Imagine a place far out in the Swedish forest. It’s half a mile to the nearest neighbour whilst other houses are scattered miles apart. The road is a dirt track with deep ditches on either side. Just there, to the right is the property, two houses set upon a land twice the size of a football pitch. This is my haven for the next two weeks over Easter.
Pure tranquility – as pure as the air from the hundred, nay, thousands of trees around. Pure tranquility – as pure as the water which pumps from 80 m below the ground. No television, telephone or wifi. Peace and quiet. Don’t worry though, there is electricity and all the mod cons, so we’re living in warmth and comfort.
It takes a while to tune into the silence, to hear the individual birds, to become aware of the different tones of the breeze. The tempo of our days slow until time itself seems to slacken and the days stretch appealingly in front of us. No rushing. No staring at screens.
In lieu of television an afternoon is happily spent sitting inside with a cup of tea watching the thunderstorm wreak havoc upon the land as puddles are turned into mini-lakes and the fir trees enter into a ferocious frenzied dance. We take time to listen to the hail crashing outside. The force of nature overwhelming and once again I am reminded about my small place on this planet.
In the morning I wander the land, clutching my orange juice in frigid fingers, negotiating the uneven ground in my clumsy wellies, my dressing gown flapping round my legs. I stop and raise my face to the dappled morning sunlight falling through the birch trees, whilst in the distance I spy the mist hovering above a field, drifting, floating wistfully away as the sun’s rays strike them.
In the shade I study the intricate cobwebs which lay frozen stiff, their delicate threads an intriguing puzzle of designs. Glistening in the morning frost they are small sample last night’s wondrous creations. Nature’s own art gallery, free to browse. I just have to make sure I am up early enough!
Silence. Quiet. Did I mention that? No cars. No machinery. Just the peace.
This is where I will be this Easter, relaxing, being with my family and I look forward to coming home refreshed and with renewed energy.
Although I might not be able to post until my return I do have access to my neighbours’ iPad and hope to pop across now and then and see what you’ve all been up to.
I look forward to sharing more with you upon my return after the Easter holiday.
Have a very happy Easter break everyone.
“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Annika Perry 
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I am currently making a serious effort to ‘tune into the silence’ during this Lent season. This is a very inspiring essay on sticking to it. Thank you.
Johanna, in this place it is much easier to ‘tune into the silence’ than at busy life back in the UK. There comes a moment when suddenly everything stops, most importantly my spinning mind and than I truly hear the silence, feel that connectedness with nature and the world. A magical spiritual moment. All being well I should be back there in a couple of days and then again at Easter. With warmest wishes to you.
‘that moment when suddenly everything stops’ really says it well.
Wow. I think this is your best yet. It certainly seems a long way from cold and windy Blighty, and a very idyllic place where you are off to. I really wish I was there with you. I can feel the peace and tranquillity already. Still some would say that you can be peaceful and tranquil wherever you are – but the trick is being able to do it. I suppose the mind is the key (except when you are trying to open a door of course). Can’t beat a tangible metal object for that!
Keep up the good work. Can’t wait for your next blog – hopefully we’ll learn more about Sweden!
Mike
Warm wishes from Sweden and it is indeed so peaceful and tranquil. Heavenly. My mind is truly relaxed and thoroughly enjoying hours of uninterrupted reading. Look out for my new blog post – not long now. Glad you like them.
Glad Påsk Annika to you all. Hope you will enjoy your stay at your wonderful “Stuga” and surroundings. Sorry we could not meet. Looking forward to your tales when you are back home.. Always so interesting and entertaining. Kram
Glad Paask till er. Vi hard det saa fint haer ute paa landet. Hope to catch up with you next time. Wishing you a lovely break on Malta. Of course, posts will resume soon next week and so happy you are enjoying them.
Thank you for this wonderfully uplifting Easter greeting. Makes me smile
with joy. What an Oasis you found to re-charge and to connect with
the all important nature.
The drama of the storm and the ferocious frenzied dance of the fir trees
are thrilling. Reminds me of watching the sea from the island and the
wild dance of the ocean waves.
Go and wander the land on the sunny mornings and drink in the purity.
Thank you for your warm and descriptive comment. I truly do feel the fullness of nature there – very lucky indeed.
Sounds absolutely idyllic. Enjoy the break, and come back refreshed to delight us anew; perhaps with tales of what happened in your Eden.
It is idyllic, even when the weather is bad, which it isn’t most of the time. Yes, hoping to collect some tales for post later in April.