Last times post about woodpeckers got me thinking about the story of Picus and Circe. It’s part of The Metamorphoses the great work of the Roman poet Ovid. In fifteen volumes it is one of the great works of classical mythology. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was obviously inspired by it’s tale of Pyramus and Thisbe. The same Pyramus and Thisbe performed by the troupe of guildsmen for the Duke of Athens in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Here is my take on the story of Picus and Circe. The tale is told by one of Odysseus’s men

This week I’ve been able to update the bird table list. It’s been months since we’ve seen anything new here at Alledal. This week two woodpeckers have been seen here at Alledal. It seems Swedish Woodpeckers are like buses, you wait two years for one to come along and then two come at once.

I don’t doubt that all countries have their own dreaded delicacies – insects, strange entrails and pieces of meat in various stages of decay. Here in Sweden it is the notorious sour herring [Surströmming]

As the Swedish summer holidays draws to a close, and the balmy nights, almost Mediterranean in character, are filled with the sounds of Swedes having crayfish Parties.