Thursday, May 26, 2011

Things we take for granted


Sometimes we take things around us just for granted. In Sweden we have something that is unique and for us so obvious that we forget how wonderful it is. We can go out in the forest picking berries or mushrooms. We can also lit up a fire and put up a tent for one night without asking the owner. It doesn't matter if it's a private person or the crown. But all these rights give of course a lot of obligations to behave in a way that doesn't give damages to the ground. 


It's called "Allemansrätten" (all men right) and is something that we talk about in school so that the children will know how it works. When I was out on Wednesday evening I stopped by this Juniper to see if it got any berries ready to pick. I dry them and use them as flavour with moose meat.


But I only saw this little bleu one so I 'll have to wait and pick them another time. These bushes are quite low here in the north part of Sweden. They are much higher in the south.


4 comments:

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

I think it is wonderful that you can walk about on others properties enjoying the beauty of nature. I feel that here in the US people can be QUITE selfish with their land and belongings.
Thankfully this is not the case for EVERYONE.

Ms. Becky said...

I love the practice of sharing beyond borders, it's beautiful. my Bavarian friend uses Juniper berries a lot in her cooking at her restaurant. you teach me so much with your lovely blog Ella!

Barbara said...

Your photos and descriptions of the land are so beautiful Ella.

We do over-do it here in the States sometimes. If everyone had the same respect for nature and property we could probably be more lenient.

Thanks for this beautiful post.

p.s. MOOSE?

ML said...

The berries of the juniper need 3 years for ripeness. In the first year it is the blossom, the second year the green berries grow and in the third year they ripen and the berries get blue. This is the reason, why you can find flowers, green and blue berries to the same time on the same shrub.