ÖSTANÅ FOR A SPECIAL TREAT!

ÖSTANÅ FOR A SPECIAL TREAT!

Östanå

Denningarum Farm

Designhotel Pappersbruket 

Welcome to Denningarums Farm in Östanå, Scania.

Östanå

We have been living in Östra Göinge for more than a year and only now, prompted by an advertisement, decided to pay a visit to Östanå that is off the main road 19. A hidden gem it is for a holiday seeker that look for a touch of wilderness, lush green scenes and a touch of adventure also for the younger family members.

Östanå in Östra Göinge municipality.

The village of Östanå was built around a paper mill that was operational from the 18th century until 1981. River Helge, the largest river in Scania measured by the volume of flowing water, passes the village and stretches out towards the Denningarum Farm on the outskirts of the village. To get to the village you can follow the signs from the main road, pass the village and after a few kilometers turn right. When you cross river Helge you can admire the wilderness scenery next to the farm.

Close but yet remote with wilderness scenes.

Denningarum Farm

A very welcoming environment for the whole family.

Denningarum Farm is operated by Karin and Ulf Ivarsson and their team. They offer a multitude of activities including canoeing, adventure packages, a large playing ground for the children, self-picking of flowers, fruit and berries, water excursions and mingling with animals. The Farm shop offer local delicacies and a home cooked lunch is served daily during the season at a fixed time.

Fields, garden, playground, farm shop, catering.....

Fresh flowers hanging up-side down to dry....for long-term use. Lovely!

The beautiful nature by River Helge tempt a visitor for water activities. Why not rent a boat for a cruise on the river with lunch or dinner. You may alternatively opt for playful competitions, fishing or sauna bathing. The farm also offer a simple hut accommodating up to 10-12 persons. Special daytime events like birthdays, conferences, family reunions or e.g. school excursions including buffé can be organized for up to 80 persons. The owners are only too happy to fulfill customers special wishes.

Check their website: www.denningarumsgard.nu

Canoeing, "yachting", adventure, animals ...anything the family can desire.

Beautiful summer sceneries.

Ready to go! Are you?

Lamas, emus, guineapigs, rabbits, chicken and much for children to enjoy.

Designhotel Pappersbruket

This former paper mill by river Helge has now been transformed into a stylish designhotel with a "touch of secrecy" as the the owners Peter Severin (artist) and Jessica Kriesz (designer) proclaim. They offer a unique, historical and inspirational atmosphere for relaxed accommodation, conferencing, courses and other events. They are all ecological in their dining as well as their special AromaBad offering including massage. They organize FESTIVE events with own design furniture, chandeliers, old porcelain and full of feeling. 

DO CHECK THEIR WEBSITE: www.pappersbruket.se  and get prepared for a very special treat!

Designhotel Pappersbruket collaborate with Wanås Art (sculpture park and much more) nearby and they are a fantastic relaxed and welcoming alternative to what might have been your first choice. 

AMAZING is the word!

Designhotel Pappersbruket - a fabulous concept!

Dear me! What a great day out to the neighboring Östanå village with both the farm and the design hotel to experience. Both cary excellent concepts in their own distinct ways. WE CAN ONLY RECOMMEND BOTH SERVICES TO ANYONE and express our sincere appreciation for the welcoming atmosphere in both places.

And by the way, 1st May each year Östanå organize a big carnival event!

Have a great week everyone!

:-)

Summer on Ivö island

Summer on the fairy-tale Ivö Island

Ivö is Scanias largest island,

situated in lake Ivö and

reachable by a a ferry from Barum.

The northern part of Ivö island with its lush vegetation reminds of a scene from a fairy-tale.

My previous visit to Ivö was early this year with a promise to be back to experience the summer high season when the island turns into a green oasis welcoming many national and international tourists. The island has 170 inhabitants and is Scanias largest island. A limestone layer contain fossils dating to the cretaceous period 70 million years ago. Typical fossils would be belemnites, mussels, brachiopods and ammonites. Sharp teeth and parts of skeletons of large lizard like animals called plesiosaurs has also been found. During 1880's until 1950's the island had a kaolin and limestone quarry. Kaolin was used to manufacture china, porcelain, paper, rubber, paint and many other products. Now tourism and agriculture is important but the island also produces ginger breads for Sweden and Germany. During the high season the daily production reaches 400.000 units.

The wonderful nature inspire to many kind of activities.

Visitors can stay at one of the two camping sites or at Ivögården B&B. Alternatively Kungsgården, a private farm with long traditions since 1848, offer the chance of enjoying farm life with its animals and crop cultivation. They all organize daily activities ranging from canoeing, cycling, water skiing to fishing. The northern area, where the quarry was, is a fossil rich area that can be visited by yourself or by joining an excursion tour to the area.

Ivögården (center) and the gorgeous nature on the island.

For anyone interested do ask for courses on cooking, marmalade production and cheese tasting. If you do not have the opportunity to stay on the island then the town of Bromölla offer programs, too. Humleslingan takes you on a 5 mile long trip around the island and the boat Klacken around on the lake with a stop at Ivö.

The church of Ivö and wheat fields next to Ivögården in the center of the village.

The church of Ivö is in roman style and it was built in the 13th century probably on the initiative of the bishop of Lund. It is one of the oldest brick-stone churches in Sweden. The wall paintings of fresco is dating back to the 14th century and the baptismal font in the church to the 13th century. Other old relics are displayed by the University of Lund (historical museum). 

Ivö church is dating back to the 13th century.

Ivö is a historical island with many tales to tell. You may discover the well of Ursula that is said to have transformed water into vine, the mystic caves that carry ancient fossils, the cellar of Ivöhus (remains of a stronghold where bishop Andreas Sunesson lived his last years) or the red ruins of Bratting Castle that is said to have sunk to the bottom of Ivö lake. If you take a tour at Klacken you will see what is left of the quarry and enjoy the lush shoreline while enjoying picnic or a barbecue at facilities provided.

Wild flowers of the season at Klacken shores.

Klacken shoreline by lake Ivö.

Ivö has much to offer but it all starts with one main issue; the relaxed environment and beautiful nature for anyone to enjoy. Activities are available for all in the family and excursions to nearby Kristianstad and its Vattenrike another opportunity. Have a great end to your holidays and a wonderful and sunny August!

:-)

Celebrated Ekestad Music Festival

Celebrated Ekestad Musik Festival

if you are in for a musical treat

Ekestad - is a small Scanian countryside village

with approximately 60 inhabitants.

Their annual music festival is limited in format 

but has high artistic ambitions

and offer surprise elements above the expected.

Celebrated stars joyfully perform

for an enthusiastic audience.

The Copenhagen Classic String Ensemble and soprano Isa Katharina Gericke.

This annual music festival in Ekestad Public Park (Folkets Hus) is organized by the local homestead association chaired by Mr.Thomas Bark. In collaboration with cellist Ingemar Brantelid who is an awarded solo player at Royal Danish Orchestra in Copenhagen, they have initiated this intimate event where performers and the audience are allowed to mingle.

The setting is simple, nostalgic and close to the nature which provide for a lyrical and poetic atmosphere that open up the senses in an exciting way. Such a feeling is unique to Ekestad. When you include elements of surprise in the repertoire, improvisations and extra performances the day is set for a remarkable experience.

The audience book for their light meal before Thomas Bark wishes everyone welcome.

The festival is starred with Denmarks only professional string sextett, Copenhagen Classic, the highly respected pianist Bengt Forsberg, the talented award winning young cellist Andreas Brantelid, the solo hornist Lasse Mauritzen and the fabulous Norwegian soprano Isa Katharina Gericke.

Copenhagen Classic was established in 1997 and has rapidly gained the positions as one of the leading chamber music ensembles in Denmark. Each member of the sextett has distinguished themselves as string musicians and hold top positions in their own distinctive orchestras and/or as soloists. The pianist Bengt Forsberg is strongly engaged in chamber music and specializes in less known composers and this was also apparent in the program this afternoon. The young cellist Andreas Brantelid started practicing the cello at the age of three with his father and later also with other instructors including Mats Rondin, Torleif Thedeen and others. He has won a number of prices and presently perform with the Lincoln Centre Chamber Music orchestra in New York but also but has also made his debut with several symphony orchestras. 

Andreas Brantelid posing during the break and Bengt Forsberg organizing his music by the piano.

The program this afternoon contained movements from Bach's cello solo suit nr. 5, lyric work by Alexander Glazunov, horntrio by Brahms and works of Franz Schubert, Leonard Bernstein as well as Erich Wolfgang Korngold. Andreas Brantelid and Bengt Forsberg both took a role as moderators explaining the history behind the music that was unfamiliar to many in the audience. Especially the lyrical tones of Glazunov seemed to raise an interest among the audience.

Members of the Copenhagen Classic,  Lasse Mauritzen (on the horn) and Isa Gericke performing.

Lasse Mauritzen has played the horne since the age of eight and is presently first solo hornist at the sympony orchestra of the Danish Radio and an honored guest among the best orchestras in London. Isa Gericke took her audience in a fabulous way. She has had several roles in operas including Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro", Humberdinck's "Hänsel und Gretel" and "Monteverdis Orfeus". 

The concert this afternoon lasted for 3,5 hours including two breaks allowing for some snacks and mingling in the gardens. The festival is made possible due to numerous volunteer's making an effort. Only transfer of the piano to the premises is expensive says Daniel Soutine (upper picture in the middle) who also sells the tickets as a favor to the organizers. Helping out is a strong tradition in the neighborhood and close to 50 organisations have contributed in some way.

Some discussion over more seldom herd horn music as well as Glazunovs and Korngold's works.

Celebrated stars at the end of today's program.

Time to say good-by to Ekestad for this year.

There is something very special to concerts like the one experienced today. They are held outdoors or amongst the green lush nature that seem to inspire both performers and the audience. Applauses are generous from the start until the end requesting for extra numbers and allowing for the performers to improvise making the audience even more excited. We have been set up for a special treat today with a promise top be back next year. If any reader is interested to join up tickets are released for sale early May for a performance early August. Check with info@kristianstadbokhandel.se 

Have a good working week everyone!

:-)

The Magical Forsakar Nature Reserve

The Magical Forsakar Nature Reserve

Forsakar is a deep ravine in Degeberga, Scania with water falls and lush green beech trees. It is said that it has been constructed by giants as a home for trolls and elves, the neck and other mythological creatures.....

After a refreshing rain, clouds give way for the sun and the rays find their ways....

The environment here always appear different. This time it had been raining and we where not sure if we could visit the place....luckily in the afternoon the rain stopped and the clouds gave way for the sun and the atmosphere became even more magical.....

....the air was warm and humid, almost like in a rain forest. The sun rays opened the shadows for light and an intense green color that we can see only after a rain....

The trolls and the elves must have been dancing of joy....

Humid and misty conditions over the brook that flows along the ravine.

The walk through the ravine is easy for anyone and the distance to the water falls not long. Very photographic all the way.....

The rays of the sun guided us this day all the way through.....

Visiting Forsakar is never a disappointment...pictures taken this time are again different from all the previous visits...cannot wait for the next one.

Have a great upcoming week-end everyone! If you decide to visit Forsakar you will not be disappointed.

:)

WWKiP Day in Östra Göinge

World Wide Knit in Public Day

The Largest Knitter Run Event in the World

A Solidarity Act Among Knitting Friends

WWKiP Day celebrated in Östra Göinge

The World Wide Knit in Public Day was launched in 2005 by Danielle Landes in order to bring together like-minded local knitters to share there thoughts and ideas around knitting that normally tend to be a rather solitary act. On June 13 each year the knitters of the world join together. The event has grown from 25 local events around the world to 882 events in 56 countries this year.

Some work displayed at Broby, Östra Göinge.

Local events are all different and up to the organizers to shape. Local traditions and wishes are important. "Knitting for Peace" is the theme for this group in Östra Göinge that has again grown from last year. Gerd-Inger Persson, who is the master mind behind the group, is pleased that so many have turned up to show and discuss their works. She points out that the event is both for ladies and gentlemen to join.

Knitting Groups in Sweden. (Source: WWKiP Day)

Sweden is well represented in the league of WWKiP Day (source: WWKiP Day).

Some of the skillfully crafted work displayed.

The events are open to everyone, young and old as well as men and women and offer a chance to know your neighbor better or make entirely new friends. This works also across the borders through the website of  WWKiP Day that bring forward cultural differences in a creative and joyful atmosphere. 

The young man joined the group with his family.

Broby Angels (Stina and Thomas Nilsson), in the background, serve sausages sponsored by the Church of Sweden.

Vivid discussion between group members on the topic of the day.

Gerd-Inger's group is very active and the members wants to display their colorful work at public places while  advocating for peace. Decorations, with their enlightening message, have found their place in waster paper bins and posts on the side of the streets in Broby. One campaign was carried out in Berlin in commemoration of the ending of the second world war.

Colorful sweaters produced for the youngest in the family.

A sincere thanks to Gerd-Inger for her kind invitation and the Broby Angels for their excellent service on a warm and sunny day and best of luck to your future projects carrying the message of peace and harmony to all of us. 

Have a very good week everyone!

:-)

Spring time by river Helge

River Helge early May, 2015

Early sun rays over river Helge.

Helge Å / River Helge in northeastern Scania offer photogenic environments where it is always nice to return to. This is the largest river in Scania measured in terms of water volume. It passes Östra Göinge where my pictures are taken and reaches the sea near Åhus, south of Kristianstad.

The air is slightly humid and the sun rises across the river providing for different settings during the early hours. In the autumn crispiness of the air creates hazy conditions but last week the air was clear and the sun found the river banks creating a glowing feeling.

For autumn pictures please visit our earlier blogposts. In northeastern Scania you can also find Swedens southernmost wilderness areas. The below pictures give some understanding of that particular environment.

While the western river bank is flooded with light the eastern side is partly in the shadows. 

Thank you for showing interest in our pictures - hope you enjoy them.

HAVE A NICE WEEK EVERYONE

:-)