The other day we were on an excursion on Alvaret on Öland and looked at all the beautiful orchids that bloom now in May. With us on the excursion we had this book that just came out about Öland's orchids, in the hope of recognizing some different species. On the one hand, it was fun for the girls to find orchids from the book out on Alvaret, and they needed a repetition of what they had learned in school about the orchids here on the island.
We started our excursion up at Galleri Tinnert which is located right next to Arontorps Kroppkakor, which by the way has just opened up a drive-in.
Emma Tinnert has painted all the orchids in the book, which was written by Henrik Karlsson. I got to know Emma in the waiting room at the children's dance class, and had no idea that she could paint this beautifully. Here she shows us which orchids are blooming right now. The book also has a great chart that shows which orchids you can expect to see in which month.
When we stopped by to buy the book, she was framing prints of the originals for the ongoing exhibition at the gallery. Here we have the orchids Adam and Eve, and we found them!
With the book under one arm and the dog under the other, we then set off on our orchid trip. There are many places to look at orchids out on the Öland Alvar, from north to south. We stopped at two places on our excursion, and it was along the road just above Eriksöre and on Möckelmossen at Resmo. The other day I was also at Jordtorpsåsen near Algutsrum and saw many nice orchids.
Here we can happily state that we have found St. Peter's keys. And Solvända, Öland's provincial flower!
There was a lot of vegetation to look at, and the great thing is that both orchids and other flowers grow all summer on Alvaret, and not just now. This beautiful purple-blue flower is called mountain crab.
It's so beautiful when the orchids spread out over the Alvar like thick, purple carpets. Look but don't pick! The orchids on Öland are protected.
After looking at orchids, we had a coffee craving, and went further down the island to Mörbylånga and Café Söderbönor where May-Anita's bestsellers are the sugar buns and the Budapest pastry. May-Anita is passionate about keeping the Öland countryside alive, and is open every day of the week. Four-legged friends are also welcome here. Bally got water, but looked longingly at the pastry that his stingy mom didn't share.
A freshly baked Budapest roll with really fresh, freshly whipped cream, and then a nice cappuccino to it. Wonderful!
On the way back home, we stopped at Resmo Krukmakeri , which Karin and Ulf have run since 1983.
I have been here many times, and always find something that I think I need.
Like a cake platter for the strawberry cake on Midsummer's Eve, for example.
The girls were fascinated by all the nice things. On the way home, one child wanted to know exactly how to make a jug, and the other wanted to look at the rapeseed and count sheep. A really lovely day! One that you can't have too many of.
Helena Elm, May 2020
