Brandstorp

Vattern

I am looking across at Lake Vattern.  We have been here before, but it was from the lake looking at shore.  There is an island across the lake, beautifully silouetted against a blue sky, contrasting the twinkling lights in the castle there last night. It isn’t a great photo, but you get the idea.  I am sitting in Runo Davidsson’s home and just down the road is the ancestral mill. This is the land of the Warolins.  Beyond that is Runo’s older brother Olaf and his wife Majken Davidsson.  They are the sons of Anna Warolin who married a Davidsson.

We arrived at this royal place about 4:30 PM after a long but pleasant drive from Falun.  The weather has turned lovely, with crisp blue sky and sunny warmth.  

Amelia

We followed the map Runo and Ulla gave us to the letter and parked in the drive.  For a moment when we got out of the car, there was silence.  Then a little blond girl (of course she was) appeared shyly down the drive.  We learned a few minutes later that this was Amelia.  Chuck said to her, “Is this the place we are supposed to be?”  She began shaking her head in the affirmative and excitedly exclaimed, “Yes!”  Then she turned and ran back down the driveway from us squealing joyfully as she ran, “I said ‘yes’ to the Americans!”

Runo's Family

Runo appeared immediately and greeted us too.  Ulla and Runo introduced us to Ann-Sofia and her daughters Rebecca and, of course, Amelia.  Soon Susanne, Runo’s other daughter came with her husband Peter and children Michaela and Vincent.  Rounding out the dinner group were Majken and Olaf Davidsson. 

Olaf and Majken

Fortunately there were enough English speakers to keep us from staring blankly and only smiling as we shook our heads in agreement.  Ann-Sofie teaches English and lived in Wisconsin for a year as an exchange student.  Any Minnesotan can her the Wisconsin accent instantly.  (No, of course not, Silly!)  The children played, the adults visited and we all ate very well, salmon, potatoes, salad and more.  And for dessert we had delicious vanilla ice cream with jordgubbar (strawberries) and whipped cream.  Top that!

Ken