Don't make me leave!

Do you think it's possible to fall in love within 5 weeks? I do.

The tour is now officially over with all of us heading our separate ways early tomorrow morning. We had our farewell dinner with hosts and Rotarians from across the district yesterday and I know I speak for everyone when I say you honoured us by your presence. Or, in the case of Gustaw, by your willingness to dance!

We've seen and done so much that to describe it all would likely end in tears - my tears, as I am having trouble coming to terms with leaving. The attachment and love that we have developed for Sweden are so great that there don't seem to be enough words to describe our feelings.

Two words, however, will have to do for now.

THANK YOU.

To our hosts, for opening your hearts, doors (and kitchens!) to us. For being yourselves and accepting us as ourselves.

To all the GSE coordinators, who made sure that we were well looked after and stimulated vocationally everywhere we went.

To all the Rotary clubs, who invited us to present a little bit about Australia. We appreciate it all the more for your enthusiasm to get up and sing like kookaburras!

To all the organisations which took time out of their very busy schedules to welcome us and teach us new perspectives.

To our sponsor Rotary clubs in District 9800. We will never be able to thank you enough for this opportunity.

To my teammates, for being so supportive, encouraging and inspiring.

To everyone who has donated to the Rotary Foundation. Your generosity allows programs such as the GSE to run - and believe me when I say this is peace-making in motion.

TACK SÅ MYCKET!

Här gör vi så gott vi kan

Mmmmm chocolate! Hand-made! The team visited Ryfors Konfektyrer.

Vegemite and Pavs

While the Aussies gave Surstömming a go, we have also made sure to introduce vegemite to our hosts. Most seemed to prefer our pavlova!

Surströmming is not Paul McCartney Playing The Guitar

Surstömming (pronounced a bit like sir strumming) is a Swedish speciality - fermented fish.

Last night we took our chances and gave it a go despite being asked by the Swedes whether we had deathwishes. Surströmming needs to be opened outside its stench is so putrid - it's a bit like rotten oysters meets bluevein cheese meets Boss Hogg's underpants after 6 days straight of wearing them. Graphic yes, but it's the only way I could convey the visceral experience!

Anyway, it tastes ...interesting...we're still here to tell the tale.

But before you ask, unfortunately we can't bring any back into Australia with us because of the danger of a can exploding in the cargo hold during our flight. I'm sure you're all very disappointed back home...

Lake Vättern, what a team!

By Lake Vättern, near Jönköping,


some adventures and daring hatched,


with friends, some leadership required,


and a dash into Vättern in 6 degrees - go team!

Final presentation

It's hard to believe that we have just completed our final presentation to a Rotary club in Sweden. We are so grateful to the many clubs that have hosted us and shown us around their area during our 5 week visit. When attending club meetings we have been provided with wonderful meals, lovely conversation and members have shown genuine interest in both us as individuals and the information that we presented about Australia. We hope that we have been able to provide some insight into the Australian way of life and perhaps even persuaded a few people to visit 'down under' at some stage in the future. The clubs that have hosted us have shown tremendous support for and commitment to the GSE program, investing their time, knowledge and money into ensuring that we have had a magnificent time in Sweden. We have learnt more about Swedish culture through this exchange than we could possibly learn simply by 'travelling' through a country and we have met people that will never be forgotten.

A BIG tack så mycket!!!!

By the way, I need to add that Jamie and Mike were fortunate to have met the Swedish swinger Jessica Andersson when dining at a restaurant in Hjo, and for all of the non-believers, here is the photographic evidence.

Industries in the Forest

The forests are so important to Sweden: for export of timber product, furniture, heating for homes. In Småland we stayed with families in the forest, who for generations have been harvesting the trees. It must be quite something to harvest trees planted by your grandfather! Small villages we experienced in the forest were really groups of homes with neighbours helping each other. For example, one of our hosts in a small community called Pålskog, Magnus is a Smide (Smithy) who continues a family business and tradition in ironwork.

[Read more in the post below from Catherine]

This area near Skillingaryd was also an important area building stagecoaches and buggies.