Nydala Lake

Hello again!

We are pretty lucky here in Umeå...not only are we very close to the Baltic sea, we have our very own lake too! Actually one of the main reasons I chose to live in Mariehem is that I was hoping I would have a view of the lake from my apartment...and I do! Most of the occasions I saw the northern lights, I was standing on my balcony or at the kitchen window.

I’m not sure why but the northern lights usually appear over the lake. The first time I saw them me and my friend were watching t.v and suddenly out of the corner of his eye he spotted something green out of the kitchen window. We jumped up instantly, banged on all of our friend’s doors like a pair of lunatics and we all ran down to the lake together. I’ll never forget that night. It was the middle of November and we stood in the middle of the frozen lake for the very first time silent and awestruck just staring at the sky for an hour. Shooting stars were ten a minute and we couldn’t believe our eyes. It wasn’t until my hand started to fall off that I decided I better head home!

What you should know is that the shows only last for maybe half an hour/ 1 hour max. If you notice in the late afternoon/early evening that the sky is exceptionally clear and you can see the stars really well, it is a good chance northern lights are on the cards. You can check the forecast at: http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/2011/04/14/3 . You will be in for a treat. I have heard from those who went on the trips to Lapland (organized by Scanbalt: http://www.scanbaltexperience.com/index.asp?action=dest&destid=51&intOpenID=19&catid=51&intOpenID2=51)  that the northern lights were particularly bright when they went. Of course luck does play a part, and seeing them is always not a guarantee.

During the winter the lake is an excellent place to spend a day having good old fashioned winter fun! Think ice fishing, cross country skiing, igloo building, snowball fighting etc.  It is always extra cold there however so do wrap up and bring some food and a thermos of something hot and delicious if you want to enjoy the day!

During the warmer months most people flock to the lake for barbeques. So many barbeques take place here it’s wonderful. In typical Swedish fashion there are public barbeque spots dotted around the lake perimeter. There you can find benches laid out along with a fireplace and to top it all off a shed stocked with firewood just begging to be used.  We usually grab a few beers/a box of wine, some meat and maybe some marshmallows and make an evening of it. 

Feeding (not scaring) the ducks is a must do. They are so friendly and curious..make friends with them! If like me...you really like feeding ducks there is a little pond just behind the helicopter pad at the hospital where they all flock to when it gets cold. You can feed a couple of hundred ducks at once..it’s simply fantastic!

There is also a place we call ‘the beach’. For those of you who hail from countries with real beaches you will laugh scornfully when you see it. It’s a tiny beach but we love it. It also has a playground which never fails to amuse us.

For keen joggers out there, the lake is a popular spot to run around as the views are often breathtaking. The sun sets on the lake every day and it’s as beautiful as they come.

Thats all from me today...hope you have a lovely Wednesday,

Louise J :)