Oh, there you are winter!

Just when we thought that winter was never 

going to come to Gothenburg this year... 

it went and did this last week! 

Now it's getting much colder like -10 or so!! 

(I know that's not much to you Swedes, 

but my natural temperature range is somewhere between 0 and plus 30, on extremes) 

Sweden has a slightly different way of determining when it is a new season. 

It has something to do with the temperature being under or over a certain amount,

for a certain number of days in a row. 

The official change of season is also localized to the different areas of Sweden. 

This is unlike New Zealand where the seasons can quite happily blur in to each other,

so a set date seems to be the way to go.

The sudden snow-slush-ice has turned the city in to a giant ice skating rink/sandpit,

but has also brought some amusing little tricks to my attention...

You know that silvery thing that is somewhere under the passenger seat, 

or is it under the back seat, or somewhere in the boot? 

Well anyway, that thing that doesn't quite stay in place

or keep the heat out on a hot day...

Well apparently you can use it to keep the cold out, or the heat in, 

or at least make the de-icing of the windscreen a bit easier! 

I also came across a row of parked cars, and was sure that some sneaky person thought it must've been hilarious to make all the windscreen wipers stand on end on their way home from a night out.

But on second thoughts, it must also be an anti snow/ice trick!

I don't really mind the snow (more like slush and ice in Gothenburg but oh well)

At least it brightens up  the -still quite short- days.

However, one major downside is having a very visible indication 

of just how many dogs have been taken for a walk in the last couple of days! ewww...

*Ok, think of something nice to finish off this slightly odd blog post Polly!*

Well, my new job at Ikea is already giving great rewards! 

I've met lots of friendly people, and even been given another department to work in. 

The best thing so far has to be this wonderful picture 

from one of the kids in the play room. 

That's a better horse than I can draw!