Yesterday, we spent the day going back and forth to Eskilstuna, so I could be seen by a specialist at the district hospital. I must have been subconsciously worried about it, because I awoke from a really bizarre dream where Elvis invited me for lunch with him in the hospital cafeteria! Why, oh why it was Elvis, who I don't even like, is anybody's guess. But I can tell you that when I volunteered the information over breakfast, L-G looked at me as though he thought it wiser to visit the psychiatric ward, rather than the mammogram centre.

Eskilstuna is just over 100 kms from here, so it was a bit of a long drive. However, what made my day was that during the night, the snow had returned and we could admire the beautiful white landscape. It was that lovely fluffy snow, which fell gently and steadily, piling up decoratively on the bare branches, as though someone had sprayed the world with marshmallow. Just lovely!




As we ventured further inland, the snow was heavier. Fortunately the road surface was very good, we had on our studded winter tyres, traffic was very light - and L-G is an excellent driver. It meant that we could enjoy the scenery around us. It is so dark at this time of the year, particularly on a cloudy day, where it is almost dusk-like all day. When you get snow, it lightens the world. The dark pine forests take on another dimension and seem a more fairyland like place rather than a dark and menacing wall.




Everything went really well at the hospital. They were so caring and gentle with me, carefully explaining why I was called back and what they were most worried about that I began to think the news might be bad. I think I was in denial about it all. So, they retook one scan, then the doctor looked at it, comparing it with a set of scans I had with me from an earlier treatment back in Adelaide.

Still not happy, they took an ultrasound of the area and decided that they would drain what they thought was a large cyst. They stuck in a needle the size of Nelson's Column (without anaesthetic!) and took a surprising amount of what looked like beef bouillon from my right boob. Once she saw it, the doctor said it looked normal, so they were happy to let me go with a follow-up to be scheduled in a year.

As Elvis was nowhere to be seen, we left the building and went back out into the snow. Much relieved, I can tell you. The visit was free, which was a nice surprise, plus on looking at the receipt the receptionist had given me, I saw that I could send it in to the local government and they would reimburse me for my travelling costs! So, those high tax rates do pay sometimes.




We had originally thought that we might look around Eskilstuna a little, but it was bitterly cold and still snowing, so we took a quick peek at the older part of town, then headed homewards. I had packed thermoses of tea and coffee and made some rolls up as I knew we'd be away all day and I hate being hungry. We thought we would turn off the main road and stop near a beautiful old church we had seen on the way there and eat our snack.




Now, isn't this view much better than a hospital cafeteria, with or without Elvis? This church is at a little place called Ärla. It dominates the landscape around it, built as it is on a small rise, overlooking the flat farmland. The church itself dates from 1789, though parts of it are from the middle ages. The warm, golden colour made it seem very welcoming and there is no doubt that the snow added a new dimension to the whole picture. There is such beauty even in a stark, wintery landscape. I find a scene like this extraordinary still, despite having lived here so long.

We made good time on the homeward stretch, so we were able to go in and buy some curtains we'd been discussing for the living room. Plus I fell in love with a lovely tealight candleholder, featuring three reindeer. It called out to me and I had to bring it home. You'll have to wait until tomorrow for a picture, though.

Today, I have baked my lussekatter all ready for Lucia tomorrow, when L-G will be served breakfast in bed for the second time this week! It surprises me that this tradition still survives in a country where women's rights are considered as equal to men's. But it seems that on December 13th, the women still serve their menfolk the traditional Lucia breakfast. But more about that tomorrow!

And to really brighten my day, a wonderful parcel of goodies arrived from a dear friend in Adelaide. It was just like Christmas!




Inside were beautiful Haigh's chocolates, some mini Tim Tams, my very favourite Lemon Myrtle Tea, plus a Christmas Tea (both from the T Bar), packets of herb seeds to grow a kitchen garden, two recipe booklets from Delicious, a Christmas runner, a calendar of beautiful Australian scenes, a Tim Tam tea mug, two pot holders and a selection of blank greeting cards, each featuring an Australian flower. There was also some of her beautiful, home made Garam Masala which I love to use to spice up my curries.

So a big thankyou to Paul. It made my day to open up a parcel which I know you have put together with just us in mind. It showed that while we are physically far away, our friendship lives on as strongly as the days when we met up at Burnside Village for our weekly cappuccino therapy. And what a fabulous way to light up the darkest time of our year.