We take regional accents for granted in the UK. Of course, they occur worldwide, but as a visiting Brit, they’re more or less impossible to detect.
To Mr S, who only went through the motions of learning a second language at school, these shared Scandinavian Old Norse ‘regional’ sounds seem unreal. Surely they’re not proper words, just a load of gobbledygook nonsensical utterances? Quite a mystery as to how they seem to be able to understand each other. Amusingly, every now and then, an English word gets thrown into the melting pot. Fortunately, it’s not the word ‘like’.
To the untrained ear, you could be forgiven for thinking Danish and Swedish are virtually the same language. However, if you listen very carefully . . . the Danes seem to chew on their words, half-choke on them, then spit them out in disgust, like a piece of unwanted gristle, that’s spent far too long in their mouth. Swedes, on the other hand, breath out their words in huffing, puffing chains of low, then high notes. As if they’re a singer methodically warming-up their vocal chords before an important performance; somehow always managing to end each sentence with a questioning mini-exclamation, just to exaggerate their point.
Fortunately, our untrained mouths and ears have absolutely no problem communicating easily with either Dane, or Swede. They all understand and speak English better than the average Brummie . . .
Our two night stay at Mora-Lite Camping is perfectly positioned close to Mora. It’s home to Sweden’s most famous painter – Anders Zorn. We go visit his legacy. Left by him and his wife to the Swedish Nation.
Of his time, his considerable talent earned him a fortune. Royalty, famous and wealthy, from home and abroad sought him out. Willing to pay virtually any price for a portrait.
Inside the gallery, Mrs S is in her element. Eyes mesmerised. Inches from each masterpiece. Follows the lines of each brush stroke with awe. Mr S is not far behind . . .
Three hours of pleasure get interrupted by a different type of masterpiece. We rediscover the virtuosity of the Scandi open sarni. This one entitled “Pulled pork on Rye”
We’re based in the heart of Dalarna region, staying within swimming distance of Lake Siljan, Sweden’s seventh largest. Beastie canters a little way south to the small town of Nusnäs – home to another worldwide favourite – the Dala horse. Created in 1928 by brothers Nils and Jannes Olsson.
Elias, a family member and shareholder in the business, demonstrates his dexterity. His personal record is 2,760 in one day. Apart from on-site orders, they ship worldwide, with demand highest from the Asian and US markets. At the end of his demo he hands Mrs S a free gift for grandson Jason – something to paint when he’s a little older.
Local villager Stephan has been working in the business since 1986. The speed and accuracy of his work is astounding. Even while we ply him with questions.