(Just returned from Stockholm.)

Yesterday and today were spent out in Ljusterö in Stockholm’s archipelago, in delayed Christmas celebrations with the extended Bergheden family. A very varied weekend. One moment we were out walking the hysterically enthusiastic dogs, then later opening all the gifts, which due to Hedvig’s help was a rather noisy affair and involved quite a bit more running around than traditional. Then a long and animated dinner, all-vegetarian because of us two and Eric’s sister Lisa; a very nice gesture. Eric and I contributed a slight English touch: party poppers (much enjoyed by Hedvig) and a Christmas pudding (much enjoyed by the adults). Today: a late brunch, trying out some of the gifts, and generally just “hanging out with the family”, and then this evening a flight back home.

After four days of doing nothing much at all, apart from some shopping, reading, dining and socialising, I am rested and restless. Long stretches of idleness make me feel twitchy and at the same time languid and limp. There’s a very good word in Swedish for this state – seg, which literally means “viscous”, like a thick liquid, implying that the body is disinclined to energetic movement, as if it was moving through thick mud, or as if it was made of rubber, and the brain feels about the same.

Now that I’m home all my energy has come flowing back, and I am wide awake even though it is almost midnight (edit: make that “past midnight”) and I didn’t sleep particularly well last night. Unfortunately I will need to get up in just over 6 hours. With a bit of luck all this energy will still be there in the morning.