturday and by then the prospective buyers will have two houses to check out. When this project is finished there will be 23 boxes for people to live in. Bigger photo.

What's this then?

Last weekend Berglunds tivoli, a traveling funfair visited Västerhaninge. A big hit with the local kids and a certain flickr photographer. I met the owner Jonny Berglund, and took his portrait for the 100 Strangers project. Today this is all that remains from their visit, guess what this is, and I will upload another photo with the answer.

Meet the architect

I was shooting a panorama photo at Stora Arken in Handen the other day, when a man walks by, turns around and asks if I'm Steffe, that guy with all the photos on the web. That's me I said, and that's how Rikard Lundin became my Stranger #14 for the 100 Strangers project. Rikard is an architect. And for the last thirty years he has been working as a landscape architect with Housing and Urban Development in Haninge. He told me that he was responsible for Stora Arken, (behind him) and a number of big projects around Haninge. including Kryddgården in Ålsta, Ribby Ängar in Västerhaninge and Ros-Anders gård, a retirement home in Tungelsta. At the moment he was working on Vega City, or Vegastaden, one of the biggest project in Haninge for many years. Rikard lives in Tungelsta and is a member of Folk och Trädgård, an association that I'm actually helping at the moment! I'm designing a few postcards for them, using some of my flickr photos. Rikard told me that his wife designed their web site, and he asked if they could possibly use some of my photos on their site, which is fine by me. We had time to discuss a few other thing as well. For instance how the rune stone behind the cultural centre at Poseidon's Square all of a sudden disappeared. Rikard told me (smiling as he said it) It's because the council 'just discovered the original location' and it's exactly at the stairs at the big entrance. Isn't that funny!

Wooden Sculptures

One of my first portraits for the 100 Strangers Project was a photo of an artist and sculptor.Lennart Jansson, who uses a chain saw to make his art. This sculpture group was made by him. You can find it at the Skutan farm in Handen. It tells a story about the people who once lived here. They worked in the washing industry, and looking at these great sculptures you can easily get a feeling about how hard that work must have been all those years ago. Not so long ago, the local council paid another artist Peter Johansson (from Gothenburg), a few hundred thousand SEK for an art piece called Clean House that was said to represent this part of the local history. That made quite a few people angry as Lennart told me. Those people wanted a local artist to be given a chance to create something similar and Lennart was asked to do his version. And this was the result. Sadly he didn't get much money for his work as it was made for a local cultural association (not completely sure which one) , but if you ask me, this is way better than the Johansson work that is located in the middle of a roundabout! Bigger photo.

Stranger #15

So I'm on the bike, and turning a corner at Ribby in Västerhaninge today, I see that there's a funfair in town! The kid in me takes control and I decide to check it out. And that's how I met my Stranger #15 for the 100 Strangers project. This is Jonny Berglund. He runs the Berglund Tivoli. It's a family affair. The wife is involved. As are the three kids, Johan, Jennifer and Jimmy. When they are not in school that is. But as you can see on my three previous flickr photos, they are always with him. For eight months of the year the funfair travels the roads in Sweden and Finland. They have all sorts of Merry-go-rounds, carousels, chocolate wheels, sidestalls, games and other exciting stuff for kids of all ages. To see all that they can offer I recommend you take a look at these photos from their web site. Jonny told me that the funfair has been around for more than 100 years! It was started by Jonny's great grandfather back in 1896. How is that for a lifestyle with a difference. He gladly posed for a portrait (despite being busy setting up all the attractions with the help of his staff), as he informed me that they would be here until Sunday, and that I was welcome to come back again. So if you hear someone scream from a merry-go-round tomorrow it's probably me!

Middle Farm

As I came down the gravel road towards Stadsberga, I stopped and shot some photos that I used for a great panorama. This is three of those photos. This is Mellangården, a horse farm run by the Skärbäck family. Their stable is just to the right and you can see it on the panorama. Bigger photo.

♥ I've got a shexy smile ♥

This is Gæi. An Icelandic horse that I met at the Västergården horse farm the other day. A real poser me thinks. The farm is located in a rural village in österhaninge called Stadsberga. Bigger photo.

Modern Day Rune stone

Do you have your own Runestone? Didn't think so. Lotta and her family at Västergården horse farm in the little rural village of Stadsberga does. The inscription reads Lotta o Joachim o Therese o Richard, alla Carlsund, lät resa sten o bygga hus på egen mark. Kalle rista. Which translates to Lotta, Joachim, Therese and Richard, all Carlsund, had the stone raised and the house built on their own land, Kalle did the inscription. Kalle is Kalle Runristare. There are Icelandic horses at the farm I will show you more photos later in the week.Bigger photo.

A beach panorama

The theme this month is water. I'm a bit of a beach addict. So I decided to take a bike ride down to the coast. It's not very far. Maybe a 20 minute ride. This is the Baltic Sea. The bay is Hårsfjärden. Where they searched after those Russian sub marines during the cold war. These days you are not likely to see even any Swedish subs as the Berga Base has been closed. The beach is called Årsta Havsbad. Back in 1929 a non profit organisation created Årsta Havsbad as a summer resort for workers. Around 600 small cottages (15-25 square metre), were built along with a hotel, convenient store, tennis courts and more. The hotel was overlooking a very popular open-air dance floor. The hotel is gone now but the dance floor is still here and the locals celebrate Midsummer here every year. Today many of these small cottages have been rebuilt and lots of people live here year round. During the summer month the beach is often crowded, but on this visit I counted maybe 10 people that I saw from the wooden pier as I took this panorama. It was a few locals and a group of anglers. HERE is a link to the original size. If you have a few minutes try the slideshow. And here are the rest of the blogs participating in the theme day:

theme day id=13

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix - Bostonscapes, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Gordio, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Pink House

A pink house at Skolvägen in Tungelsta. There was a stable here before blocking the view from the road. Now the area is changing as some 80 houses will be built in this part of Tungelsta. Took the photo a couple of days ago, the snow is gone now. Bigger photo.

Micke

This is Micke. I met him in Västerhaninge today. I asked if I could take his portrait for the 100 Stranger project and he happily agreed. Mikael lives in Sorunda and works at Coca-Cola in Jordbro, and was on his way to work. His hobbies are cars and motorcycles. Although it's probably much more than a hobby. He owns a Harley Davidson and an old Volvo PV, both ongoing restoration projects. On weekends he often goes for long drives up to Dalarna (200 kilometres one way), just for a cup of coffee! Almost every year he flies over to Los Angeles. After one night at a hotel he takes off in his rental car and drives away into the desert. On one trip he drove through eleven states. On another US visit, he was in Texas, and was pulled over for speeding by a Texas Highway Patrol outside Amarillo. After the cop learned that he was from Sweden he got away with a warning. Hear this, fun facts about Mikael: he doesn't own a cell phone. Or a computer, and he doesn't even have a stereo in his car, an old Amazon that he bought from an old lady for 700 SEK!

Hagstugan

I have shown you this place a couple of times before but not from this angle so here it is again. I walked past the old Hagstugan the other day, and as always I lifted the camera and took a photo. The cottage is 300 years old and today used as a summer house. My last photo is from November. Back in the old days the cottage was known as a Rättarbostad and belonged to the Skogs Ekeby estate.

Still Winter

A house on a hill at Ålsta in Tungelsta. When my mother was young, in the 1940ths, there was a bakery here from where she often bought bread. Back then you would have seen the Ahlfont family greenhouses from the hill. Much have changed since then. Bakery and greenhouses are gone. Hedberg and Ahlfont no longer live here. I don't know the people that live here today, but I think they are members of Folk och Trädgård, so my mother has probably meet them on their meeting at the cafe in the park. A few years ago I took a winter panorama here and at that time the house was painted yellow.

Olympic Gold Medalist...

...A W Persson once lived in this house at the corner of Gamla Stockholmsvägen and Kvarnvägen in Tungelsta. When my mother was a young school girl in the 1940ths, her friend Eva lived here. Eva's dad was a famous cyclist and as my mother remembers it they had a big cabinet filled with sports plaques from his career.His greatest achievement is a gold medal from the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games!

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Skogs Ekeby Rune stone

For a thousand years people have travelled the old Skogs Ekeby road in Tungelsta. And all that time this rune stone has stood beside the road. The inscription reads: Vigils and Gerhjälm had this stone made after their brother Gudhjälm -björn cut the stone.

A Postcard Beauty

I have been asked to make a few postcards for a local gardener association to mark their centennial celebration. The postcards will show Tungelsta today. With greenhouses, horse farms, old and perhaps even new buildings, artwork and more. But I don't think I will use this photo of the MusikCentralen building in the park, that I took this morning. Local bands practice here, and when they do I can often hear them, as I live close to the park. They get their funding from the local council (Haninge Kommun), and should perhaps ask for some money to clean the place up as the rest of the park, including the greenhouse and a building used as a cafe and also for concerts and meetings look a lot better. Bigger photo.

Winter Panorama

I took a morning walk along a few new roads in the neighbourhood. As Tungelsta is growing a few forested areas have been cleared and houses are being built around Skolvägen, close to Aspnäs and the old school. These houses are older but the yellow one where Lars Gustafsson lives has been renovated and repainted a few years ago. To the left you can see some of the greenhouses at Rosenhill. The panorama looks better at the original size. I have collected photos from this area in a flickr set I call Skogsekeby.

Toy 4 A Big Boy

I guess most boys played with a toy digger or toy excavator in the sandbox when they were young, I know I did. So after seeing this digger at Vallåkra in Tungelsta it's not so strange that I wanted to have a go (but I didn't). I wonder if the owner isn't really just a big kid, I'm sure he sneaks out at night when no one sees him and plays with this digger.

Say hello to Adam

I was crouching by the road side taking photos of a sculpture when this family came walking up the road. I asked them if I could take a photo for the 100 strangers project and they happily agreed. This is Adam and his parents, Stefan and Linda. They live in Stockholm. Linda was born and raised in Österhaninge and they were staying at her mother's place for Easter. If you look closely Adam has a brand new toy car that he wanted everyone to see. Linda told me that she was baptised in the old Österhaninge church (the tower is hidden behind one of the trees behind them), and that she didnt believe the old story about the unhappy builder. If you want to know more about that have a look at some of these photos. She asked if I knew about the mystery rock nearby, which I obviously do. Then we said our goodbyes as the young family was on their way to a grocery store, picking up items to bake a sponge cake. Probably to Adam's liking! This is my tenth photo for the 100 Strangers project that has to be one of the best flickr ideas ever.

Outdoor Art

We have had some snow over the last couple of days. Yesterday I was caught in a hale storm and today in a snow storm! When the snowing stopped I was able to take a photo of a cool sculpture. Every year there is an Art Promenade in Österhaninge. Artists from the Kyrkskolan gallery pick a theme, and it always makes for an interesting promenade, either in the gallery garden or along the roads in the neighbourhood. This piece from an earlier art promenade can still be seen along Kalvsviks Road. Bigger photo.

Tungelsta Commuter Station

The commuter station in Tungelsta is growing. The new platform will be long enough for two full trains to meet when it's finished in August. Then, next year a second track will be built between Västerhaninge and Tungelsta. That's a 5 kilometre stretch. The yellow house in the background is today a private residence, but when the railroad was new, one hundred years ago, it was a hotel. Bigger photo.

If we zoom out a bit you see some of the surroundings. The four storey buildings to the left are known as Ankaret, a housing cooperative along Allévägen.

Percy & Mårten

Meet Percy and Mårten. They were just finishing their work in the park in Tungelsta this afternoon when I caught up with them to ask if I could take a photo. They happily agreed. Keeping the park clean can be hard work they told me. There's a playground where some of the older kids spend their weekend evenings shouting and drinking as teenagers do, and for whatever reason they smash the bottles against the playground features. Mårten has been working in the parks for the last couple of years. Percy was only on his second week on the job. There are two sculptures in the park and they told me that the kids also enjoy removing the bricks from the one called The Tower. This is my ninth photo for the 100 Strangers project that has to be one of the best flickr ideas ever.

Canadian Geese

Two Canadian Geese at Lower Lake Rudan in Handen. Last time I saw them there was some ninety birds on a field nearby. That was back in October when they were heading south for the winter. The Canadian Goose was first imported to Sweden back in 1930 and can these days be seen all around the country.

Three Happy Girls

The weather improved a bit today compared with the last week or so I took a Sunday bike ride and met quite a few people out and about. Here are three happy girls that I met at Gullringskärret. Out on a Sunday ride with the horse. Probably on their way back to the stable at Kalvsvik in Österhaninge.

Mr. Walkman

It's Street Art Saturday at Photos From Haninge today. This is Mr. Walkman. He is tired and wants to go home. We call him Herr Gårman, which is a pun as it can be a read as You Walk Here. The artist who once made the sign was Kåge Gustafson. I found this slightly altered street sign in Västerhaninge today.

At The Amphitheatre

This is the amphitheatre at the Olof Palme Park in Handen. Also known as the Eskils Park. In the park you will find a fountain with artwork made by PYE Engström. Surrounding the park is a big grassy area where weather permitting you will see a lot of people picnicking, resting, walking their dogs, jogging or even watching the local cheer leading group practice. During the summer months there's sometimes a theatre play or a concert at the the amphitheatre. But on this visit the only spectator sitting there in the sunshine was yours truly. Oh, and thanks to Nanok at Metro for the mention of this blog in the paper today, much appreciated!

Decaying Barn

This is an old decaying barn at Djurgårdsgrind. The home of famous writer Ivar-LO Johansson, who moved here with his parent when he was ten years old. He was a friend of my grandfather and wrote a few good novels. Sadly the elderly owners of Djurgårdsgrind havent been able to look after the buildings for many years. When they do visit, they stay in the house that Ivar-Lo's parents built after arriving to Tungelsta back in 1910. Hopefully the municipality will one day buy the property and restore it to it's former glory, as it is a piece of local history.

Smoking Pavilion

The smoking pavilion in front of the hospital in Huddinge. I noticed a few sick people nearby. One of them, a woman was hooked up with two infusion bags, but still managed to drag herself out from the hospital towards the pavilion to try to and kill herself with yet another cigarette. Of course the promenade did perhaps do her some good...

Meet Stacta

This is Stacta, (Latin for Myrrh oil), as her friends call her. I met her yesterday in Västerhaninge and asked if I could take her photo. After a little persuasion from my side (I gave her a Moo Mini Card), she agreed. She works for the Swedish Postal Service at the big post terminal at Årsta in southern Stockholm. When I met her, just outside the Olympiasalongen at Åbyplan she was on a promenade with her brothers dog Kira. I had forgotten my notebook so Stacta had to wait for a while (in the rain), as I got some writing paper from the barber shop. This is my eight photo for the 100 Strangers project that has to be one of the best flickr ideas ever.

Stadsberga

This is Stadsberga, a small rural village in Österhaninge. Surrounded by history. There are ancient grave fields and rune stones here and there. It's close to Årsta Castle, Årsta Säteri, Alvsta, Ormsta, and many other interesting places that I have documented over the years. Bigger photo.

A Fibonacci Spiral

I'm fascinated by Fibonacci Spirals. They are everywhere in nature. Here in a Tussilago fanfara. Another sign of spring 2008!

Elin

Say hello to Elin who I met at Lake Rudan today. Elin comes from Tyresö and for the time being lives in Handen. She works as a beauty therapist. Or perhaps the title should be skin therapist. She was at the lakes with her two friends, Stefan and Daniel (who turned down the chance of flickr fame). They were on a picnic, sitting at a bench and table down by the water, grilling hot dogs, after learning their dogs to play fetch. This is my sixth photo for the 100 Strangers project that has to be one of the best flickr ideas ever. Bigger photo.

Geese Crossing

Neat looking sign close to the big pond at Årsta Säteri. Lots of geese that you may have to look out for. Don't think I have ever seen a pheasant here but maybe the artist have.

Alvstatorp

Situated in a beautiful landscape, this is Alvstatorp. Surrounded by open fields and forested hill sides, Alvsta has been populated since the Bronze Age. Six hundred years ago it was called Aluastrom and later Alfsta. There are grave fields (ättehögar) nearby where it is believed the original village once stood. In the forest between Alvsta and Ormsta you will find a rune stone. The gravel road you can see here goes from Alvsta to Årsta Säteri and it dates back many centuries. Bigger photo.

The Dahlgren Farm

Two hundred years ago the Dahlgren farm was moved from it's original location on the hill to this flat field. Behind the main building you will find the cottage where the agricultural laborers lived. More photos and info in the Tyresta Set.

Photojournalism

There was an accident in Tungelsta today. A truck overturned in an uphill climb at Manhem Hill on Södertäljevägen. Rescue services arrived to the scene finding the lorry driver stuck under the truck. Using air bags they managed to lift up the truck and remove the driver. They then lifted him onto a stretcher and carried him across the road to a field where a waiting helicopter took off for the Karolinska hospital in Stockholm. I live only a kilometre down the road and took my bike over to the scene of the accident. I mailed a few photos to the evening papers and Expressen bought and published one of my photos. The road was closed off for three hours. No news yet about the condition of the injured driver.

Meeting With A Sculptor

On my way home I suddenly heard the sound of a chain saw. I stopped and saw (no pun intended), a man under a tented roof working on a wooden sculpture. I walked over for a chat. Meet Lennart Jansson. An artist and sculptor since 40 years. He has his work shop in Håga were I met him. Currently working on a big sculpture for a spa in Saltsjöbaden. You can see the bottom part here. (more photos later). It's a Carolean soldier that Lennart will be paid around 30 000 SEK for. Since 1985 he has been working with the chain saw. Before that he carved with knives. For many years he toured the country in his van, visiting markets where he sold his art. He makes everything from bird houses (starting at around 1000 SEK), to very comfy chairs (made from Norway Spruce), and cool bird statues and figurines that will set you back a few thousand SEK. When I told him about the 100 strangers project, he had me helping him carrying out some art pieces from a shed, so that I could get some more photos of his art. I will make a collage later. He gave me his business card and I will talk to some people that might be interested in selling his art. This is my fourth photo for the 100 Strangers project that has to be one of the best flickr ideas ever. The project also have a web site.

Manhem is no more

This is what remains of Manhem at Manhemsbacken (Manhem Hill), along Södertäljevägen. I took a photo here last year. Yesterday on my way to Djurgårdsgrind (photos later), I was shocked to see that Mannhem had been destroyed in a fire. The house was built back in 1937 by Otto Arrhenius. He was a gardener and at the time had the longest greenhouses in Tungelsta, they measured 60 meters. Arrhenius had two daughters. One of them Karen, went to school with my mother, who still has a book given to her as a gift from Karen. It's in Danish as Mrs Arrhenius came from Denmark. Later the house was rented by a guy called Folke Hellqvist. I googled the address and the current owner is a woman called Ann Elisabeth Holmberg who I don't know. My mother told me that it was a peculiar house, with doors and rooms where you didnt expect them to be. And now it's history. Bigger photo.

Graffiti Collage

I have a flickr set with graffiti and street art photos. From those photos I choose to make a collage with the help of bighugelabs mosaic maker. I like some graffiti, like the Homer Simpson, it's from a pedestrian tunnel in Handen, but dislike the one called Modern Vikings, and I don't think I have to tell you why. Here are links to the four photos:

Homer Simpson.

Graffiti Artist.

Modern Vikings.

Yo!

Normally I would have links to all 144 participants in the theme day, but as I and a few other bloggers were stopped because of some new silly rule, you will have to look elsewhere for that.