Pottering in the Park

All my posts about Sweden seem to feature The Great Outdoors. That’s where we often wanted to be. I’m going to show you some of Gothenburg’s parks. They were a wonder. Immaculately maintained, beautifully planted. A refreshing mix of formal, informal, and wild-as-Nature-intended. Just like the parks in the other cities we visited: Stockholm, Kalmar, Malmö. Money shortages mean that many of Britain’s parks are shabbier than they used to be – even Harrogate’s former Jewel-in-the-Crown, Valley Gardens. So seeing such cared-for open spaces in Sweden was a treat and a revelation.

Because they were so near our hotel, we spent time in the Botanical Gardens, open every day, all year round, around the clock. But we barely scratched the surface. We went to Slottsskogen. But we only saw a tiny part of the whole (though we rather liked the maze). And on our last day, because it was right next to the station, we had a little time in Trädgårdsföreningen (The Garden Society of Gothenburg) one of the best preserved 19th century parks in Europe. Every one of these offered us open spaces; enticingly planted flower beds; water – both moving and still; palm houses; magnificent vistas. We didn’t get to explore any of them adequately, much less their wilder parts. Here’s a collage of pictures from all three parks. But please note the robot-mower which I spotted one evening in the Botanical Gardens,, moving methodically up and down an expanse of lawn, keeping it neat and tidy. When it had done what it had to do, it chuntered off and put itself to bed in its little hut.

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Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

45 thoughts on “Pottering in the Park”

  2. Lovely, Margaret. Sweden is a richer country than ‘ours’, I think, and can afford to maintain its public spaces. I did think Valley Gardens were looking raggy when I was there last xx

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    1. Valley Gardens shocked me when I visited for the first time this year. And yes, Sweden does seem more prosperous, But its entire population is not a great deal more than that of London. Not a lot of tax-payers to draw on for funds, apparently, and they have the social issues we have too.

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  6. Such beautiful parks! My husband would be mortified if I got him a robot mower as his main garden pleasure is cutting the grass. My daughter requested I get her a robot vacuum for her birthday last year and she loves that, especially as it can be set off remotely while she’s at work. She does this to un-nerve her husband if he is working from home.

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    1. It’s a shame. But I don’t blame the councils. Years and years of being squeezed till it really hurts means that ‘optional extras’ go to the wall.

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  10. I haven’t been to that park in Gothenburg (mind you, last time we were there was for a January wedding….). I read that you had been to Kalmar – have I missed that post or is it to come? It is my husband’s home town.

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  14. Beautiful. Just enjoying the photos makes me feel cooler which is no mean feat right now. OH has recently acquired a robot lawnmower and he is busily making a house for it. We do have a fair bit of lawn although not quite at city park levels. But it’s quite steep in places and I wouldn’t want to mow it so I don’t blame OH for the investment. I confess, after my initlal skepticisim, I’ve grown rather fond of seeing it chuntering around the garden and then putting itself to bed. And it does a lovely job!

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      1. Maybe. I remember visiting a rose garden in Michigan in the heat of their summer -the poor things were so bedraggled. Come winter they’d be buried under ice or snow.

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  18. These parks look absolutely beautiful. I really like the balance you describe between carefully maintained gardens and more natural areas—it must make them a pleasure to explore. And I have to admit, the robot mower quietly putting itself to bed made me smile! Thanks for sharing another enjoyable glimpse of your time in Sweden.

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