An invitation to teach in Sweden was received by Kath and Karen shortly after the World Show held in June 2010, but as their schedules were so busy, it had taken time to find a weekend when they would be available.
Leaving home at 7:30am on the Friday the duo travelled to Birmingham Airport for the 50 minute KLM flight to Amsterdam where a connexion would be made to fly the 1 hour 50 min KLM flight to Linköping in Sweden. It was all going so well until there was a delay on the first flight due to storms in Holland the previous night. Kath and Karen arrived in Schiphol airport to be told they would make the connexion - however, after running what seemed like 2 miles and passing through security where they were once again held up - the pair arrived just as the gate had closed.
Happily the next flight to Linköping would have room for them both but sadly it wasn't due to leave until 20:30 giving them over 6 hours waiting in the Airport. Texts were sent to Yvonne in Sweden apologising as they should have been attending the largest HTM Competition in Sweden that afternoon.
Thankfully, the flight left Holland and arrived in Sweden on time, however, no luggage arrived with them. After registering a complaint and giving details of the lost luggage, the pair were taken to the beautiful Scandic Hotel with an Emergency Pack given to them by the airport Customer Services. Arriving at the hotel at 23:30 and then having to wash their travel cloths in readiness for Saturday's Training Session! Not easy but .................................................
They found a "Sock Dryer" and iron to help persuade the clothes to dry!! The cases were eventually delivered at 18:15 on the Saturday!
The hotel was perfect - very quiet and with beautiful views from the bedroom window.
This was an area for early morning dog walkers and many "power walkers" in the dull but dry weather.
The training venue was a good sized Youth Club with some nice training areas outside.
This is where the competition had been held the previous day.
The 44 delegates on the seminar were split into group in the latter part of the afternoon as there was so much useable space.
Lots of breeds attended - Dachshund, Boston Terrier, Pug, Hungarian Pumi etc etc.........
Team and Group Work is always good to set.
And everyone found some special move for the dogs involved.
However - one group concentrated so much on the handlers - it seems they forgot to include their dogs!!!
Precision timing and good patterns on the floor for audience appeal.
On the Sunday afternoon, the group gathered for a photo -
- it had started to rain heavily outside so picture quality wasn't good but still a nice memento of the weekend.
The next day was set aside for sightseeing - Yvonne took the duo to Old Linköping - a small "village" of original very old buildings and shops which was preserved to show some of Sweden's history.
Some buildings are the originals whereas others had been brought in from surrounding areas.
Everything was well maintained and all the shops were open for trade!
Yvonne explained how the Freestylers use this "arena" for their under cover winter practice!! Kath and Karen suggested it was a stage fit for a competition!!
Can you spot the "OMO", "4711" and LUX soap?
Monica and Torbjörn joined Karen and Kath on their visit to the Old Linköping.
One of the shops had some really unique carvings on display and for sale.
The pictures on the wall were of a dark wood background - the lighter coloured wood was then placed on top, about an centimetre apart after it had been etched and carved out to reveal very famous faces.
The two trainers were then taken to the "new" Linköping - this is the magnificent cathedral.
The beautiful "Tree Of Life" made of silver, gold and glass, "planted" in the cathedral. At the top of this tree is a dove symbolising peace. There are also nine different kinds of fruit on the tree representing different virtues (such as patience, love, humility and kindness).
Photo call outside the cathedral - the red shoes are a must have for HTM!!!
A strange sculpture in the Main Square. Folke Filbyter is the horseman. The statue is from 1927 depicting him searching for his (allegedly, Verner von Heidenstam wrote about this in 1903) kidnapped grandson. Folke Filbyter is thought to be the first in line the Folkunga family, central in the history of this region and also with royal lines.
Our guides seemed to believe "Dancing Dogs" started in Linköping many years ago!! They seem to have proof too!
Time to leave Sweden. This was the duo's return transport to Holland at Linköping Airport - not the busiest airport they have ever travelled to but thank goodness sufficient flights from Amsterdam to re unite Kath and Karen with their luggage before they departed.
Many thanks to Yvonne for organising the visit, to Rolf for ensuring the equipment was working for the presentations and to everyone who attended the Seminars.
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