281 days and 10 hours to go!...

The day has started with a letter in the mail that has brighten up my day... and, rather appropriately, I was intending on telling you about her today. :-) But one thing at a time... and so I'm now taking you back to the past 2nd of June.

On this day, we left our temporary Swedish home in Skummeslövsstrand and headed for Varberg, for lunch with a rather special penpal of mine.

Claudia - that's her name - received us in her heartwarming home, with her adorable son and husband, with a wonderful lunch. After our lunch, they took us out to see what Varberg has to give... and it's plenty. It's a beautiful seaside city, reminding me much of my own home town. It felt like I could combine there the best of both places, which was such an inspiring idea.

Do you remember my ramblings on having penpals? Well, this is yet another example on how reaching out and investing on human interaction can be a hobby that pays off way beyond your imagination. We were received so well, all of us, by Claudia and her family that it felt like we knew each other for years and years and we were just re-visiting old friends after a long period of absence.

After our city visit, we went back to Claudia's home, to chat a little, look at some pictures and have some coffee - or should I say fika? :-) As I mentioned earlier, I was so spoiled this year for my birthday. They also got me a birthday cake - and one with raspberries - my favourites!

And then the evening came, and it was time to return back to base... which we did, feeling so warm inside and cared for and light. Tack så jätte mycket för allting, querida! :-)

And today I got another letter from Claudia, who's doing good and enjoying her Summer days. Her letters have been coming in English and Spanish, but this time she wrote in Swedish - a good way for me to practice she thought (and I agree!) and a good opportunity for some sofa time with Mr. B. while reading it. So, my day started off with a glass of Nyponsoppa, that Mr. B. prepared last night, a cup of coffee and a long letter in Swedish - not bad for a daily practice, is it? :-)