Rowing with God
“Look! It’s God!” the kids burst out as we rounded the corner into the sunlight and ran excitedly past the two 1,000-year-old rune stones.
I peered closely. I could see an older bearded man with sackcloth clothes, and a bowl and spoon chiselled out of wood by hand hanging from his homemade belt.
“No! Over there!” shouted the kids and pointed at a man in a sackcloth dress and bare legs.
A Viking boat full of passengers
We had come upon one of the many events celebrating the Vikings in our little corner of the world. The two men in dresses were, in fact, dressed as Vikings and they offered interested spectators a ride in one of their Viking boats. (Actually, these are copies of a thousand-year-old Viking boat that has been preserved in one of Sweden’s museums.)
My two kids, one of their friends and I clambered rather awkwardly into the boat. Everyone was set to work – even the kids – and we had to row out onto the lake using the very large, heavy, hand-carved oars. It was hard work! Finally, the cloth sail caught the wind and away we sailed on the glittering water.
We were the last ride of the afternoon. With tired arms and a happy heart, we waved good-bye to the two Vikings as they sailed off into the setting sun – satisfied that we had had a little taste of history that sunny afternoon.
For other views of the world, please visit: That’s My World!
You really live in the coolest place.
September 15, 2009 at 05:20
That is so terrific! And, yes, you really do live in the coolest place! How fun! Thanks for taking us along. Great shots!
Have a great week!
Sylvia
September 15, 2009 at 05:36
That must have been such an incredible experience. And I loved how the kid shouted “That’s God” – life is so simple when you are a kid!
September 15, 2009 at 06:10
Great history! Comes to life when you get to taste it the way you all did. Lovely day!
September 15, 2009 at 06:33
Quite interesting.
Sydney – City and Suburbs
September 15, 2009 at 06:38
That is real fun and a terrific place to relax.
September 15, 2009 at 06:48
that sure must have been fun!
September 15, 2009 at 07:57
What a good mommy you are sharing such interesting experiences like that with your kids…and I thought it was so cute and totally kid like to yell, “there is God!” I love kids…
September 15, 2009 at 08:12
I see the boats, but I don’t see any vikings. Aren’t you supposed to be wearing the funny hats with horns? And running ashore and flinging a maiden over your shoulder? This is too peaceful for vikings – lovely scenery and photos.
P.S. Love your dog Oscar.
September 15, 2009 at 09:02
But you should tell them that God’s actually ever-youthful and the most beautiful person physically, in every way….not this old man nonsense that has been pushed around for centuries, made up by…er….who, exactly?
September 15, 2009 at 09:06
I agree. The kids were pointing at a very handsome and very young man with lots of brown curls… so they are definitely on the right track!
September 15, 2009 at 09:10
What a wonderful experience! We had a replica Viking longship visit Dublin last year and it was a fantastic experience for the kids to be able to go into the museum yard here and visit the longship and talk to the ‘vikings’ – great lads who were full of interesting facts and information. Bringing history alive as you say!
September 15, 2009 at 09:14
That really did look like Jesus and his disciples, rowing in the boat.
What a great experience for your kids!
September 15, 2009 at 09:20
That sounds like a wonderful trip out!! I love the fact that the kids thought the Vikings were god….hehehehe
C x
September 15, 2009 at 09:59
Rowing in a boat with the Vikings, what a great time to spend!
September 15, 2009 at 10:08
I now your country is BEAUTIFUL
Amazing shots all !!
September 15, 2009 at 10:09
How awsome for you and your kids!
September 15, 2009 at 10:44
I didn’t know God wore burlap. If I were God I would wear something softer like organic cotten.
September 15, 2009 at 11:20
Amazing!
At first I thought I was looking at a similar picture from my son’s illustrated Bible Storybook. I so enjoyed looking at these. A taste of history is always wonderful.
September 15, 2009 at 12:28
I’m not sure which part of the UK you hail from but I bet there were no Viking replica boats sailing on the local lake
September 15, 2009 at 12:39
I’m an expat Brit living just outside Stockholm in Sweden!
September 15, 2009 at 12:40
What a cool post and photos! I really enjoyed your blog entry.
Thank you for sharing.
September 15, 2009 at 14:20
Hi
What a pleasure to read about your experience on the viking boat. It really touched my heart that they, in their spontaneous innocence, saw God at the boat. Wow, your kids are truly blessed to grow up in Sweden and with such precious parents!
Big hug
Marita
September 15, 2009 at 15:23
Bigs hugs to you too! Isn’t it wonderful how kids can see god everywhere?
September 15, 2009 at 15:27
One would think that God could have made the wind come up a bit more quickly and saved you the rowing.
Should I ever come to visit you, I will promise to stay ashore and take lots of pix while you all use those heavy, blister-causing oars.
September 15, 2009 at 15:38
That’s neat! You truly live in a wonderful place and I love how your kids think.
September 15, 2009 at 16:34
How interesting! That sounds like fun.
September 15, 2009 at 16:43
Great ancedote – but if I went in a boat with god, I wouldn’t expect to have to row.
September 15, 2009 at 19:03
Hehe I never though of God looking like a Viking! I would love to sail in a Viking boat, what fun.
September 15, 2009 at 19:39
Oh now THAT would be cool! I would love to sail in a Viking boat, especially with all the other Viking stuff we’ve done.
And I think Peter would agree that God looks like a Viking. Ha!
September 15, 2009 at 19:47
What a wonderfully fun thing to experience.
September 15, 2009 at 21:34
how fun was that? This is the kind of stuff I would love to do
September 15, 2009 at 23:27
Love this. How could I not be drawn in by people who saw God ?
September 16, 2009 at 01:09
Gosh you have some neat experiences … in what seems to be a story book land … and hanging out with God!
September 16, 2009 at 02:29
where else could one find Jesus, a Viking and a boat on a beautiful afternoon but Sweden! sounds adventurous!
September 16, 2009 at 03:20
What a lovely thing to be doing!
September 16, 2009 at 05:48
Interesting history..thanks for sharing.
Have a wonderful day.
September 16, 2009 at 06:22
can I come stay with you?!?!?
)
September 16, 2009 at 07:58
Of course! Book yourselves some tickets…
September 16, 2009 at 08:06
What a fun thing to see. Its always interesting to hear about celebrations in other parts of the world
September 16, 2009 at 17:34
Does look a little god-like
I LOVE where you live!
September 16, 2009 at 17:42
awesome pics…what a neat experience for your kiddos.
September 16, 2009 at 18:34
What a wonderful experience..God Is everywhere..we just have to be watching!!
September 16, 2009 at 19:52
The lake an weather still looks nice and warm. Perhaps summer is lasting a little longer this year?
September 17, 2009 at 05:04
It is just amazing to know that you guys had ride one of the historical ways. Cool
September 18, 2009 at 11:13
What a cool way to spend some time!
September 19, 2009 at 13:58
Oh, those Vikings! Great images. What fun. Neat that the kids thought of Jesus. I guess technology was about the same for a lot of years.
September 20, 2009 at 01:19
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