Just north of our apartment building, along the railroad tracks, is a park where I walk most days (photos from September) with the monument, a pond, and paths around the burial mound known as Lerbäckshög which is loosely translated as Muddy Stream Hill.

Here is a translation of the above text…The site, with the highest elevation near Lund, has been used as a ceremonial space since before the Bronze Age and was the site of many important meetings from the 12th century through 1676 when it played a role as an observation point in the Battle of Lund. The park features the monument commentating the battle next to Lerbäckshög, a burial mound from the Bronze Age (around 1800-500 BC). At the mound, from the 12th century to the 17th century, the Skåne county council met, which was a court where judgments from lower courts could be appealed. At first, the county council’s area covered all of Denmark east of the Öresund, but Halland and Blekinge later got their own county councils. At the county council, a judge with court clerks and jurors made their judgements. Until 1660, Denmark was an electoral kingdom where a new king was formally elected and this took place at the county council of representatives of the provinces in the Danish kingdom. Several such ceremonies have been held at Lerbäckshög, including in 1584 when the future Christian IV was appointed heir to the throne. During the Battle of Lund, Lerbäckshög was used as an observation point.

I found these photos of Lerbäckshög in earlier times. The painting was done when it was the last “king’s hold” in Lund. Now the wind mill is gone and the park is bordered by city streets to the east, train tracks to the west. Kävlingevägen is still there, the highway leading to the village of Kävlinge (wrestler, fighter)

which probably relates to the many battles fought in this area. I’ve been seeing lots of European robins, tits and black birds as spring returns, though the views aren’t nearly as picturesque as this nostalgic image I came across!

Sportlov week is back…winter sports break with lots of sports and activities offered through community education/ parks and rec programs. But the kids prefer to hang out at home, and Bryant is saving up some vacation time so we are staying here.

I’ve been keeping very busy with cooking club, citizens hub etc and have joined Lund’s local organic food co-operative.

The group is undergoing some restructuring and is in need of help. I’ve been pitching in as needed, starting with promoting new products for which I’ll test and post recipes. I made lupin bean hummus which was delicious and received nice reviews at a members meeting.

As luck would have it, cooking club was Palestinian food this month and I was able to implement some tips I learned from our host, Shereen, on making hummus- ice cubes help make it creamy!!! We made hummus, falafel, tabbouleh and baba ghanouj with amazing basbousa semolina cake for dessert!

Wild weather with “nearly hurricane” Otto interspersed with pleasant sunny days has made a nice break in the monotony of cloudy drizzle.