Up on the Roof

I thought it would never stop raining. That was impressive but boring. From up here the river is a torrent, passing under the bridge, rushing foaming towards the lake. Passing villagers are teaching me new words, mostly to do with not having seen the river this high before. Looking down at the forest track flooded out beneath leaden skies I must remember why I am up here. This roof is coming off! Roland is too big to get onto it, and his father Sven is 86. That makes this my job. Don't for one minute think Sven would not or could not do it. The old man is an inspiration. If I want to be as fit as him in my eighties I need to toughen up. Mostly today due to impending further rain, I am preparing. Learning this roof, removing as many bolts as I can, a panel to explore how, then stop. 2 more inches of rain are coming. Still that gives me a chance to clear the weeds along the long side of the property. Another task on my to do list.

Blue skies today and Sven is here before 9. Roland is working in the forest with the sidewinder. Sven and I share virtually no language, but no matter. The roof is coming off this morning. "Ett Tim" and a jerking motion backwards with my thumb, and Sven is happy. The roof will be off by coffee time, then he will plan the new woodwork. Sven is the gaffer today. The roof slid impressively into the garden 7 meters below, just where I wanted it, and without me going with it. Winterburn monkey genes. The carpentry plan is hard. I do carpentry, but I cannot understand Sven's instructions. Over coffee I draw a diagram of the existing structure with measurements. Thank god we share numerals. Sven superimposes his plan and off we go. Claw hammers in the loops on our trousers and pouches full of very large nails. Is this a holiday? You better believe it. Best I've had in years!

I slept well last night, exhausted in a good way. Saw muscles will ease today. The corrugated panels need to be on by the end of the day. We want to get it waterproof today. The sun is hot and relentless today and I am back up on my perch above the river. Getting the fixings in from improvised slideways is "interesting". A slide took me a little too close to the edge for comfort, but I remember pressure and friction holds from my rock climbing. No problem. No panic. This is so much fun.

There is a tradition that a new roof deserves a party. It is a Swedish tradition that even reached the American mid west. Anything that involves grilled beef and beer is totally OK by me. 

Coming up. VMCK are hosting the Swedish BSA owners rally at the weekend. Friday evening is registration for the atendees. I am one of the four man reception team.

A note to anyone wishing to emigrate anywhere. A personal opinion well tested though. Multiculturism is bollocks! You have to integrate. If it comes to it, I would gladly live by the statment I have just made. I can put my money where my mouth is on this one. 150 words of Svenska so far says so.