Barrows
The south of Sweden has many ancient burial mounds, we visited a group of about twelve barrows very near to Landskrona, which might have been visited by my not quite so ancient ancestors!
The back of a photo taken by my grandmother in 1948 (they are not viking burials but earlier)
Here’s the front of the photo. Another photo says the mounds are “near Härslöv” – these were the only clues I had as to where they were!
Arianell and Coriander were keen to climb up to the top!
The view south out over the fields was very fine.
After visiting the barrows we drove through nearby Teckomatorp and stopped at the little parish church in Norviddinge…
Where I located the gravestone of the Bengtsson family including my Great Aunt Anna Matilda, who I remember as a sweet white-haired lady who spoke in careful English, and taught me to embroider. We made “little Dutch girl” tea towels together, one for each day of the week except Sunday! She is the one who inspired me in my love of textiles, and whose tapestries brought me here.
Tack så mycket Faster Anna Matilda💐
Quimper Hittys 
Wow 😮
I did visit Sweden when I was about 7 and stayed in an apartment block with my parents as my dad was in the merchant navy and was instrumental in building the first oil super tanker and we were going with him on its Maiden voyage… cannot believe this was 52 years ago and my dad passed away in February this year ❤️🩹
Life does happen doesn’t it 🫶
Isn’t it interesting when experiences and connections intertwine, the tapestry of life is woven, and we are part of it in all its colours and complexities .
That landscape looks very flat so the barrows will give great views. Well done little Hittys for getting to the top though I suspect you had a little bit of human help ;). How lovely to find the grave of a woman who meant such a lot to you and set you on an important path in your life. Trips down memory lane are very special.
It is very flat overall around the barrows – we could see all the way to Denmark from the top! I was very pleased to find Anna Matilda’s grave, it meant a lot to me💕.
I was moved to tears reading about your Great Aunt Anna Matilda and her contribution to your life, finding her gravestone. I can imagine that this trip brings a great deal of completeness to yourself…a coming home in a way?
This is a special trip for me in so many ways, I try to imagine my grandfather growing up around this area and going to that church, having picnics (I have some photos from that time too in the 19 teens and 20’s before he emigrated). I was so please to be able to visit the area that I have dreamed about for so long.
a very personal part of your journey, thank you for sharing. Great aunt Anna Matilda would be delighted with your visit and proud of your textile achievements.
I think she would! She was a wonderful person, a nurse by training, and especially close to my mother. I love that she lived and worked and wove tapestries and did embroidery right here!
What a precious experience, to go back to your roots and to find them. I got shivery reading your descriptions and seeing the photos. What beautiful memories you are creating.
It was precious! I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to conduct here and do these things!
I love how orderly and beautifully cared-for the graveyard is. A wonderfully peaceful resting place. The barrows, on the other hand, may be full of whispers since their inhabitants were proud, fierce and powerful. I’ve always found barrows make my hair stand on end, wherever they are!
The churchyards in Sweden appear to be very tidy and well kept. We noticed that too. And the barrows rather made my hair stand on end too!
Quite the sightseeing adventure!
It really was! Wherever my ancestors actually are, it was a really meaningful trip around the south of Sweden for me.
what a delight.. YOu aunt sounds like she was a treasure, .to find her stone and the beautiful church. To remember what an impact she had on you. Such a legacy ..you have carried on her skills! The barrows were so interesting. thank you for sharing your adventures with us.
You are welcome, I feel so fortunate and satisfied at being here, and a real bonus that my cousin was able to point me in the direction of the family grave at the church.