Hello! I am so excited today to share my first post about our recent travels. After the warmest, wettest winter on record in the UK, we decided it was time to get away and find some real wintery landscapes and snow. On arriving in Luleå, Sweden – we cautiously got in our hire car and drove 170km on glistening ice roads to Jokkmokk. Our trusty steed for the week gripped to the icy roads in amazing style! Layers and layers of fresh white snow were piled up all around and barely a sound came from the forests as we passed them on our travels to the middle of Swedish Lapland. Watch out for Reindeer and Moose were the words of advice as we left the airport – yep they just wander on out into the road in ones, twos, fives . . . . . .
This was the morning view we woke up to on our first stop at the Hotel Jokkmokk. These magical scenes of dog walkers making the most of the solid water could be seen every day out over the frozen Talvatis lake.
All around are trees and cabins and wood. I fell in love with nearly every home and building we passed and we passed a lot, our five snowy days were about as packed as they could be!
We met so many people (and animals) – craftsmen, reindeer herders, a foraged ‘food creator’ and lots of local business owners. This beauty above was part of Sámi reindeer herder Nils’ herd. These majestic animals summer up in the mountains and are then led down to warmer ground for feeding and closer care in the snowy months when they can no longer forage moss from the ground. Below is the exterior of the Ájttes Museum – inside our lovely guide, Sofia talked us through the culture of the Sami people and how they have survived in this challenging landscape that covers marsh, woods and mountains – since the country became free of ice until today.
We saw amazing temporary Lavvo tents lined with birch twigs to keep the cold ground at bay and animal skins for extra warmth. A dreamy rustic setting that quickly gets serious when you stop to think what it would actually be like to live outdoors long term – moving all your belongings with you via sled and wayward reindeer. We loved learning about this fascinating culture, a swirling history steeped in folklore and harsh realities. I could have stayed all day looking at ancient artifacts (if you go – make sure to see the shaman belt and baby hats stitched from treasured pieces of colourful fabric that had huge red pompoms and tassels.
The town of Jokkmokk was hushed and quite, a vast difference from only a couple of weeks before when the Winter Market – a four-hundred-year unbroken tradition – saw this town overrun with excited visitors. Behind these quiet scenes pockets of skilled artisans are making all manner of treasures from silver, wool, botanicals and nature (more of that in my next post).
Further down in Harads – the views were astounding in every direction and we barely felt the cold. It didn’t feel like the chill you get here in blighty – it was bright white and dry and yes our mouths got chapped (and hands a little when taking photos without gloves) – but with good boots and a proper winter coat, my feet stayed warm and my body had no idea it was sub zero!
We drove up and down the country in our five days and passed lots of tiny villages and towns. The traditional red wood clad cabins and beautiful out buildings looked magical against their snowy backdrop.
White dusted trees stood tall and straight all around as we jumped in and out of the Volvo to shoot pictures. I can’t even describe how beautiful it was to be surrounded by all this snow and nature.
Glimpses of birch and pines were always visible through the windows and this furry fellow was perfectly posed outside a home in Gammelstad Church Town. I will be back tomorrow with more highlights from our trip and some interiors I just know you will love! If you can’t wait until then get over to Swedish Lapland and Visit Sweden and see what season you’d like to spend there? xxx
