In case you non-Aussies are scratching your head at the title of this post, I'll be kind and tell you that it refers to the classic anthem Up There Cazaly which is considered by many to be the Bohemian Rhapsody of footy songs. And the greatest game on earth was part of the reason that over 100 Aussies (and one American - sorry Randall, we can't all be perfect!) came together today for the annual ANZAC Day picnic in Stockholm. And what a wonderful day we had.

We were among the early birds to arrive on the beautiful, warm sunny spring day.



It was perfect weather for a barbeque. The sun was shining, a few fluffy clouds in the sky and a gentle breeze was wafting across Gärdet sportsfields. We said hello to several friends and set ourselves down while Lambi set off on the all important task of sussing out what was in all the eskies.



While the adults busied themselves setting up barbeques, preparing salads and chatting to friends, the kids got together and arranged a cricket game. We may have a future Bradman amongst these little guys.



After a while, more and more people arrived and set up their barbies, picnic blankets and the air buzzed with laughter and conversation. I cooked our lunch, while Lars-Göran and Randall caught up on sailing tips, then we all sat together with several friends and talked. A few people from SCC circulated selling raffle tickets for a basket of Aussie goodies (no, I didn't win, unfortunately!) and others sold packs of ANZAC biccies. It was a nice, relaxed and friendly atmosphere.



Once lunch was digested, it was time to see what we were made of, when the boys from the footy club helped organise a long kick competition. Many people lined up for a shot at the longest kick, with several of the women outkicking the guys!



Kick of the day came from a Swedish girl who was playing volleyball at the courts nearby and came over to see what we were all doing. She was invited to have a go and she kicked a monster shot that would do any leading AFL side proud. There were a few red-faced guys around after that. People enjoyed the spectacle and lazed around in the warmth and sunshine.



We had one hairy moment, reminiscent of the run in we had with Mr Busy-body at the Australia Day function. This time it was Mrs Busy-Body and her daschund that looked like a loaf of bread with legs. I guess she was in her late 60s and seemed to hate the fact that we were all enjoying ourselves. She demanded to know if we had a permit to barbeque, a permit to drink beer in the park, a permit to have a flag other than Swedish flying, a permit to have the cars on the grass and when we ignored her, she angrily marched off to call the police. We were pretty sure the police would not be interested in our small gathering and sure enough no cops turned up.




I simply don't understand people like her. We were in the middle of a public park, surrounded by open space and commercial offices, nowhere near a residential area that we could possibly disturb. We were quiet, there was no loud music, just a few people playing cricket and having a barbeque. What is it to her? As she marched off, she called us ignorant foreigners, so perhaps THAT was the main problem - we weren't Swedes. Several other curious people stopped by and asked what the occasion was and most were really nice about it and wished us a happy day. But there always has to be one spoil-sport.

Anyway, by now it was getting on for 4pm, so the boys began to change into their footy gear.



There was a team line up, then Phil made a short speech about ANZAC Day and we all stood, listened to the haunting sound of The Last Post and observed a minute's silence to remember the fallen before the opening bounce of the spirited game.



Post match discussions at the local Australian pub finished off a relaxed, easy-going day among friends. Though the intricacies of the football game still escape my darling Swede who confessed to not having a clue what was going on or why we were cheering. I think I have some homework to do on him before next year. I did, however, notice that he had no trouble understanding what to do with the ANZAC biscuits!