Tantolunden May 2024

This is quite a large park near Årstaviken on the island of Sõdermalm. It’s not too far from the Hornstull metro station. It seems like quite a lovely and popular places for walking, picnicking, swimming, and there’s also many allotment gardens and garden sheds.

I first found myself in Tantolunden completely by accident. I think I wrote about it in this blog previously – but essentially I was walking off some jet lag and it also happened to be Midsummer. I was quite taken by the cute garden sheds, and as soon as I began strolling along the “beach” and bay…I remember thinking of Cooper my Labrador. I didn’t see too many dog walkers on that first walk. However, on this most recent visit to Stockholm in May, Ronald and I saw several people leisurely strolling with dogs. It particularly made me think of Cooper because I knew he would want to swim there. For part of the year, dogs are allowed to swim in this location…in summer they are not allowed as it is a pretty popular place to swim for people. I couldn’t help but wonder and also imagine that cold weather would not deter his desire to swim there.

Since our trip to Europe this year also coincided with the date that marked one year since saying goodbye to Cooper – I brought just a little of Coop’s ashes. I wanted to have a bit of of him with me especially on that day. I thought it would be nice to bring him to a place in Stockholm I always dreamed to take him…I often told him how much he would love it there. I cherish imagining him in that spot – running free and swimming and having the best day ever…as was always his way. We had a little drink of Weller 12 which was the end of the bottle and symbolized saying farewell as well as a nod to what should have been his 12th birthday. It was a peaceful moment and beautiful surroundings.