At the Station

The new X60 commuter train at the Tungelsta station. Waiting for the train from Västerhaninge to arrive to the platform where the train meets as there's still only one railway track between Västerhaninge and Nynäshamn after more than a a century with the Nynäsbanan railway line. The station house is as old as the railway line and has been there since 1902.

The Hunting Blind

I headed for the forest today. It was cold and frosty but at least there was a blue sky. I was hoping to catch some of the local wildlife. That didn't happen. So I stopped and took a photo of this hunting blind. There are quite a few hunting blinds in this forest. Normally the hunters are looking to shoot roe deer or elk. No hunter around on this occasion, but I did meet one elk hunter earlier in the year.

Hammar in B&W

The Hammar estate in Tungelsta seen in black and white. Took the shot on my photo promenade today. A more colorful winter photo from Hammar can be seen here. And here is a spring version.

Ramshackle of the year?

A couple of years ago the green park in Tungelsta won the national award, Park of the year which made some of the members of the local historical association very happy. But I also know that a few of them would like to see the Musikcentralen building go up in flames. And I know that some of the members that use this building (rock groups and other wanna-be musicians), are planning to rebuild the place and it's about time for that now me thinks. Same building back in March 2008.

Summer vs. Winter

Summer and Winter at Lida. I have shown you this house a couple of times before. My grandfather Oskar Andersson was one of the builders, but he never lived here. Summer photo from May 2007. Winter version from January 2007. The house is on the market for around 12 million SEK.

Part of my new photo obsession, different seasons.

Horsing around

It was a cold day in Tungelsta yesterday. I took a midday promenade. Met one female jogger. One man on a bike and two families out on a brisk promenade. Oh, and this horse on a frosty field. It saw me coming, figured it was time for some sugar or perhaps a carrot. So it was a very disappointed horse that posed for me.

Merry Christmas from Tungelsta

I used this winter photo taken in Tungelsta last year for my Christmas card that I sent to the relatives this year. And here is my Christmas card to all Daily Photo Bloggers around the world.

Ramshackle

For many years this house along Hammarbergsvägen in Tungelsta was hidden behind the trees. It was built back in 1929. The family that lived here for many years was called Karlsson. They had three sons. One of them is the same age as my mother and she told me that the dad in the family was known as Karlsson med arslet. That translates to Karlsson with the arse! Not a very nice nickname. He might have been a builder. Anyway the house and property was sold earlier this year. As I walked by here yesterday I noticed the new owner in the garden. He was there with his wife and young son, and they were burning old trees and what have you. I asked him if I could have a look inside the old ramshackle that no one has lived in for a few years and possibly take some photos. He answered "sure, but not today as local kids have been trying to break in and now we can't open the door". He also told me that they will build a new home next to the old house and tear down this old building as soon as the new house is up. And that I was welcome to come back for a look inside after the holidays.

Tomtenisse

Spotted this Tomtenisse in a window at my old school in Tungelsta. A Tomtenisse is a mythical creature from Scandinavian folklore. They protected the farm at night when everyone was sleeping although my grandmother Alma Jansson used to tell us a story that she saw a Tomtenisse around their house when she was a kid. More about the Tomtenisse at Wikipedia.

The Medieval Church

The old church in Västerhaninge. It dates back 800 years. Lightning has struck the tower twice. The church was rebuilt after the latest fire back in 1831. Some reconstruction was made and the tower is now only thirty meters high compared with fifty five before the fire.

Winter vs. Autumn

Winter vs. Autumn at Hammarbo in Tungelsta. Winter photo from November 2007. Autumn photo from September 2008. Hammarbo is today a psychiatric clinic. It was built as a private recidence many years ago by the Upmark family.

Chainsaw Carving

Back in February I met and interviewed the artist Lennart Jansson at his workshop at Håga. Now it seems he is gone. Not sure what has happened. I stopped at an industrial area in Handen yesterday where you can see some of his art. Years ago he used to work from here, and I wanted to see if I could find out where he had gone, or perhaps talk to someone who knew him. After talking to one of the builders I was told to ask the manager. I found him in his rented office and he told me what he knew from the time Lennart was here. A few years ago Lennart needed a place where he could store some of his wooden sculptures as he had to move his workshop. Luckily the owner of Damaskus Maskinskydd agreed to have the pieces outside his building. Over the years a few of the smaller sculptures have been stolen by art lovers (?), as they were only protected by a fence. On my visit I counted that there was maybe five sculptures left. But sadly I couldn't find out any more recent news.

The Bio Fuel Power Plant

This is a panorama made from six photos.

A brand new view of the thermal power plant in Jordbro. For a couple of weeks workers have been busy cutting down trees where the new biofuel power plant will be built. The new plant will be using wooden pellets made from wood, crops, and waste. It will be finished in 2010.

Summer vs. Winter

A diptych showing Summer and Winter at my favorite tree at Välsta.

The Roundabout Dog

Looks like Storm, the roundabout dog in Västerhaninge is getting ready for Christmas. I guess this particular art phenomena has died down a bit since the peek a couple of years ago.

The Jazz Singer

As I was watching the 2008 Lucia Emma Johansson, perform with her maids at the shopping centre in Västerhaninge on Saturday, I spotted a very pretty Santa in the crowd. She turned out to be a jazz singer. This is Ulrika Goliats Fredriksson. She lives in Tungelsta and works as a salesperson. Her big passion is music. On this day she was singing with a band, The Anders Lindgren's Quartet. They played a few typical Christmas songs before and after the performance from the Lucia. In between gigs I got a chance to talk to her. As we started to chat the band leader, Anders Lindgren closed in on us and wanted to know from what paper this photographer came from! This is a busy season for Ulrika. Earlier in the week she performed for the Prime Minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt at the parliament building Rosenbad in Stockholm. It was a private affair with only the PM's closest advisor's. Next week she will be performing at the Ministry of the Environment. Ulrika also plays in a band called Stay Up and they play cover songs from the sixties and forward. After taking a few photos I stayed around and listened to a few songs and all I can say is that the girl can sing!

As I really enjoyed the 100 Strangers Project, I have decided to continue with that type of portraits. And this is fifth in the series.

The Anders Lindgren Quartet

The Anders Lindgren Quartet performing in Västerhaninge on Saturday. From left to right. Gustav Rosén, saxophone. On drums Bengt Tideström. Vocals by Ulrika Goliats Fredriksson (more of her tomorrow). The hidden bass player is Hans Carldén. On guitar Anders Ohlsson. And on keyboard, the band leader himself, Anders Lindgren. The band played traditional Christmas songs at the shopping centre before and after the performance by the Swedish Lucia Emma Johansson.


Normally a quartet would be four people, but I count six musicians here, but the more the merrier so why not!

Lucia Bride of Sweden

This is Emma Johansson from Örkelljunga in Skåne. She has been crowned the 2008 Lucia Bride of Sweden as we celebrate Saint Lucy's Day. Emma visited the Christmas Market in Västerhaninge on Saturday with her Lucia maids as they sang the traditional songs in front of a capacity crowd at the shopping centre. After the performance they headed off to Skansen in Stockholm for the traditional celebration that takes place there every year.

At the Christmas Market

A more traditional Christmas Market in Tungelsta today, compared to last weekend. Glögg and coffee was served in the cafeteria where a local group (including one of my strangers Rikard Lundin), sang Christmas Carols (possibly a video later). In the old greenhouse I met Mona Hartonen who sold stemware. I bought a couple of snaps glasses that Mona designed. That set me back 130 SEK.

Summer vs. Winter

A diptych showing Summer and Winter at Skogsekeby in Tungelsta.


Original Summer version from June 2005. And the Winter version from March 2008.