Summer 2018, unseasonably hot weather & forest fires.

Summer 2018 was a memorable summer at Munch's Hideaway for reasons that somewhat restricted our summer activities & gave us more than a few worries. Sweden was suffering from some enormous forest fires in Halsingland, Jamtland & Darlana caused by a prolonged period of drought & hot weather. The forests were tinder dry & communities close to the fires were at the mercy of the changing winds. Luckily the fires stayed some distance from Munch's Hideaway but it did cause us sufficient concern that we didn't remove the roof-box from the car for the whole period we were in Sweden in case we had to make a quick dash for safety!

As it was, we remained safe & the drought only restricted our campfire cooking & made fly-fishing for trout in the lakes pretty much pointless.

The weather & distant fires did give us some interestingly coloured sunset skies

& Murphy enjoyed quite a few swims to cool off!

Swedes do find some odd places to leave a boat......

& Sarah found some Rasberries to pick close to Simmesjon.

In August Sweden lifted the restriction on BBQs as long as you were in your garden & had water to hand. We ran a hose pipe to the fire-pit/BBQ as soon as we heard as Sarah had been having outdoor cooking withdrawl!

Not many Moose sightings this year but we managed to get this shot of a pair in the half-light on the way to Simmesjon.

We also had a visit from this Roe Deer in the field behind Munch's Hideaway.

It was still hot well into August although Murphy doesn't need an excuse to swim....

& we found shrubby Juniper growing wild by the lake.

Eventually the restrictions on camp-fires in your garden were lifted &, along with the now requisite hose-pipe Sarah was truly happy (although Murphy prefers the lake)!

We took a trip to Jarvzoo before we left Munch's Hideaway to come back to the UK. Both the wolves & the bears were quite obliging & photogenic!

North of the border......

……..up Lairg-in-March way!

I turned fifty this year, St. Patrick's Day to be precise so Sarah, Murphy & I celebrated (or commiserated) with two weeks in the Highlands researching potential places for our retirement staying in a lovely cottage overlooking the Kyle of Sutherland.

We ate like kings & queens. Sarah surpassed herself yet again, we ate (Roe)Venison two different ways, some amazing steaks & lots of Haggis for breakfast!

We had a few trips out too...….

Loch Shin looked fantastic with snow on the mountains in the distance...….

…..& Murphy loved the beach at Achmelvich Bay close to Lochinver.

On the way back to Lochinver we spotted this deer in a small lochan right next to the road.....

…...& then a couple of stags enjoying the sun.

Another day, another loch...….

…...& then on to John O' Groats!

Trout & About!

Last fishing trip of 2017 saw me float tubing one evening on Lillsjon which is a lake to the east of the Ljusnan close to Arbra

This lovely Rainbow Trout took a mini muddler off the surface as the fly landed amongst some small reeds

Having promised Mrs Labrador smoked trout for ages I couldn't disappoint her & the trout didn't disappoint either after a short spell in the hot smoker!

.......and finally, a gratuitous arty shot of a duck on Lillsjon!

Well it's about time for a cooking post...........

Summer 2017 at Munch's Hideaway was unashamedly all about food, well food cooked outdoors on our own evolving fire-pit.

Our first meal was cooked on the ground level fire-pit but we had designs on a minor change that proved to be a major improvement........

A raised gravel bed which means the fire-pit is now level & it reduces the occurrence of back-ache!

Obligatory arty-farty fire shot!

Chef Sarah & Murphy making mayhem!

Another meal, another location, grill-a-korv by a local lake

The best way to cook a steak......

.....& counterfeit cassoulet in cast iron!

And finally, not forgetting steak, vegetables & a wild mushroom & stilton sauce.

The Sun kept shining......

2016 saw us back at Munch's Hideaway with the best Summer weather we've ever had, only a few days with any rain at all & mostly warm & sunny!

Simmesjon was generous again (I don't know why I try other lakes) with plenty of Perch & this lovely Brown Trout taking flies.

Murphy had a great time too....

.....& of course Mrs Munch picked about a hundred-weight of wild berries to make into jam & cordial.

Because the weather was so good we cooked al-fresco on lots of occasions..

I did try to catch a few fish in other lakes such as this one a little north of Ljusdal although I only managed to catch a couple of small Perch.

Unlike a lot of previous summers the moose safaris proved very fruitful sometimes seeing six or seven moose in one evening (can you spot this one in the mist).

 The Murikka pan came out to play this summer......

....& I even got to grips with some plumbing fitting a new wash basin in the bathroom!

Another gratuitous moose pic....

This was a traditional Swedish Forest food, Kolbulle which is pieces of fatty pork fried into a pancake (made with a water batter) & served with Lingon Syllt (jam).

The sunsets were amazing, this is a photo of the Wind Farm that have been built close to Simmesjon.

....& finally just to show that Murphy hasn't given up swimming!

Whitsun fun with Mandie & Mark!

Just back from a short trip to Munch's Hideaway with Sarah's oldest friend Mandie & her husband Mark.

A trip to Green Lake, Albertina's Restaurant & Kramstatjarn although, alas, no trout!

Finally, an atmospheric shot of the new windmills close to Simmesjon.

We're back!

Well, what can I say.
It's been a long time since I last posted anything on here (about three years I think) so I thought it was about time I did!
We've been married twenty five years this year so we decided to go all out & have three months at Munch's Hideaway fishing, eating & (for Mrs Labrador) jam making.
We also started with lots of good intentions to get fit, the NHS Couch to 5K running program beckoned until I fell by the wayside with shin splints after the third outing & Mrs Labrador ended up like this after her fourth!

 

Lots of campfire cooking resulted in some amazing meals, here,

 

 

here

 

 

 

& in the garden too!

 

The most spectacular location for "grill-a-korv" was by an abandoned ski slope with a view to die for!

 

 

At night the view was equally breathtaking.

 

 

Had a few trips out fishing, this is the view from my float-tube on Valasjon...

 

 

& here's the best fish of the trip caught by none other than Elizabeth Mallett!

 

I also found this abandoned cabin close to one of the lakes I visited.....

 

 

It was Mrs Labrador's birthday whilst we were there & she had her heart set on a picnic table. So, I borrowed a chop saw, bought a load of timber & made this for her!

 

 

Lots of visitors this trip.

Victoria & Elizabeth Mallett joined us for a week then we had my sister & brother-in-law, Debbie & Mike visit (huge thanks to Mike who sorted a problem with the electrics).

 

Debbie really took to berry picking in the forest........

 

 

as did Mrs Labrador now her knee was better!

 

Rasberry picking in the garden, all of this resulted in a mountain of home made jam!

 

 

There is a story behind this picture, Mrs Labrador likes being photographed by giant "things". In Minnesota it was a giant Paul Bunyan, here in Sweden it's the world's biggest knife!

 

 

The one good thing that came out of Mrs Labrador's injury & subsequent recuperation was that I had no excuse not to paint the outside of Munch's Hideaway in shiny Stugrod paint.

 

 

And finally for all of Murphy's fans out there in internet land......