Sofiero

The last weekend in May we went to Sofiero. Sofiero is just outside of Helsingborg. It used to be the summer residence (palace) for King Gustov VI of Sweden. The palace itself was not all that impressive (honestly, I've seen much larger and grander houses in northern VA) but the grounds... Sofiero is known for it's rhododendren bushes. King Gustov VI's first wife, Margaret, planted the first rhododendren bushes. They are amazing. Some of them are the size of a house! When we were there it was just past the peak season for the rhododendrens, but they were still impressive.

We met two other American families there - the Trively's and the Andersons. My Mom was still here visiting, so she came with us as well. (Despite what she may think, I did NOT take my Mom there to torture her... I did not realize there would be so many hills.)

I left Dave in charge of the camera so that I could walk with my Mom. Here is what happens when Dave is in charge of the camera...

A lovely picture of some rhododendrens...

"A picture of a snus can in it's natural environment."

A pretty flower.

Another pretty flower.

Walking beneath a giant rhododendren bush.

A totem pole. Yes, a totem pole on the royal grounds. Go figure.

Lilli on Daddy's shoulders.

One of they many hills we climbed. (I think this was when Mom thought I was trying to kill her.)

More rhododendren bushes.

A dandelion.

Ryan and Tipton climbing the castle carved out of a tree trunk. (Tipton is barely visible between the two right-most turrets.) This is at the playground where the royal children would play.

Lilli climbing one of the more recent additions to the playground.

The view from the playground. We sat here to eat our picnic lunch.

Martin at the top of the climbing structure. Dave also climbed to the top, but sadly I did not get a picture.

All of the beautiful rhododendren bushes, and Lilli is most impressed by one of the little yellow flowers that grow like weeds.

Dave tried to take an artistic photo of Lilli playing in one of the many sculptures. I love this one.

They had a labyrinth made of bushes. Surrounding the labyrinth were several topiary bushes. Dave liked the one shaped like a squirell. We thought it was funny that they'd shape a bush to look like a squirell. Incidentally, the kids LOVED running through the labyrinth.

After the laybrinth we came upon a fountain. Immediately the kids knelt down to play in it. (Mia, Lilli, Clare)

The view out of one of the back palace windows.

Another labyrinth - this one lined with stones.

A rat carved on top of one of the stones. The labyrinth told the story of the La Fontaine's fable "The Lion and the Rat."

Martin taking a picture of Dave taking a picture of Martin taking a picture of Dave...

Lilli enjoying her chocolate ice cream with chocolate sprinkles on the lawn in front of the castle.

Jenn in front of some rhododendren bushes.

Lilli passed out in the car on the way home. Drooling. She gets that from her father...

The weather was beautiful and the rhododendrens were amazing. A good time was had by all.