Stockholm - Sodermalm, Fotografiska and Slussen

On my first day in Stockholm, I walked across to Sodermalm, which has the highest point in the city giving great views of Norrmalm where I was staying. I walked along the waterfront to Fotografiska where they are showing an Exhibition called Wonderland by Kirsty Mitchell - very striking portraits. 

 

 I then walked back via the regeneration area around Slussen, the lock that separates the sea from the fresh water of Lake Mälaren.

 

  The construction of the New Slussen is one of the largest urban transformation projects in Sweden. Working in collaboration with the City of Stockholm, the SEK 12 Billion project seeks to create a dynamic urban quarter, transforming the city centre. The Foster + Partners' design creates pedestrian connections between the two districts that have long been separated by the maze of roads and concrete passages. It will also transform the existing infrastructure to minimise the threat of flooding by expanding the lock capacity five-fold and providing a 21st century transport interchange. Once complete, the new public terraces will give visitors spectacular views over Stockholm - see the designs below.

Stockholm Birds and Animals

On my second day in Stockholm, I walked across Djurgården island to Skansen Open Air museum which has a small wildlife park. I spent much of the time photographing the wild birds and squirrels and some of the captive animals including the very entertaining Wolverines and Harbour and Grey Seals. (We were lucky to see but not photograph a wild Wolverine in Laponia).

 

More About the Husky Trip and Jokkmokkguiderna

The visit to Jokkmokkguiderna was one of the highlights of our trip. Matti and Stina run the kennel with approx 45 Siberian Huskies, which they breed and generally keep for their entire life. They become their partners and fellow workers in their daily life. Sometimes they buy dogs for breeding from other kennels to keep the Siberian Husky blood lines healthy. They need to be able to
love the life, be friendly, be able to run at a good speed and manage the challenges that life in the wilderness demands. To work in front of the sled is what they love most.
It is really important that members of the pack can socialize with each other without any tensions. The humans and the adult dogs work together so that the young dogs become a part of the pack. Matti and Stina are the leaders of the pack and stand higher above all the dogs, which are more or less at the same level in the hierachy. They are not allowed to be aggressive or start fights.  The result is a calm and harmonious dog pack that never has to be afraid of being attacked. They know that we as leaders handle the conflicts in the group.

Camping in a Lavvu in Laponia

Our last day and night were spent in the open at Sápmi Nature Camp in the Laponia World Heritage Area, outside Gällivare and Jokkmokk. The temperature was around minus 20 degrees so not quite as cold as previous days. The Lavvu tents have stoves and with sleeping bags and duvets we were warm. When we arrived at 1pm, the sunlight was golden through the pine trees and, being an almost full moon night, was bright enough to walk and photograph with no problems throughout the evening. The Northern lights were not very active but enough to give atmosphere for the compositions.

Sápmi Nature Camp is operated by Lennart Pittja who grew up in a reindeer herding family in Unna This is grazing land that has been used by Unna Tjerusj for thousands of years. He told us all about the history of the Sami people including recent politics and all about reindeer - their winter life and migration to the mountains.

My Birthday in Swedish Lapland

I spent my birthday with a temperature of -34 degrees in the Arctic on a Husky sled trip with 'breakfast' in the forest, followed by watching birds come to a feeding station and ending with meeting (and eating!) reindeer in the company of a charming Sami. Mad perhaps but certainly unforgettable. I will be doing fuller posts on the activities when back in the UK. There will be a gap before this as today we start the final day- spending a night in a lavvu-style tent further up into the Arctic forests and there will be no electricity and therefore no internet etc.