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Rootneros Park Aug 4, 2003 Last week we decided to take a trip out to Rottneros, which is the site of a well known park not far from Sunne, to the north of Karlstad. As well as being a beautiful garden park, Rottneros is also the sometime home for concerts and houses a permanent motor cycle museum. In recent weeks performers such a Z Z Top and Wanda Jackson (who can remember “The Bunny Hop” from 1960?) have performed there in the magnificent setting in open-air concerts. According to the map and guide to the park, Rottneros dates back to the Iron Age, with evidence of an ancient homestead on the site. The estate suffered a fire in 1929, but an extensive period of changes during 1945 to 1959 by the founder Svante Påhlson, gradually brought about the present day park-like setting, complete with over a hundred or so sculptures by old and new masters, tastefully displayed amongst the trees and flowers. The first thing that strikes the visitor is the enormous sculpture of a peacock at the entrance, totally covered with flowering plants, and once inside the main gates the sight of the flowers, trees and sculptures with fountains, waterfalls and streams is very relaxing. The whole park is situated on a gentle slope overlooking beautiful Frykensjön and glimpses of the lake can be seen through the trees from various vantage points throughout the park. Rottneros Park is also home to a childrens adventure playground, loosely based on the children’s books by Nils Holgersson, a herb and kitchen garden and a flower garden with over 25,000 flowers in bloom in the summer months. Avenues of beech trees provide welcome shade on hot days and there are a couple of restaurants amongst the various areas of the park where it is a delight to sit back with a coffee or ice cream – or perhaps both – and enjoy the views. Attached to the Flower Park, somewhat incongruously perhaps, is an impressive motor cycle museum. Or rather exhibition, I should say, for this collection is more art than simply a gathering of old motor cycles. Each exhibit, ranging from the oldest, a Neckarsulmer 1901 model, through to the latest, a stunning Gilera Ice from 2002, look as though they have just come from the factory, they are so impressively restored. My early years were well represented by the Triumph Speed Twin from 1952 and the BSA Gold Star from 1958, but there are many impressive examples of the legendary names from the motor cycle world: Indian, Rudge Whitworth, Norton, Vincent, Velocette and Ariel, are all represented in all their glory. And of course the later Hondas, Suzukis and Aprilias are also on display. My favourite? Well, I guess that probably I would have to go for the Triumph Bonneville from 1971 for nostalgic reasons, but it would be a hard decision between the Triumph and the simply gorgeous MV Agusta F4 d’Oro from 2000. The most curious exhibit I suppose would be the little Lohman diesel moped from 1952, or even the Mustad Folkscooter from the same year – what was it about the 1950’s that seemed to inspire the most weird designs? The motor cycle exhibition is advertised as “Guggenheim-inspired” and it is certainly the most impressive gathering of motor-cycling history I have seen to date. Even the small bookshop at the entrance has an incredible variety of books on all topics of interest to motor cyclists and those interested in this form of transport. I even found a couple of books with photos and references to my little three wheeler from the 1960’s, the magnificent Berkeley… Hälsningar till nästa vecka, ------------ About the author: Robin Alan Bell is an Englishman by birth, but migrated to Australia back in '72. Married and divorced there. Spent the last 3 years living by myself on a remote farm in rural New South Wales with no mains electricity, water etc. All power, heating was from natural resources (solar, wind, wood). "Met" a Swedish girl on the internet, came to Sweden for a holiday, loved the place (and the girl), moved to Sweden permanently Christmas 2001 and married the girl in Easter 2002. Living happily ever after... Email Robin Alan Bell: sosoft@ozemail.com.au Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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