The other day we went on a trip to Alvaret on Öland and looked at all the beautiful orchids that are blooming now in May. With us on the trip we had this book that had just come out about Öland's orchids, in the hope of recognizing some different species. It was fun for the girls to find orchids from the book out on Alvaret, and we ourselves needed a refresher on what we had learned in school about the orchids here on the island.
We started our excursion up at Gallery Tinnert which is located right next to Arontorps Kroppkakor, which incidentally has just opened a drive-in.
Emma Tinnert has painted all the orchids in the book, which was written by Henrik Karlsson. I met Emma in the waiting room at the children's dance class, and had no idea she could paint so beautifully. Here she shows us which orchids are blooming right now. The book also has a great chart showing 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 tour. There are many places to look at orchids out on the Öland Alvaret, from north to south. We stopped at two places on our excursion, and it was along the road just above Eriksöre and at Möckelmossen near Resmo. The other day I was also at Jordtorpsåsen near Algutsrum and saw many beautiful orchids.
Here we can happily state that we have found the keys of Saint Pers. And Solvända, Öland's national flower!
There was a lot of vegetation to look at, and the great thing is that orchids and other flowers grow all summer long at Alvaret, and not just now. This beautiful purple-blue flower is called mountain crab.
It's so beautiful when the orchids spread out over Alvaret like thick, purple carpets. Look but don't pick! The orchids on Öland are protected.
After looking at orchids, we were craving coffee, 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 mother did not share.
A freshly baked Budapest roll with really fresh, freshly whipped cream, and then a nice cappuccino to go with it. Wonderful!
On the way back home we stopped at Resmo Pottery which Karin and Ulf have run since 1983.
I have been here many times, and I always find something that I think I need.
As a cake plate for strawberry cake on Midsummer Eve, for example.
The girls were fascinated by all the beautiful 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 truly wonderful day! One that you can't have too many of.
// Helena Elm, May 2020
