we are back from sailing briefly as L-G has to have his allergy testing done today at the skin specialist's office in Södermalm. We are home for showers, checking email etc and about to head off for the appointment and taking the opportunity to meet people and have dinner with them in Stockholm.

I also wanted to post the photos of Madde's studenten (graduation) last Friday. Madde is L-G's 20 year old daughter.

I've never been to one of these before, though every summer I've seen the students parading around in their graduation caps and being driven through town on the back of trucks decorated with birch boughs. We don't make a big fuss at all about high school graduations so this was quite exciting for me.

The students are inside school all morning saying farewell to teachers, friends etc, listening to speeches etc. I gather that a fair bit of alcohol is quietly drunk as well, starting with the traditional "champagne breakfast"! They are presented with the school cap, which rather resembles a sea captain's hat. The girls traditionally wear white with the guys dressed in formal suits.

Meanwhile the families gather outside to await the graduating students. We arrived just before the "newly baked students" were to be let loose and there was quite a crowd gathered in the forecourt. We made our way over to where L-G's kids were waiting with their banners, flowers and keepsakes. It was a glorious summer day, full of sunshine, heady perfume from the flowering trees and a wonderful carnival atmosphere.

Just after midday, the students came out of the school. It was like a lake of swans approaching:



Annelie (L-G's younger daughter) filmed on our video camera and L-G took the photos from their vantage point. I was a little to the side trying to keep Lambi calm as she was beside herself with joy at the sight of all the people she loves in the world gathered in one place. Soon after, we spotted Madde with her friend Christine. In the following photo, you can see them at the left hand side of the shot - Christine is the tall girl with the blue and white halter top and Madde is next to her, wearing a white top and beige pants.



Madde saw the poster that Micke (her big brother) had organised from the photos we had picked out with Annelie a few weeks ago and made her way over to the family where she was showered with flowers and a variety of tokens were placed around her neck. There was a lot of laughter, congratulations and a lovely friendly atmosphere, spiced up with live music from a great samba band. We posed with her for a quick photo:



Just check out that look of adoration on Lambi's face. No doubt where HER true affection lies. You can see the poster here and the little tokens around her neck.

Then it was on to the float. There was a lot of singing, shouting and drinking as Madde climbed up to her spot to be driven around Stockhoolm adding to the Friday afternnon traffic chaos. I hear a lot of expats moan about these parades, but honestly were you not young once? Give the kids a break! It's not EVERY week this happens, but only once a year. I personally love to see them out enjoying themselves and always wave to them as they pass by.



She looks great in this photo, but most parents won't be surprised when I tell them that in fact she was doing her "Please, pappa, can I have some money!"

Later there was a party for the family and Madde dropped in until 9pm then she took off for a party with her friends at Hardrock Café in Sveavägen, getting home at 4am - tired but really overjoyed to have been part of it all.