DAY 144 - Biking & Wagner Opera at Dalhalla

Aug 10 - What a day this has been!

We rode our bikes a lot today as we wanted to go to Karl Tövåsens Fäbod - Summer Farm.  It was about 8 miles one way.  On the way we went to a shoppe that had so much beautiful pottery.  We saw the kiln where they make it and looked around at all the amazing pieces.

 

On to the summer farm.  Along the way were sheep and plenty of cows.

I met up with the famous face of Karl Tövåsens Fäbod.  Her photo is everywhere.

 We saw several people along the way trying to herd some cows who had gotten away.

We're here - such a cute little farm

 The farm consists of five cottages and three barns, stables, outhouses, and a dairy where butter is churned and milk separated.

We enjoyed the variety of farm animals - here are some goats.

These cute pigs would NOT wake up, no matter what we did.

 

I stuck my head into one of the stables.

Very friendly and he loves dandelions.

Some wild and crazy hens

A very furry rabbit

Some more farm animals

They had one of the cabins all furnished with 1700's motif

 Back on our bikes up and down the hills back to Rattvik.  Along the way - more cows and raspberry bushes.

I think this one is headed right towards me.

We arrived back at Annette & Thomas' farm

 Thomas made some delicious "creme brulet."  It's my favorite dessert - I was in Heaven!

Annette had somehow gotten tickets to the premier opening of Wagner's Opera, "Das Rheingold" at the famous Dalhalla Ampitheatre.

We met with them before the opera.  Thomas didn't go with us.

A little history about the types of rocks that are everywhere throughout this area.

 Siljan Lake is located around the southwestern perimeter of theSiljan Ring, a circular geological formation which was formed 377 million years ago in  by a major meteorite impact. The original crater, now mostly eroded, is estimated to have been about 52 km (32 mi) in diameter and is the largest known impact crater in all of Europe.

These types of rocks were found throughout the area.

 Dalhalla is an amphitheatre located in a former limestone quarry, and is used as a summer music venue.

 The quarry is 60 metres deep, 400 metres long and 175 metres wide. The open air theater was opened in 1995 and currently has 4000 seats. The acoustical qualities are comparable to the best outdoor stages in Europe.

The acoustics are supposed to be superb.  Can't wait.!!

We had VIP passes for food before the show.

 The water around the stage was used throughout the show.  It was so fun and even Rich enjoyed it.

 It rained for a few minutes, but after that, it was a beautiful evening for a fantastic opera evening.

I will never forget this amazing evening.  So many people are going to be jealous back home that I was able to go to this great event.  The venue was unsurpassed and I truly want to thank my lovely cousin, Annette.