How did I get here, Springalmost 2015? One answer is across Germany and Denmark on Bertha. Travel beyond Elsa. Vatta and I, Satnav Jane and sleepy Bob in a pannier. The lack of weather protection on the GS is no problem cruising the highways. The truth is that when the weather was foul enough for Elsa's fairing to be an advantage, I didn't want to ride. Up into Vitared's dirt roads. Note to self. Bertha is capable, but needs a new pair of boots for this. Second note to self. Off road and dirt road practise required.
A long hot summer. Sweden was like Greece but with money. The lake side beaches were busy with young Swedish folk being Swedish. Beautiful, lean, blond bodies, making me feel very old. Good for them. Days are for spending, not saving.
A canal cruise to St Petersburg with Aki. You won't find that on a Swedish map. You have to start from Finland. Photos? Not sure what happened there.
Kulture Touring with VMCK, and a long ride home in torrential rain. On the motorway heading East from the coast near Norway, cars aquaplaned. Bertha ploughed on sure footed. Amazing! How did she do that?
My cellar flooded! Deep trauma, and an opportunity. Over the long Scandinavian winter I ripped out the cellar accommodation and modernised. Hard work and very satisfying. Photos? Later. I have some somewhere. No stopping now. There was more winter than project, so I also ripped out the remaining bedroom, and modernised. I did the same with my house in England. Turns out I enjoy DIY.
Spring is just about here. On the blocks and ready to go. The first Vitsippor are out. Soon the meadows will be a carpet of fragrant white. You couldn't be anywhere Elsa.
Winter has almost gone, and with it the ghosts retreat. I'll try and write more often as I am emerging from the winters gloom. Time to stretch legs and fill lungs with cool, fresh, Swedish air. Where are my motorbike keys?
Monday, 13 April 2015
Friday, 10 April 2015
An EU Citizen
...............So what am I doing in Sweden? A question I asked myself continuously at an earlier stage in this adventure. And again when a friend died in England. Grief and home sickness. So sorry Phil. Shocked and stunned. And yet again when I didn't get Swedish residency because the British government would not issue a health certificate to a NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training). I'm not early retired apparently! No health certificate, the Swedish authorities would have had no choice but to reject my application, so I fell on my own sword, and withdrew. So I remain domiciled in the UK, with frequent, long, trips to my summer house in its wonderful location. Don't you just love rules!
...So exactly where IS the advantage of being an EU citizen?
It took a while but I got there. What am I doing in Sweden? The UK government will no doubt disagree, but what I am doing is enjoying early retirement mostly in Sweden. Within the rules, I am a perpetual traveller. Thanks to my sister for her support with a UK base.
The sun is shining. There are wonderful views of Vattern thanks to the clear clean air. Back to my tranquil acre for the big spring clear up. Big beautiful motorbike to ride later. I'm not early retired apparently. NEET!
...So exactly where IS the advantage of being an EU citizen?
It took a while but I got there. What am I doing in Sweden? The UK government will no doubt disagree, but what I am doing is enjoying early retirement mostly in Sweden. Within the rules, I am a perpetual traveller. Thanks to my sister for her support with a UK base.
The sun is shining. There are wonderful views of Vattern thanks to the clear clean air. Back to my tranquil acre for the big spring clear up. Big beautiful motorbike to ride later. I'm not early retired apparently. NEET!
Tuesday, 3 June 2014
Surgery
"It'll be fine Mr Winterburn. Why don't you take a walk into town, have lunch maybe. Say one ish? They will be pretty much done by then I think"
No use saying don't worry, it's what I do. This has been months coming, and I cannot imagine it will go smoothly. My mind drifts and I let it. Route Napoleon, sun strobing through the trees. Picos de la Europas, Breathtaking views to sleepy farmsteads below. The Outer Hebrides, Harris and Lewis, and midsummer at Clannish. Lost in Europe, France, Italy and Ice cream on the shores of Lake Garda, Austria, Switzerland, swimming in the icy waters of Lake Constance. Germany, Netherlands. Nordkapp, was I ever so alone? Nope, great company always. Rocky roads and heart in mouth. The Fjords of Norway and smiling faces at VMCK, the first time. Sweden, and Sweden, and Sweden. Faces come and go. Dear friends and the sun always shines.
Can't put it off any longer. I walk straight past. The guy smiled and pointed back the way I had come. Satnav Jane sits perched on the handlebars of the new steed. The operation was a success. Jane continues beyond Elsa. Bertha is a fine machine. Another beemer. R1200GS, for the forests and dirt tracks that almost had Elsa beat. If I strain my neck, and look out back I could see Elsa standing lonely, waiting for collection. I did this with a good dog once, turned my back and walked away. Is it the same for all bikers?
The wonderful thing about love is that every time is the first time. It always comes again, if you let it.
No use saying don't worry, it's what I do. This has been months coming, and I cannot imagine it will go smoothly. My mind drifts and I let it. Route Napoleon, sun strobing through the trees. Picos de la Europas, Breathtaking views to sleepy farmsteads below. The Outer Hebrides, Harris and Lewis, and midsummer at Clannish. Lost in Europe, France, Italy and Ice cream on the shores of Lake Garda, Austria, Switzerland, swimming in the icy waters of Lake Constance. Germany, Netherlands. Nordkapp, was I ever so alone? Nope, great company always. Rocky roads and heart in mouth. The Fjords of Norway and smiling faces at VMCK, the first time. Sweden, and Sweden, and Sweden. Faces come and go. Dear friends and the sun always shines.
Can't put it off any longer. I walk straight past. The guy smiled and pointed back the way I had come. Satnav Jane sits perched on the handlebars of the new steed. The operation was a success. Jane continues beyond Elsa. Bertha is a fine machine. Another beemer. R1200GS, for the forests and dirt tracks that almost had Elsa beat. If I strain my neck, and look out back I could see Elsa standing lonely, waiting for collection. I did this with a good dog once, turned my back and walked away. Is it the same for all bikers?
The wonderful thing about love is that every time is the first time. It always comes again, if you let it.
Thursday, 1 May 2014
The Warmest Winter....
.....on record, pretty much everywhere. In Sweden I was accused of importing an English one. I understand what they mean. Cold, wet, grey, miserable. At least the grass isn't growing...
...or it wasn't. Time flies. Dark, damp February gave way to a dry March, and a few days that crept above 10C for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Tentatively I started the big spring clear up. An acre generates a lot of dead heading, pruning, trimming, and a lot of leaves and cones.
April and Easter/Pask. Keep at the clear up, friends arriving for the holiday, always a special occasion. Allan & Sue always bring a taste of England with them. Familiar company, conversation and practise with my English language. It may be my mother tongue but it deteriorates without practise. It's the little things that delight. Swamp safari with Allan. Sue had more sense. We found the way out the back of Vitared and onto the old Tidaholm road. It's a long straight dirt road that links dozens of sleepy farmsteads. With early evening sunshine, a joy. No stone chips on Darwin is also a bonus. The lawn, which is what I call it, got it's first cut with the tractor mower before A&S trundled off heading for the airport. There are worse ways to spend 5 hours than cutting grass. Here it only grows for three months of the year, so I am not complaining.
Sanding and oiling woodwork, a lot of it. A workshop roof to repair. Elsa is ready for her last journey with me. Sorry gal, I can hardly look at you, I feel such a traitor. The big red German motorcycle has been my companion on my adventures for 8 years. Irreplaceable?
Two barrels of beer from my micro-micro brewery. All strictly for private consumption. A barrel of IPA for midsommer, and an experimental barrel of Pilsner for later. My decision, it's time to learn to brew lager for my Swedish friends. My decision is a Pilsner brewed to German purity standards. The hops grow in my garden, and the water is spring water. We are blessed that that is what comes out when you turn on a tap here. The process, grains, hops, yeast, temperatures and timings are all different to English real ale. I am expecting it to take 3 attempts or so to produce a convincing Scandinavian Ale.
Saturday is the big clean up at VMCK camping, ready for the new season. I'm resting a little. That will be a tough day, followed by after work pizza and beer at Lillgarden. The new owner is to be supported for providing us with a "pub". Still miss Anna and her wonderful Swedish food though.
Martin drops off a cart load of fire wood. I'm already stocking up a cart load at a time. I am learning. I used to be shocked by summer wood piles half as big as the house they sat next to. Cold, winter, Sweden. I get it now!
...or it wasn't. Time flies. Dark, damp February gave way to a dry March, and a few days that crept above 10C for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Tentatively I started the big spring clear up. An acre generates a lot of dead heading, pruning, trimming, and a lot of leaves and cones.
April and Easter/Pask. Keep at the clear up, friends arriving for the holiday, always a special occasion. Allan & Sue always bring a taste of England with them. Familiar company, conversation and practise with my English language. It may be my mother tongue but it deteriorates without practise. It's the little things that delight. Swamp safari with Allan. Sue had more sense. We found the way out the back of Vitared and onto the old Tidaholm road. It's a long straight dirt road that links dozens of sleepy farmsteads. With early evening sunshine, a joy. No stone chips on Darwin is also a bonus. The lawn, which is what I call it, got it's first cut with the tractor mower before A&S trundled off heading for the airport. There are worse ways to spend 5 hours than cutting grass. Here it only grows for three months of the year, so I am not complaining.
Sanding and oiling woodwork, a lot of it. A workshop roof to repair. Elsa is ready for her last journey with me. Sorry gal, I can hardly look at you, I feel such a traitor. The big red German motorcycle has been my companion on my adventures for 8 years. Irreplaceable?
Two barrels of beer from my micro-micro brewery. All strictly for private consumption. A barrel of IPA for midsommer, and an experimental barrel of Pilsner for later. My decision, it's time to learn to brew lager for my Swedish friends. My decision is a Pilsner brewed to German purity standards. The hops grow in my garden, and the water is spring water. We are blessed that that is what comes out when you turn on a tap here. The process, grains, hops, yeast, temperatures and timings are all different to English real ale. I am expecting it to take 3 attempts or so to produce a convincing Scandinavian Ale.
Saturday is the big clean up at VMCK camping, ready for the new season. I'm resting a little. That will be a tough day, followed by after work pizza and beer at Lillgarden. The new owner is to be supported for providing us with a "pub". Still miss Anna and her wonderful Swedish food though.
Martin drops off a cart load of fire wood. I'm already stocking up a cart load at a time. I am learning. I used to be shocked by summer wood piles half as big as the house they sat next to. Cold, winter, Sweden. I get it now!
Enlightenment
I don't want to write about the fact that Uncle Dennis died, so I'll write this instead. He was a lovely man. A proper Uncle as well. I miss him. He seemed wise to me.
I don't want to be goofy all of my life. 50's is late enough to pay attention and try to gain at least a little wisdom while I'm still here.
I think I found a problem with enlightenment though. Which one? A Christian one, or Muslim, or Budist, Socialist? What you see depends on where you stand. The religious helpfully tell you that the true path is through their lord. The socialist, that only their agenda is progressive.
To be ignorant is to be scared. Knowledge may ease and satisfy, but it is entirely possible to gain knowledge and still be scared. Before enlightenment, chopping wood and fetching water. After enlightenment, more of the same.
No cabin fever here.
I don't want to be goofy all of my life. 50's is late enough to pay attention and try to gain at least a little wisdom while I'm still here.
I think I found a problem with enlightenment though. Which one? A Christian one, or Muslim, or Budist, Socialist? What you see depends on where you stand. The religious helpfully tell you that the true path is through their lord. The socialist, that only their agenda is progressive.
To be ignorant is to be scared. Knowledge may ease and satisfy, but it is entirely possible to gain knowledge and still be scared. Before enlightenment, chopping wood and fetching water. After enlightenment, more of the same.
No cabin fever here.
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Darwin IV
3 weeks the lurgy had me. I was barely fit to travel on departure day. I got the car loaded with supply mission 4. Workshop equipment and tooling, and some of my books and files this time. I apologise to anyone I passed what seems to have been swine flu to. Mild but very contagious it is rife in Northern Europe just now.
The journey fully laden to Harwich was in a force 8 storm. More than an hour of delays left me with 10 minutes to spare. Time enough to fill the tank at UK prices. Embarkation ready for a roller coaster voyage across the North Sea. Esbjerg Jutland to the bridge 3.5 hours. The fever came back a little but I wasn't too bad as I drove across into Sweden, ready for a routine stop and search. It happens a lot with foreign plates. I know a little of how black guys feel in the UK, but here is the thing. The policeman was just doing his job. No problem unless I want it to be. Anyway my snuffling and coughing may have influenced him. I was on my way. "Welcome to Sweden.
3.5 hours to Bankeryd. 100 miles to go and I was spent. Problem, the next motel is 50 miles (UK) north. I did it, so just 50 more to get home. Finish the job was my decision. I think anyone would have made the same dodgy call. 5 Days with a friend good enough to nurse me until I was well enough to go home and look after myself. Funny a few day earlier I thought I was coming out of the flu. It turns out I hadn't hit the bottom.
Thanks to the lanky girl for helping unload Darwin. A woman friend significantly taller than me is a god send sometimes. Shame my back gave out. Shit happens. Job done though. It may have felt bad but it was actually a successful trip.
The journey fully laden to Harwich was in a force 8 storm. More than an hour of delays left me with 10 minutes to spare. Time enough to fill the tank at UK prices. Embarkation ready for a roller coaster voyage across the North Sea. Esbjerg Jutland to the bridge 3.5 hours. The fever came back a little but I wasn't too bad as I drove across into Sweden, ready for a routine stop and search. It happens a lot with foreign plates. I know a little of how black guys feel in the UK, but here is the thing. The policeman was just doing his job. No problem unless I want it to be. Anyway my snuffling and coughing may have influenced him. I was on my way. "Welcome to Sweden.
3.5 hours to Bankeryd. 100 miles to go and I was spent. Problem, the next motel is 50 miles (UK) north. I did it, so just 50 more to get home. Finish the job was my decision. I think anyone would have made the same dodgy call. 5 Days with a friend good enough to nurse me until I was well enough to go home and look after myself. Funny a few day earlier I thought I was coming out of the flu. It turns out I hadn't hit the bottom.
Thanks to the lanky girl for helping unload Darwin. A woman friend significantly taller than me is a god send sometimes. Shame my back gave out. Shit happens. Job done though. It may have felt bad but it was actually a successful trip.
Check List
The month wasn't going badly. A trip to Lincoln, all be it with what felt like the start of a cold, was a real treat. Always good to catch up with Paul and family. The journey home was problematic though. The warning light came back. Then one cylinder started miss firing. Then it packed up completely. I limped home on three cyclinders the last 3 miles. The long hill southbound to M42 junction 10 I was dropping through the gears, hoping not to end up as a breakdown on the hard shoulder. Made it, just.
Car Repairs Check
Road Fund Licences Check
New Drivers Licence Check
New Credit cards Check
Provisions for Sweden Check
See Friends and Family Check
New Motorcycle Check
Influenza Check
Ohh crap!!
Car Repairs Check
Road Fund Licences Check
New Drivers Licence Check
New Credit cards Check
Provisions for Sweden Check
See Friends and Family Check
New Motorcycle Check
Influenza Check
Ohh crap!!
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