Tarnaby, Sweden

We have just spent an incredible week in a tiny town called Tarnaby in the north of Sweden with Simon and Monika Edmonson, and their little daughter Aana. It's a beautiful spot, set amongst the mountains, forrests and surrounded by big lakes.

Monika has her glass studio here in an old barn by the lake. In this barn, she produces the most incredible glass artwork. We were lucky enough to visit Monika's exhibition in Stockholm last week and were blown away by it. Today she gave us a tour of her studio and explained the long process she came up with to create these pieces. You should definately have a look at Monika's website (via the link on the right hand side) where you can see pictures of her work!!

One thing we realised very quickly about this place is that it's cold!! Our first morning here we woke to snow, and it continued for several days. Was pretty exciting, but as we were still living in our 'summer' cycling gear, we weren't exaclty prepared for snow!!

So, we spent a good few days in their cosy warm house reading books, playing with Aana and having saunas.......ooohh all very relaxing! Then there is the outside stuff - picking berries, hiking in the mountains, digging potatoes, canoeing on the lakes etc. It really is a great way of life up here, and we can see why Simon & Monika love it so much.

But, you need to soak up the culture too....and what better way to do that that go to a traditional Sami Reindeer Slaughter!! Not for the faint hearted, or even those who don't like the sight of blood. I wasn't sure how I'd go, but it turned out to be one of those experiences where you are so interested in what's happening that you just can't look away. So, we watched the Sami people herd all of their reindeer together (thousands of them) into one big area. They then sort through them, capturing some with lasoos to tag, others to eat etc. I was contemplating vegetarianism, but then the whole process is quite humane, and the animals are free until the very last moment.

So, we thought that was all pretty amazing, but then a few days later a Sami friend of Monika's turned up at the doorstep with one of these reindeers! So, into the kitchen (aka makeshift butcher) where he started to disect it into edible pieces!! Mick and I joined in the production line bagging it up in freezer bags. Much fun was had!