At the end of August, we made a quick trip to Switzerland. Before leaving, we took the opportunity to pick some lingonberries in the forests of Värmland, even though they were not quite fully ripe. This year, there were plenty of lingonberries and blueberries, unlike last year. We and the dogs picked as much as we could, ending up with both lingonberry jam and bags of fresh berries for the freezer. Since we had stayed in Sweden longer than planned because of the heat in Switzerland, we couldn’t get a dog cabin on the ferry from Gothenburg to Kiel. So instead, we took the opportunity to visit a fantastic vineyard in southern Sweden where you can stay overnight, enjoy good food and bring your dogs. Before crossing the bridges through Denmark, we visited Kullaberg Nature Reserve on the Kullahalvön peninsula between Båstad and Helsingborg. A spectacular rocky landscape rising dramatically from a region dominated by vast sandy beaches. We also took the short ferry from Helsingborg to Helsingør, which runs continuously and saved us the detour around Malmö. Once back home in Switzerland, we immediately visited another vineyard near Zurich for comparison. Completely different places, histories and grape varieties, yet remarkably similar in one respect: two highly committed families who live for their vineyards. As I write this, we are packing the car and heading back to Sweden again. What will happen on this journey? Follow us and you’ll find out! You can find the films from the vineyards under “Tallevika Videos” and “Culture and Cuisine”. Click on the picture and turn up the volume!

Our best time is now. July, when summer is at its very best. Lake Vänern, with its 22,000 islands, attracts many people out onto the water – us, our dogs and our visitors as well. Boat traffic is intense in Vålösundet, with everyone heading out to one of the many islands. There are boat buses, kayaks and motorboats available for rent. A stand-up paddleboard, however, is something you should bring yourself. We have four boards, but that is not enough for all the dogs, so some of them have to travel together on a tandem board. A kayak trip on a mirror-calm lake as large as the canton of Bern, almost 6,000 km², is a truly unique experience. There are many swimming spots to choose from, with both sandy beaches and rocky bathing areas. The evenings are bright and warm, inviting people to visit one of the many restaurants close to the water. Concerts, music quizzes and sing-along events follow one another throughout the summer. If the weather is not suitable for swimming, a shopping trip to charming Kristinehamn is easy and enjoyable. Everything is within walking distance, with plenty of parking spaces and lovely shops, cafés and restaurants to explore. Check out our summer films under Seasonal Videos. Link in the picture.

May was an eventful month in Kristinehamn. After an intensive start with all the dog activities, it was time for maintenance and garden work. Every spring, all the pine trees need pruning, and the wooden decks and jetty have to be scrubbed and oiled. There was also time for some enjoyable activities. We naturally got to know the new owners of Nock, the restaurant with its own marina close to Tallevika. Although they are enclosing part of the pier to make it more weatherproof for their guests, the restaurant remained open. We attended a rum tasting led by the highly knowledgeable "RomRobban," whose expertise in rum is truly impressive. At the end of May, the annual Food Walk (Matluffen) took place. Together with several hundred other participants, we visited all five archipelago restaurants in a single day. It was a fantastic event. One day we explored the Klarälven Delta in Karlstad. This active river delta has been shifting since around 1600 BC. Today it is a protected bird sanctuary where grazing cattle help keep the landscape open. Long boardwalks cross the wetlands, and curious cows occasionally join you along the way. Dogs are welcome, but they should be confident, calm, and responsive to their owners. We wrapped up our stay at the beginning of June, leaving Tallevika in the hands of local contractors for façade renovation and painting. We'll be back at the beginning of July, when our first visitors from Switzerland arrive. Links to all the videos can be found under "Seasonal Videos"