So, our final week came and went!!! Quieter for birds with Kay and I ringing just 48 birds of 17 species. During the latter half of the week we spent time taking down most of the 30 nets we had been using since mid-July, so on the 30th November, our last day, we had just 5 nets open by the time we closed them for the last time at 1430. By then we had given up hope of breaking the record for a year for Waxwing, which stood at 78, with us stuck on 77!!!
Luck was with us though, as on our last net round, as we were closing the last net we caught 3 Waxwing, taking the record to 80!! A splendid way to finish the trip, and we even got a ringing tick for Janne!!!
So, nets closed, data entered and the last few files backed up, it was time for the final bit of packing, a shower and then load most of our luggage onto the ferry ready for leaving the next day. All safely stored on board (now that is service!!) it was down to the the pub, where Hanna and Inga had laid on a farewell meal for us; traditional Swedish Christmas food, with fish and cold meats, pickles, potatoes and a cake to round it off. What a great way to end our stay there, in their company, along with Lasse, Lena, and Ellan, Janne, Monica and Tore. Really good company and a lovely night.
First thing on the 1st December were were off on the ferry at 0635 with Lasse at the helm and Monica on duty. Tearful farewells at Ankerudden before a trip to Nynshamn for some shopping and then our trip home by road began, after our breakfast stop at Rosenhill for pancakes, jam and cream.
Uneventfull trip home, with temperatues not rising above 0 degrees all the way through Europe and sometimes dropping to -4. It was dry though, so no problems with the roads. Stayed at Ljungby in Sweden on the first night before getting to Maribo in Denmark on night 2, where we picked up Smew for the birding list and a lifer for Kay. Cold walks along the lake at dusk and in the morning before leaving to get to Osnabrook in Germany, where we found the hotel after an hour or so!!!
All three hotels were comfortable, with good food, reasonably priced and WITH FLUSHING TOILETS!!! What a treat. Well done Kay for finding them. On the 4th, it was a trip to Rotterdam to get the overnight ferry before leaving Hull on the 5th, across England to Heysham for the 1415 sailing to the good old Isle of Man. Home at last by 1800. Feels good to be back, but we both miss Landsort, Sweden and all the many friends we have made there.
Safe to say, it will not be our last trip to a wonderful country and a beautiful island.
First thing on the 1st December were were off on the ferry at 0635 with Lasse at the helm and Monica on duty. Tearful farewells at Ankerudden before a trip to Nynshamn for some shopping and then our trip home by road began, after our breakfast stop at Rosenhill for pancakes, jam and cream.
Uneventfull trip home, with temperatues not rising above 0 degrees all the way through Europe and sometimes dropping to -4. It was dry though, so no problems with the roads. Stayed at Ljungby in Sweden on the first night before getting to Maribo in Denmark on night 2, where we picked up Smew for the birding list and a lifer for Kay. Cold walks along the lake at dusk and in the morning before leaving to get to Osnabrook in Germany, where we found the hotel after an hour or so!!!
All three hotels were comfortable, with good food, reasonably priced and WITH FLUSHING TOILETS!!! What a treat. Well done Kay for finding them. On the 4th, it was a trip to Rotterdam to get the overnight ferry before leaving Hull on the 5th, across England to Heysham for the 1415 sailing to the good old Isle of Man. Home at last by 1800. Feels good to be back, but we both miss Landsort, Sweden and all the many friends we have made there.
Safe to say, it will not be our last trip to a wonderful country and a beautiful island.
