Warmest New Year’s Eve on record in Stockholm

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power to the people

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myth busting-001

fuller story

Democratic socialism’s results in Sweden….

remember that argument about ‘socialist states’ and poor econimies. Well, eat your heart out all you critics

full article is available here at the Government Offices of Sweden website

do you get good value for your taxes? The Swedish answer

 

Since no person is an island there are costs to living in a society. So we pay taxes to maintain the kind of society we want to live in.

But are we satisfied with the services we get for our taxes?  Well, granted that it is generally the fashion to complain about government (national or local)

it’s interesting to see how folks consider the ‘satisfaction index’ of the main services. The ‘Swedish Quality Index’ gives some answers about the local level:

Water and sewage (76.7)

Preschool (75.8)

Upper secondary school (73.5)

Garbage and waste disposal (72.7)

Home services (72.5)

Health care (72.2)

Primary school (71.1)

Sports & recreational services (70.9)

Retirement homes (70.9)

Culture and leisure (68.2)

Municipalities and county councils (67.6)

Public transport (67.1)

Business services (62.2)

Security (61.1)

Environment and climate services (56.7)

Public information services (56.6)

Road maintenance (54.1)

Individual and family care (54.1)

 

and what may also surprise many is that Sweden does NOT pay the highest taxes compared to many European countries. Click below to see the details

the art of Swedish proverbs

To some it's a confused mess, to others it is an artistic masterpiece.....best to go

with the art as a reflection of who you really are

The real facts about ‘vikings’

A new museum is opening up to tell the real facts about those ‘viking marauders’.

click on the pic for more info

Stockholm 111 year snow record - 1.27 ft in 1 day

November snow history 2004–2016 in Gallnas

 

click the pic to go to video

First winter snow arrived today in Dalsland

click the pic to go to a short video

gg at sensus - 001

performing at Sensus Cafe, Centralbacken,Bengtsfors – Wednesday 2nd Nov

click on the pick to go to the VIDEO

Levanten–another excellent Middle East expose from 2 accomplished Swedish authors

Last night we journeyed to Åmål library where the authors of a new book about the Middle East were due to speak about the book.
These two authors have been journeying/studying/writing about the ME for over 17 years and have an intimate knowledge of the area.
Unfortunately one author, Stefan, didn’t quite make it as there were major train delays from Stockholm his point of departure.
Tomas, however, gave a most entertaining and knowledgable discourse about the area covered by this new exciting book.
I was totally astounded by the almost clinical objectivity of these 2 authors and of Tomas during his talk with us. To be able to observe and comment without colouring the comments with our own moralities/ethics/religions/politics is a considerable gift.
If you would like to understand the Middle East better without the questionable benefit of western nuance of interpretation, this is a book worth getting to know.
         

Sensus Cafe, Centralbacken, Bengtsfors,Dalsland,Sweden

Every few weeks there’s a performance with local talent and compered/encouraged by internationally know artist Dick Johansson

click the pic to go to the video

Best place to be a girl? Sweden

full ‘Save the Children’ report can be found here

Bengtsfors sunset–Dalsland 6 October 2016

New visitors today

click the pic for a short video

Competitive Sweden

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those autumn colours

Overlooking Vestre Silen lake in Dalsland

Walking tour completed last Sunday

The beauty of the night