February is traditionally the coldest month in Sweden. And it hasn’t disappointed us yet…
The weekend dawned bright and very cold. And when I say cold, I mean colder than – 25 C.
So, what do Vikings do during the winter ?
Well, they (by which I mean Sir Pe) fetch the newspaper in dressing gown and bare feet…
They (by which I mean me) spend a long, long time getting dressed.
Thermals on, three layers on the legs and a further five layers on the torso underneath that warm winter jacket.
Don’t forget the balaclava – winter’s must-have fashion accessory.
It goes nicely with icy hair and glasses!
Vikings (by which I mean me again) take their dogs out for long walks in the cold
Pausing for a few seconds to enjoy the scenery.
Eventually they stumble home
Because there is so much ice on the inside and outside of their glasses that they can hardly see a thing.
They warm up inside, ready to do it all over again at lunch time!
You don’t have to be crazy to enjoy a Viking winter – but it helps.
For more crazy tales, please visit: My World.
Hi Fi, Below zero here, too – I’m going to be a Viking like you today and go out cross country skiing. I don’t know how you managed to take your gloves off for those pictures – the sun shining on the icy tree is wonderful. I think Pi has a heated bathrobe – I see the cord at his freezing feet.
LikeLike
LOL! That cord goes to the car engine so that we can warm it up before we have to go anywhere!
LikeLike
Wow, you really have adapted! I have lived in Scandinavia (all together) 20 years and I am still freezing.;)
This was such a fun post.;) I guess I should stop complaining as here it is nowhere as cold as you have it, even though we are below zero.;)
xoxo
LikeLike
Being crazy is the only way to go if you ask me whether in Viking Land or not. Love you icy glasses 😉
LikeLike
Brr, brr brr! Pretty sure my feet would have frozen off 🙂 Fun pictures and that shot of the tree with the light shining through – beautiful!
LikeLike
So now I know. My ancestry can’t go back as far as the Vikings. Haven’t got the feet for it. Not only do I not go out barefoot, I also don’t go out without extra ice-creepers tied on.
LikeLike
We are finally getting spring temps! And I am thrilled with that.
LikeLike
That is too much for me! No Viking blood here. That´s crazy to go out for a walk in such FREEZING cold!!
LikeLike
Well, the dog had to go out so I had no choice…
LikeLike
BRRRR! I’d never make it, but I appreciate you braving the cold and sharing your photos.
LikeLike
Brrr… I would be the one taking a long time to dress and wearing multiple layers – I do that in the UK already.
My Swedish great-grandfather would be ashamed of me!
LikeLike
wow it froze your glasses…kinda glad you are a viking though to bring us the gorgeous pics…and i have walked barefoot in the snow so maybe i am 1/8 viking….
LikeLike
My, My, My. That sure looks cold. And one of those pics looks like of my relatives is a viking canine! I think I’ll stay where it’s warmer, however. I don’t have one of those balaclava things.
Sandy
http://www.sandysays1.wordpress.com
LikeLike
such amazing photos, my friend.
i wanted to stop over and thank you, for your kind words, when i needed them most.
xoxo
LikeLike
I’m jealous! I love the pictures and I love the cold and snowy winter, but my love for my wife prevents me anywhere that -25 degrees is even a remote possibility.
Ahhh the sacrifices we make for love.
LikeLike
Oh my gosh what a beautiful photo of the trees!!! I love that! And I bow down to your Viking spirit! It hasn’t been nearly cold enough here to freeze my glasses! And Sir Pe? Eeek! Now that is gutsy!!!
LikeLike
It looks very, very cold! I can’t believe the bare feet!
LikeLike
We do the same here!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
LikeLike
Oh, it does look SOOOO cold and it obviously is SOOOO cold! Terrific photos as always and, as always, I do love your sense of humor! Have a wonderful week!!
Sylvia
LikeLike
the photos are great, it brings home how very cold it is.
LikeLike
In my opinion you do have to be crazy to live in such cold! Oh MY! I do hope you have a warm fire to come home to! Having lived in Presque Isle, ME for 3 years I well remember all the layers and the cold and snow! Glad you can put a smiling face on and have a sense of humor about it! Amazed that the other viking hasn’t frozen his feet off! Thanks for your visit to my blog!
LikeLike
Wow, fantastic series of photos. Those feet have to be very cold.
LikeLike
I’m with you on the layers, plus maybe more. But I really wouldn’t want to go out at all.
LikeLike
Well now I’m freezing. Those bare feet! That’s just too much for me. Great photos.. you look utterly icy!
LikeLike
I have always thought that the Vikings were the most interesting people that invaded our country. I am sure I have Viking blood in my veins for I love Norway above all countries in the world, but…. I am not going to walk on bare foot in the snow!! No way!.LOL.
Your photos are a joy for my eyes, thank you!
LikeLike
Oh my G…osh! You are a good Viking and a great dog owner.
LikeLike
Makes me feel all nostalgic for home in Latvia. In those days we had no balaclavas but mother bundled us up and covered our faces with a woollen scarf until we looked like a rolley polley, warned us to stay clear of snow filled ditches and sent us out into the elements to o into battle with the neighbourhood children in snowball fights.
LikeLike
Fabulous photos, but the barefoot-in-the-snow picture made me shiver. My husband is out walking the dog now, and I don’t expect him to come back with frozen glasses, even though we have a lot of snow left here.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
LikeLike
Great winter shots and I enjoyed the narrative too.
LikeLike
that looks terribly cold but i enjoy all the shots.
LikeLike
I guess I should stop whining about -8, then, shouldn’t I? And perhaps foggy glasses aren’t that bad, either.
Brrrrrr!
PS I love your icy trees, furry friend, and cold-footed husband – but it’s only the last one I worry about. He must have very tough feet.
LikeLike
Icy hair? Cool! Ha..
Where can I can my hair done like that?!
Sverige Saloon? Perhaps! Ha…
LikeLike
You’re one brave viking! Bare feet on the snow? My goodness, I have chills just to think about that notion!
LikeLike
Beautiful, and I love the dog! I enjoy winter, although I’m glad it only goes below -25 C for a few nights where I live.
LikeLike
great way to chill!!
LikeLike
These are wonderful. I think winter was playing at departing but came back and gave us all a big hug. Looks like you are being embraced as well.
LikeLike
Your husband is insane! 😉
LikeLike
This is where a Chihuahua and a wee-wee pad come in handy. 😉
You are a hardy sole, my friend. I wouldn’t last a minute.
LikeLike
it’s great to finally meet a real Viking!p
-25…even in my dreams, i couldn’t imagine how cold it is! your dog is a lucky boy, he has a Viking for a master.:p
LikeLike
Well, actually – I’m the one who goes out in minus 25 C. My husband only dashes out to the postbox and back…
LikeLike
Your dog is lucky indeed! My dogs (when I had dogs, and I don’t right now) had a backyard and I didn’t and wouldn’t take them on walks if I were as cold as you have it! Yikes!!! I can barely get myself to function when we get -10 and it doesn’t happen often here! And forget the insanity of barefeet!!!
LikeLike
OMG, that is COLD!!!!!
LikeLike
I love these pictures, especially the one with you and Oscar. You two make even crazy seem fun.
LikeLike
Hi, ladyfi! February is the coldest month in Japan, too. For me, freezing point means “cold.” I know my winter is much milder than yours. Likewise the viking, some people practice “kendo”, or Japanese fencing, bare feet in the early morning, not on the snow but on the wooden floor.
I wonder if the warm breath of his dog would be effective on icy glasses?
LikeLike
Those icy glasses are mine… My husband only went out for 20 seconds to the postbox…
LikeLike
Don’t they make Dame Edna windshield wiper glasses. A new trend I thought. Lovely. You have to see my video of a California beach today, just to warm you up (and make you jealous.)
LikeLike
Haha yup! This Viking was out in her slippers and pjs assisting an urgent trip to the yard before she’d even had a chance to get her contacts in!
LikeLike
Hi – thats cold! We have had a cool summer, otherwise I would send a 100+ degree day just for the comtrast!
Cheers – Stewart M – Australia
LikeLike
Oh my gosh, I could never walk barefoot in the snow! My feet would be ice afterward, especially with all the cracks already there. 🙂
LikeLike
Okay, you win. That’s cold.
LikeLike
Wonderful shots, very cold.
LikeLike
I feel so cold just looking at the pictures.
The first one made me raise my feet up. 🙂
LikeLike
This is odd… I used to play in the snow in the buff as a child, after some time in a sauna. And I could see myself getting the paper in bare feet over snow, for 20 seconds, like your mate… But I already wear seven layers when it’s +7C, so NO WAY I’d be out there more than 20 seconds, no matter how bundled. And that is why I live here and you live there! 😀 I enjoy the wintry photos, though!
LikeLike
Wow
I am not gonna complain about the cold in New York
LikeLike
Brrr!! Better to have ice on your glasses than in your eyes. How about goggles?
LikeLike
Here in england it always seems to be quite mild.
I guess that’s the gulf stream talking. lol
LikeLike
belle serie, avec une preference pour celle avec le chien 🙂
Remember, Every Friday, The Challenge “Walk In The Street Photography”
LikeLike
He’s hardcore to go barefoot!
LikeLike
Do you have to have a special camera to withstand the cold? When we had our cold week here last month my camera started acting funny after being out too long.
LikeLike
No, I use my normal camera but it can’t be outside for too long. It reacts more slowly, but otherwise OK… for short periods anyway!
LikeLike
Oh, my….brrrr. Oh my, brrrrr.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
LikeLike
· From what I see is the same as in Spain. February and March are the coldest months. In my city we can reach 8 degrees above zero! The Vikings would be very happy.
· greetings
CR & LMA
________________________________
·
LikeLike
great post, ladyfy! I really enjoyed it. 🙂
Wonderful photos as usual.
LikeLike
The first photo gives me a heart attack! When I lived in Sweden, I tried to have shorter summer break and compensate with relatively longer off during the coldest season (February)… I hope the Vikings don’t swim as your dog did!
LikeLike
Thanks for taking me on a virtual tour where I have never been for real,ghee I’d love to have a similar experience for real!
LikeLike
beautiful series, very very cold
LikeLike
That third shot is just stunning!
LikeLike
Long live Vikings!
LikeLike
I always thought the Viking headed off because they liked raping a pillaging. They were really looking for somewhere warm!
LikeLike
When do ya’ll get spring?
LikeLike
Bare feet? Bare feet!!!!???? What is he thinking!
I’ve never been in cold that froze my glasses! I can’t even imagine! Stay warm!
LikeLike
I will remember your husband next winter – when my wife complains about me floating around barefoot.
Mind you, winter in Auckland, NZ is down to 13C. REAL chilly!!! 😉
Oh, and the tree!!! I am reduced to taking photos of water…
LikeLike
Think SUMMER!
LikeLike
My 18yo son must be a Viking; he goes outside in his bare feet in the snow. (And he *is* part Swedish!)
LikeLike
Incredibly lovely photos!
Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.
LikeLike
Brrrrr. It looks very chilly where you are!
LikeLike
I’ve been away working on various projects the last days, only to come back and see all your wonderful photos. They are fantastic.
Made up a peace lily collage yesterday and today. I think it is one of my favourites. Hope you like it.
LikeLike
Cool photos..I don’t miss my glasses doing that..love your hat..looks warm to me..even if the rest of you looks cold. Goodness sakes it is a good thing Sir Pe didn’t marry your sister:)
LikeLike
I don’t think I’d be Viking brave enough to walk in the snow barefoot!
I have the same trouble with my glasses. They always get covered with frost and fog unless I use a light coating of dilute liquid soap on them, as we do for ski goggles. That seems to keep them frost and fog free.
LikeLike
This blog made me remind Mads that Herning is the FARTHEST NORTH he can move me!! LOL
LikeLike
I’m glad to see I am not the only one that will walk barefoot in snow, you have a great blog.
LikeLike
Really, it’s no big deal going out barefoot when it’s -25°C – as long as one doesn’t overdo it. The time it takes to walk to the postbox and back (about 20 seconds or so) isn’t long enough for the cold to make its way through the thick skin on the soles of my feet 😉
LikeLike