How little did we realise just how literal that "Hail!" would be!

Our friends Anders and Liz (he is Swedish, she is American) came all the way from Flyinge (near Malmö) with their children for a weekend with us.



They were the easiest guests to have over - so happy and flexible that I felt I could relax completely. I've been very lucky with meeting people that I only knew online. Almost everyone I've met has been really nice and the one or two negative experiences are soon put in perspective when you meet up with lovely people like Liz, Anders, Martin and Karin.

THURSDAY

We spent the entire day and evening in Stockholm. It was glorious, sunny spring weather so we decided to take advantage of the special opening times of a boat shop at Ulriksdal to replace the boat's Swedish flag that flew off in the wind storm and grab one or two other things. We then travelled to see Madde, go out for fika and a walk in the sunshine. Lambi was beside herself with joy and Madde was happy to see us as well as to get out in the sunshine a while. She seemed a little remote and thoughtful, but perked up a bit when we talked about her upcoming graduation.

FRIDAY

Today I had to do all the things I should have done before! I went shopping to stock up on things we'd need over the weekend. Of course, Willys didn't have all I needed, so I also had to go to centrum and get a few things at Konsum and Systembolaget. Then it was cooking for dinner and lunch the next day, plus cleaning the apartment and getting the bedding ready. Miraculously, I was ready just before they arrived.

I was slightly annoyed with Liz as I had said to come around 6pm. Lars-Göran said they'd be driving a Volvo stationwagon and get here at 6pm on the dot. I laughed at that - imaging she'd have a more individual car and would not be so punctual! We had a semi-bet about it and thanks to Liz arriving on the dot of 6 in a Volvo stationwagon, I lost that bet. Damn! I had to endure Mr Smug grinning at me in victory.

Nåväl...

We had dinner and went to the harbour so that they could see where the boat is and be able to find it in the morning.



I LOVE the expression on Karin's face. Those kids were great. Really well mannered, chatty and wonderful with Lambi. It was so cute to watch them feed her, pat her and play with her. Martin loves to draw and over the weekend he drew a whole pad of animals that he'd seen at Kolmården - and they were wonderful drawings. Karin was a bundle of energy and life with an eagle eyed ability to find playground equipment and concrete ducks.



As you can see it was calm and sunny at the harbour and out on our pier. Everyone handled getting on and off the boat well and we looked forward to the next day's sailing. We were concerned about the weather, but decided that it may be okay and we'd see what it was like in the morning. We slept on the boat and let them have the apartment. We told them it was because it was a small apartment, but really it was so we could gossip about them *grin*

Saturday

After last night's punctuality, we were scared they'd turn up at 9.30 on the dot, so we were up and ready early. And they were late (Murphy rules again!). The day was sunny, with some cloud cover and best of all, we had wind! So Lars-Göran and I cast off, raised the sails and then handed the tiller over to Anders and let him steer the boat.



He looks quite the natural, even though he'd never sailed before in his life. I think he enjoyed himself and he and Lars-Göran chatted away like old friends. Funny how these men are shy about meeting strangers, then when you finally crowbar them together and they click, you can't shut them up!



After an hour and a half, we landed at out club island of Lacka (set in a group of islands north of Nynäshamn and just outside of the Muskö Naval base). They all went off to explore while I did the last minute lunch preparations. As it was clouding over, we discussed where to eat lunch. We can set up a table in the cockpit, but then I thought the children would like to run around a bit, so I suggested the picnic area by the pier. But Lars-Göran decided that just in case it rained, we should use the club house, set on the east of the island, overlooking Mysignen.



As it turns out, it was a sensible choice. Not only did it rain a few minutes after we set up, it HAILED. Huge, marble sized hailstones that covered the ground like a blanket of snow.



We were dry and happy inside, enjoying our lunch and enjoying the view over the main fjärd that leads to Stockholm.



After lunch, we waited a while, watching the clouds move over the islands and waters and decided it was not going to leave in a hurry. This was a pity as the rest of the island is pretty. But we made a dash for the boat, where Lars-Göran and I set up the cockpit tent and made the choice to motor home with the tent up.

About 15 minutes after we cast off, the rain disappeared and I could open up the tent while we went back to Nynäshamn. We chatted and enjoyed the scenery while "the boys" took care of the steering - aided by a continuous supply of coffee!



Back at Nynäshamn (the sunniest kommun in Stockholmslän) it was clear and sunny. Rain? Hail? Not here. After dinner, Lars-Göran took them on a short tour of the area overlooking the sea and we enjoyed dessert together and they gave us a beautiful candle-holder as a thankyou gift.