We spent Monday and Tuesday this week on the island of Ringsö in Lake Mälaren. Our friends Lennart and Beata have a summer house there, which they have been building for many years. We've heard about the place for a long time, but never went out there until now. Follow us to a little gem in the middle of Lake Mälaren!
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ShareIn the centre of Lake Mälaren
Many people go to islands in the Stockholm archipelago, but there are also beautiful islands in Lake Mälaren. Ringsö is located in the middle of Lake Mälaren and to get there from Stockholm you drive via Södertälje and on to Stallarholmen and Selaön. There you have to have your own small boat to continue the 800 metres across the water to Ringsö.
There are over 200 summer houses on the island, and for the past decade or so there have also been some permanent residents on the island. But if you live here all year round, you have to plan your life. There are no shops or regular boat services.
Building a summer house
Lennart had the (crazy?) idea that he wanted to build a log house from scratch all by himself. And that's exactly what he and Beata have done! They had to start by clearing the plot of forest, and then they built the house themselves - log by log. Impressive!
After a few years of construction, they temporarily got tired of the tough project, and now they've had ... a three-year break. The house is largely finished on the outside. Inside, everything is missing, from internal walls and insulation to a toilet, kitchen and running water. But this summer they are going to start building again! And in July, Peter has promised to come out and help.
Ringsö in Lake Mälaren - An idyll
Ringsö is truly an idyll! The island is filled with intensely green forests, open oak groves, charming wooden houses in yellow and red, gravelled walkways, jetties and boats. There is also a wealth of wildlife.
We saw hare, deer and many different birds, and Lennart and Beata have also seen martens jumping between the trees. Since we will spend some time on Ringsö in July, you will surely see more pictures from here!
You might also like:
Stendörren nature reserve - with suspension bridges between islands
Öster Malma Castle - hunting, buffet and wild animals
Fishing in Lake Mälaren - a long weekend on the island of Ringsö
Ericsberg Castle - and other private castles in Södermanland
Aspö outside Karlskrona - in the lovely Blekinge archipelago
What to do on Tjörn - 17 tips for a lovely island in Bohuslän.
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Lennart says:
Sweden has many beautiful places, especially at this time of year!
07 June 2017 - 7:30
Helena says:
Can only agree! Nice country we live in 🙂
07 June 2017 - 11:59
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
The archipelago is amazing.
07 June 2017 - 8:40
Helena says:
Yes it is! And I have also discovered Lake Mälaren and the islands there 🙂.
07 June 2017 - 12:01
Ama de casa says:
Looked really nice there - and a house with potential! Building it yourself must be a challenge. Just transporting all the stuff there... But it will surely be great now that they get expert help and everything 🙂 🙂.
07 June 2017 - 9:06
Helena says:
It really is a gigantic job! They have done a lot, but there is also a lot left. The material is transported with a small barge and tractor 😉.
07 June 2017 - 12:06
Ditte says:
Truly an idyll in Lake Mälaren and in many ways it is good that there is no road, it is a boat that applies. But what a job to get all the materials for the house construction. I understand that a break was necessary.
just the islands in Lake Mälaren get such a special greenery this time, in the archipelago it is a completely different type of nature and both are beautiful in their own way. Understand that you had nice days.
And these beautiful sunsets are delightful.
07 June 2017 - 11:03
Helena says:
There is a farmer who transports materials by barge and tractor. But of course a lot of extra work! But it's really nice out there!
07 June 2017 - 12:07
Mr Steve says:
What a wonderful place and what a great building project your friends have embarked on.
07 June 2017 - 12:11
Helena says:
Yes, it's an impressive construction project if nothing else 😉 In a lovely place!
07 June 2017 - 22:59
Lena - good for the soul says:
Great place! Impressive work. You could have almost waved to me on Monday when I was working! 🙂
Hug Lena
07 June 2017 - 17:07
Helena says:
Wow, is that true? Now I'm a bit disorientated ... where?
07 June 2017 - 23:00
Ruth in Virginia says:
Lake Mälaren is a WONDERFUL lake!
Your header - gorgeous! What a view!
(homesickness)
07 June 2017 - 17:23
Helena says:
Glad you like the picture! Yes, the view was amazing! 🙂
07 June 2017 - 23:00
Matts Torebring says:
How nice! But as a frequent "builder", I understand what a job it is and has been. The last transport by boat and timber is not easy either. However, 800 metres from land, feels a bit right.
07 June 2017 - 19:02
Helena says:
Yes, indeed! Without being a developer - but having been involved in several construction projects - I also understand what a huge amount of work this has been! And then there is still a lot left ... But it will be nice 😉.
07 June 2017 - 23:01
gun says:
Our elongated country is fantastic and there are plenty of places to visit. Lake Mälaren is a beautiful lake.
gun
07 June 2017 - 20:49
Helena says:
Yes, there are really many nice places in Sweden! 🙂
07 June 2017 - 23:02
BP says:
Talk about idyllic! What a fantastic house these two have built. They probably don't have their thumbs in the middle of their hands, so to speak. Peter, who is a carpenter, will probably be the injection needed to finish the summer house.
07 June 2017 - 20:50
Helena says:
No, they don't have their thumb in the centre of their hand in any way. They have built a very nice and robust building! But it is a big job they have embarked on ...!
07 June 2017 - 23:03
Cattis says:
Looks like a really beautiful place to stay and an impressive project to embark on, hope you can finish the cottage!
07 June 2017 - 22:40
Helena says:
Yes, it is super nice! We joked that they have to build so that they can get in with the walker because it may not be ready until the autumn of their age ... 😉 But no, we cheer on and it goes faster 😉 .
07 June 2017 - 23:04
Lena says:
Fantastic location, it will certainly be good with Peter's help to get to the inside! Fun to practice your old tricks again for a while for a change!
07 June 2017 - 22:40
Helena says:
Yes, it's a bit unfamiliar to build ... He's quite tired of it really, but when he starts looking at it all, it's clear that he knows his stuff 🙂 ...
07 June 2017 - 23:05
Mia's Mix says:
Truly idyllic. But what a job to build the house from scratch.
07 June 2017 - 23:19
Helena says:
Yes, totally crazy job... but it will be nice! 😉
08 June 2017 - 18:30
Marina says:
Fun to see because I'm invited to the last weekend in July and hope for a fantastic summer weather so Stockholm's archipelago shows itself from its best side 🙂.
08 June 2017 - 10:18
Helena says:
But oh how fun! Then maybe we can meet! Think we might be there then 🙂
08 June 2017 - 18:31
steel city anna says:
How beautiful!
09 June 2017 - 20:46