Approaching Yule

The snow was well above my knees as I waded in to select my tree. I had identified it and got permission in October. It's fate was sealed during a working party, specifically clearing saplings that are too close to roads and the water treatment and pumping station. I saved it from inhalation for me to cut it down 2 months later. Having cut it down I had to tramp, crawl out with it. Exhausting work this deep snow. Trimmed it is 2.1M and looks very nice in my open plan lounge.

The house is looking good. I'm early by Swedish standards, but with weekend visitors I decided to go for it. Northern European style with various light displays at windows, candle lanterns on the porch. Down stairs I have been turning the morning room into a dining room for 25 December. 24 December is Christmas day here. For the Swedes 25 (English Christmas day) is a lot like out Boxing day I believe. I have friends over on 25th for a traditional English Christmas dinner. Will that work after the roast ham and trimmings of the day before? We shall see. Try it this year and see if it works.

My credit card statement is in, so I can spend again knowing I don't have to pay up until early February. That is the cue to finish the Christmas shopping. A6 Mall is OK. Not the lunatic crowds we experience in the UK. They keep Christmas to Christmas from what I can see. There is no denying that it is commercialised, but to no where near the obnoxious extent that the UK has gone over recent years. The focus does indeed seem to be family and friends, rather than stuff.

21 December. Winter solstice. 6.5 hours of light per day now. Similar to Scotland? Only without the Wee church to spoil the fun.

Planning for my dinner party 25 December, and the VMCK New Year Banquet is done. Everything is under control (which may mean I don't know that I've forgotten something). This is the first Christmas I've organised in..........ever actually. Thanks to all over the last 5 years who have had me as a guest for Christmas dinner. December is traditionally my worst month and you got me through nicely. I'm mostly enjoying the season, except...........


........So sorry Uncle Derek. We knew it was coming, but it still manages to shock. So hard to be a way from Family at these times. A funeral 23 December is impossible for me to get to. I paced the floor like a caged animal. I've gotten used to the fact now that there is literally nothing I can do. Love and Light all. Hugs when I can.




    

And More Snow

It was snowing steadily again on Sunday morning as I came home from my three nights in Bankeryd. Heart in mouth as usual driving on the ice, but no drama. I am nervous of the hill where I got stuck, but keeping my speed steady and in broad daylight, I did it no problem. I swung Darwin into the carport and tramped through the fresh snow up the paths I had cleared, to my front door. They will need clearing again tomorrow.

As it got dark it looks as though I have a fresh 30 - 40cm. Please let it stop before it buries me. Nothing to be done tonight except cook my Lamb Ragout and Aubergine. With a grating of nutmeg on top and the dish well matured, this is pretty close to Moussaka. Very comforting on a cold winters night. While I was eating I heard the very reassuring sound of the farmer with the snow plough. The road is clear and the snow has stopped. With luck the job tomorrow is to dig Darwin out and link my place to the cleared road. 2.5 hours hard labour should do it.

Less than I thought. Maybe another 12cm. It mounts up. The garden between the grill place and guest cabin is half a metre deep now. The exercise is warming. What doesn't kill me, makes me stronger, and all of that old gough.

It's happened before. The weather system moved away and nighttime temperatures got up to an unbelievable 4C. By afternoon we have a serious thaw in progress. The roads are hell with slush and ice, but it's an improving picture. With plus temperatures and no snow to clear, I decided to use my energy in my workshop. 1st up was a settle to sit the cask of Ale on for New Year. Are you keeping up? Exciting stuff. Then sadly with the end of the road inevitable for Elsa in the Spring, I put some effort into smartening her up. I should do this before winterising her anyway. Actually, winterising is what I did.

On the way back to the house an ornamental tree that is broken from the weight of snow caught my attention. With so much energy to spare I took it down. It's a ten footer and removing the debris exhausted me. There are times when an afternoon is not only right, but inevitable. The Christmas lights woke me when the timer brought them on.

Advent is OK this year. If it wasn't only Tuesday I'd heat up a pan of glögg. I'll save the steaming boozy stuff for a colder day. 

The Storm

5 dead in Sweden.

The track that arrows from the little lake, through Grenen, to the 195 takes 2 miles (UK) of the journey to Roland's. Over breakfast the forecast said heavy snow this afternoon. It's my call, but I decided I had time to get to the dogs and put plenty of dry food and water out for them.

Job done. Satnav Jane picks out a route through to Tidaholm for groceries, fuel, and a parcel at the post counter. I'm watching the weather like a hawk as I make good progress along unfamiliar forest roads. My estimation is that I have 3 - 6 hours before the snow arrives.

Back to base: Pack an over night bag. I have dogs to look after, and a Christmas dinner on Saturday night in Bankeryd. I'm bailing out of Vitared for three nights. I can be stranded on this windy hill, or in the town. 3pm and the snow arrives, and hells bells is it heavy. I sling the bag in the car boot and head out. It's not settling yet, and I have daylight, just about. I took the forest track through Grenen again. It will close behind me I think.

The behaviour of the two dogs is interesting. The older one isn't happy with the snow and the feel of the air. The little one just wants to play. She is only a child. The older one, Salsa, was visibly shaking as I left them. I watched the news and it was apparent that one hell of a storm was just starting to hit North Western Europe. Roland has satellite TV. The BBC World Service covered the chaos in Rhyl, and up along the British west coast. I headed out for Bankeryd to my own billet for the storm, and promised Salsa I would see her in the morning. Ever seen a dog cry?

The wind battered us for the whole evening and night, much the same as the rest of Northern Europe. We battened down the hatches. Morning light showed what the blizzard had done to us. Snow drifts to dig to release cars. Impressive is that the council already have the work parties out battling to keep the community moving, through the continuing blizzard. I have to get back to Fagerhult and the dogs. In hind sight I chould have stayed with them and kipped at Roland's. I now know the limitations of REGULAR winter tyres. I cannot use studs due to my need to return Darwin to the UK during January. Studs are only legal in Norway, Sweden and Finland as far as I know. Bo drove. She has the day off and her Beemer has studs. She also has the experience I lack.

The 195 is sheet ice but the only effect on local traffic is a decrease in speed of maybe 10kph. They really know how to do this. Even so we drive in silence. Getting in to Roland's place wasn't possible so we parked up in the village and Bo' decamped to the 7/11 for coffee and Cinnamon buns. I take a half hour round trip hike into the teeth of the gale. Wading through snow drifts I could hear the dogs as I approached. They knew I was coming. Never has a man been greeted better. Job done. I had the phone number for a mutual friend who lives in the village. I cannot get back tonight, and I cannot stay. My ride will be leaving very soon. I called Kenth and no surprise he is happy to get down to the dogs later. I'm done. Bankeryd beckons, and a long winter lock in. 

Hamburg has sea levels 6 metres above normal. This is my story of the worst storm in 60 years. Hardly exiting, and for that I am not sorry. How many lost their lives? I'll hear maybe. Mother nature is a savage god sometimes. You don't need to make one up.

Saturday: Calm. I sneaked back into Vitared for five hours of daylight. I got to within 100 metres but my yard is inundated. I couldn't get Darwin onto the property. I spent my time digging out my parking and paths, ready for the next lot due tomorrow. 40cm this time + drifting. Temperature range is now -8C nighttime to -2C Afternoon. Not full winter, but we are getting there. Hot soup, emails, blog, pack more clothes. I think I'm coming back tomorrow PM, but you honestly cannot be sure. I'm no hero. I am inexperienced in these conditions, and happy to admit it. I'll play it safe. Any way, I have a Christmas dinner to go to 15 miles away. Back onto the ice roads then.



  

Snow

That first snow hung around a week with temperatures never getting above freezing. Then one night the temperature shot up. I was aware of it. I was actually hot in bed. When morning light eventually arrived Vitared was completely snow free. Daytime temperatures reached 5C for a couple of days, then the temperature fell and we got fresh covering. Just 1cm so I wasn't worried. I should have been more concerned because after dark it predictably froze. taking it easy on the ice and snow, the journey home through the forest wasn't too bad, until some arsehole in a pick up thundered up behind me and tailgated unmercifully for the last 3 kilometres. He mast be able to see my GB plates. He was blinding me with moose lights and breathing down my neck. I would have pulled over to let the prat pass, but there was nowhere to do that. So I held my nerve, and my speed. Not far, concentrate on the road, and ice, not the knuckle dragger behind. I got my turn signal on early to let bollock brian know I was getting out of his way, and slowed right down for the left hander onto our track. Made it. A big sigh of relief as my friend hurtled past, hurrying to catch the accident he was late for. 

I relaxed. Which is where what I think of as a forced error happened. I was crawling along, mentally exhausted, and already thinking of a stiff drink and an open fire. I should have been doing the hill with it's long left hand bend, and adverse cambre. I hadn't enough momentum to get up the ice road. I slithered to a halt. Hill start on ice? Don't try it. I couldn't reverse down around the bend without a likely slide into the ditch. 1st gear just produced wheel spin, oh and a little backwards slide. I was stuck.

Mikael: "When you end up in a ditch, which you will, call me on my mobile. Don't call the breakdown people. You will pay an absolute fortune."

"Fuck!" Sorry about that expletive. Apparently I am still partly Anglo-Saxon!. Unfortunately it seems to be the useless bit between my ears.

2nd gear and balance the throttle/accelerator and clutch/cuppling. I gained 40cm then wheel spin. Vitared is empty. It's a winter's evening and I have honestly never felt so alone. My heart was in my mouth. Abandon the car and walk the last quarter mile? Block the track so that a Swedish neighbour gets stuck as well. Try again. Another 40cm and then wheels spin. I rested and calculated. I was near the crest of the hill. I had made the best part of a metre. Keep at it. Where is that British Stiff upper lip? Just above the wobbly British lower one! 15 minutes later and in an awkward slither as the road became less steep, and I could taste success. YES, oh crikey watch the left hander, tending to waltz past. Home and breathing hard. A shower is enough detail, and a large Highland Park.

Note to self: Practise. Don't just wing it. I have to become proficient at ice driving.

The First Snow

I was sitting in Bankeryd drinking coffee and half watching the news and weather. The weather forecast caught my attention. The map of Sweden showed snow in the south, with one narrow finger of it missing Jonkoping but stretching up the west coast of Vattern. That's Vitared and the forest, I commented. The time forecast, NOW! I went to the window to look out, baring in mind here 15 miles south and at lower altitude no snow was forecast. It was raining steadily, and blowing a bit. I decided to start home immediately. No point watching a weather forecast if your not going to act upon the information. Boots and coat on and into the weather. It wasn't rain exactly, it had sleet mixed in. I bid farewell with a promise to phone on arrival home, and set off into the wet. 2 miles (UK) later on the 195 and it was definitely sleet. Windscreen wipers thrashing I headed north with an uneasy feeling. North of Habo I hung a right onto the forest B road home. Within another mile it was snowing hard. Another mile and the road was covered. The oncoming heavy snow formed a glittering silver white tunnel of stars in Darwin's headlights. Absolutely stunning in an oh my God sort of way. My heart was in my mouth. 8 miles/12k to go, up hill, in the face of what was starting to look a lot like a blizzard. I was now in no mans land between towns, deep in the forest. Too late to turn back? 15 minutes to Vitared and the nasty hill track to my place. Would the road behind close in 15 minutes? I thought not. The winter tyres felt secure. Vitared at a virtual crawl in case I skidded past the left hander. Made it. Darwin's little transverse engine pulled nicely and the new winter tyres did their job, which is partly to give me the confidence to drive in this. Into the car port and bail out for the warmth of Peace Cottage. A log fire, a hot cup of tea, the promised "I'm home safe" 'phone call, and an early night wondering just how deep it will be tomorrow.

10cm. This is an elevated position. Down on the lake shore, nothing. Up here, Christmas came early! It's only snow. I'm behaving like a kid. Scrub that. I'm behaving like a foreigner who doesn't see much of this stuff. 1.5 hours of snow clearing warmed me up and cleared the drive and paths. Then the snow plough passed by and deposited a portion of the roads snow onto my drive where I had just cleared. What do you do? Clear it again then sort plenty of firewood for a few days enforced rest.

Ernst reminded me that this is just an early taste of what comes later. -6C rising to 0C in the afternoons briefly, this feels like mid winter to an Englishman. Day light hours are 08:15 - 15:45. That also makes it feel like mid winter. The difference due to latitude is a little disorientating to me at the moment. These conditions match early January in Warwickshire. The Swedish winter is still to arrive. Apprehensive? Yep.

    

Elsa's Slippery Slope

With time on my 1.99 hands I put some work into investigating options to keep Elsa going a while longer. I am not ready to say goodbye to this wonderful motorcycle yet. EU extended stay insurance policies may be available for cars, in support of the mobility of migrant workers. Not so motorcycles which are seen as recreational. One company that provides EU cover for cars trawled through their contacts for me. No joy. I found one in Amsterdam that insures motorcycles but not over 7 years old. When did that happen? Elsa is also getting long in the tooth. There are one or two companies that might, but at a cost of around £1000 Stirling. I'm out of options from here. I have to shelve this until I'm back in the UK. Then it is a dual approach.

Advertise her for sale through the club forums, and also see what price my local dealer will give me for her. Not much for sure.

Lastly can I get a bespoke policy for an extended season, 6 months out of the UK maybe. Problem is I'd have to find storage in the UK for a winter.

One year more? Inevitably I have to let her go. It feels like contemplating shooting a good horse. I got this attached to a machine once before. Way back in my youth, a beautiful Norton Commando broke my heart when I had to let it go for health reasons. I'd forgotten Bess.

Reading Glasses

They are not called chopping fire wood glasses. If they were maybe I'd have thought to wear them as I wielded the hand axe. Fingernails are amazing things. Hard protection for delicate, sensitive finger tips. Not hard enough to withstand a hand axe though. At least in losing one I kept almost all of my finger!

AWWCH!!! It took five minutes for the pain to arrive fully and I know the drill. Tourniquet tied tight, bathroom, copious amounts of cold clean water, then break open the wound wash and get to work. Be quick because the pain when it fully arrives might knock me out. Job done with the maximum dose of Ibuprofen inside me. Elevate the hand and wait for the throbbing to ease off. I really prefer not to take an open wound to a British hospital, and it didn't occur to me to go to a Swedish one. Since this attitude is odd in either culture, It counts as mad. No matter. I'm mad.

A person is supposed to have 8 fingers. I don't count thumbs. I have a little less than 8, but not much less. 7.99 maybe. I finally went to the Vardcentral to get my work checked over. The nurse said it was a good job. The wound looks worse than it is. If you rip a nail off the bed it isn't going to look nice. She thinks the nail will grow back given 4 months. There isn't much I can't do with one and a half hands, apart from picking my nose and that is impolite anyway.

The re-supply Mission

Autumn leaves scattered in Darwin's wake. Clouds of red, gold and brown confetti beneath a blue October sky. I could feel my mood lifting with that feeling of home coming that I get returning here. It's at moments like this that I wish there was a god I could say thank you to. It's so good to be surrounded by mighty trees rather than concrete and traffic, and far too many people. The cargo ship had deposited me on the dockside at Gothenburg on time. Darwin is loaded to the gunnels as usual, but it doesn't matter. 100 miles to Immingham, and another 100 on this side. It's hardly a difficult journey.

The ship delivered the much needed rest, and as it happens great company. Frank 77 also starting a new life in Sweden following the untimely death of his younger wife. So sad. My heart went out to him. We are all like little boats blown by the wind, hoping not to be swamped by a storm. Frank is brave. It beats the alternative.

It was a good trip back to England. Words cannot express the gratitude to friends for the loan of their house while away on holiday. Darwin got his new wheels, MOT (bilprovening) and servicing as planned. Elsa got SORNed. While Darwin was in the shop I went on a shopping expedition to take advantage of UK prices. This was the work I came to do, that and transporting another load of my belongings to my Swedish house. Get the necessary tasks ticked off the list and the enjoyable work of catching up with friends and family could begin. I would not have missed one cup of tea, pint of ale, cake or sofa. My only regret is not being to fit everyone in. Getting to  Uncle Jack's 90th birthday party was a bonus. So pleased to help put a smile on his face for a few hours at least.

I have to wait until January to see those I missed. This aspect of what I am doing is tough. It hurts sometimes. I miss you all. Regrets? None regarding Sweden at all. I need to do this. Any way, it's too late. Rural Sweden has changed me. 

The Robber Barons

Wholesale energy costs are up 1.7%. UK Energy prices went up 10%. The British are being had over! Everyone at the top blames someone else. Company bosses have refused to attend parliamentary committees. High and mighty. They begin to look a lot like the ancient barons to me.

This is toxic to the Tories. A free market only works as long as there is genuine competition. Energy supply is rigged. It's a cartel. A Labour majority in the election in 2 years? Further bloating of the public sector and associated costs, and unfettered immigration to follow. Toss a coin. We seem to lose either way.


Russel Brand predicts a revolution. It appears that he is a comedian after all!

It's raining in the forest today.

The Party Bus

Fat Gay Swedish Elvis was utterly convincing. I can't believe I just wrote that. It was a long night. At nine thirty we had been congratulating ourselves because no one was drunk yet. To be fair though that was at breakfast and we had only just started the first bottle of scotch.

48 of us, the workers from Tandstickstraffen. I was handsomely rewarded for my grill work. The bus chartered to take us to Stockholm had a bar, food, and a toilet. The toilet wasn't working which is why we sensibly switched to shorts :-O. There is much to see in Stockholm, all of which had to wait for another time. We had just a very short afternoon before we assembled to go to the venue for the nights entertainment. Cabaret doesn't do it justice, but that is what it was. The waiters were also the performers. They took us on a journey through the last century of popular music. It was breathtaking to be in the middle of it all. Very clever indeed.

The show over, the tables were pushed back for the dancing. The venue was transformed into a 3 story night club in ten minutes flat. Hoards of party goers were queueing to come in. half an hour of that and I was ready to head back to the quiet of the hotel. You can have too much of a good thing. The clocks went back an hour which provided a little extra time to misbehave. Important is to be fit to get onto the bus in the morning, and the motorcycle museum visit.

Eggs and bacon for breakfast, and off to the museum. Catch up on sleep on the bus home. Woke up dribbling but no body noticed. I think I got away with that one. It's good to let your hair down once in a while. Better still is if you can remember where you left your clothes.

Cherokee Wisdom

One evening, an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is evil, it is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

His grandson thought about it for a minute and then he asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins ?"

The old Cherokee replied, "The one you feed."

Darwin 3

The sun is shining, strobing through the trees. Two young Elk don't even look up from grazing on the grass verge in Fagerhult, as we drive by. At last, odd days out to explore my wonderful surroundings. Relocation takes time, money, and energy. 6 Months, sounds about right. One thing I know for sure, I would prefer a quiet year next year, to explore Scandinavia from my base here. No property deals unless I have to.

I remain British, so coming up very shortly is a trip back to Blighty. Darwin only gets 90 days out of the UK on his current domestic insurance. MOT and servicing are due, and the guys at Apollo know what is needed to winterise the Polo for Southern Swedish conditions. The 3rd supply mission is at hand. Roof space is already allocated for the set of summer wheels. Darwin will have his smart new winter boots on for the return journey. Circumstances dictate what else is coming over next. My winter wardrobe for a start. Back in early August, up against it with overloading, I made the decision to leave the winter gear behind. After all I would be back before I need it. Wrong! This location is three weeks further into Autumn than the British Midlands. The trees are turning and look beautiful, but it's cold. Light frosts dust the lawn these mornings, and there is a fire in the grate until the sun clears the trees. Other than my wardrobe, making the journey also is everything else at Sue and Allan's. They have been great accommodating my stuff in a pile in their dining room. I need to give them the room back.

A week and a half and I set out for Goteburg. The trip isn't long enough I now know. I will be back in England again in the new year, and that visit needs to be longer to catch up with friends and family. People ask where is home. I now know the answer. Home is where the heart is, and that is where the people I love and care about are. All of them.

What do I miss about England? Those of my friends and family that live there. Not much else actually. I have my Tea (note the capital I give it). I have English beer that I brew myself. I have found the right bacon. I need stek flesk. Bacon is tissue thin and smoked. Stek flesk is the thick cut, un-smoked stuff with rind that fills the pan with wonderful fat to fry your eggs in! So I'm not even missing the full cooked English. Missing family and friends is a problem I have to address though, starting in two weeks time.

Time to go on mole patrol. The mole hills are huge, and when I fill them with explosives that the Taliban would be proud of, they turn into little volcanoes. Moles can fly. Fun! I tried garlic as advised by a neighbour. Mr Mole senior just threw it out of his hole. Since I switched to Calcium Carbide he doesn't throw stuff so well. I imagine a mole with little hooks like Abu Hamsa. I also check out buildings for mice, resetting the traps. I don't want further grief with Elsa, or my guest cabin beds. Shame I can't nuke the mice also. It would be sort of Blue on Blue in the workshop.

I have amazing views of Vattern from my balcony, or would do if it wasn't for the birch trees. I must not think badly of the birch. It is the best fire wood I am told, and on experience cannot disagree. Hang on, I just had an idea. I have another cunning plan!

 Note:   Do the Americans let Abu keep his hooks? I would swap them for feather dusters. The possibilities for amusement are almost endless. Something to tickle everyone's fancy.

What Happened

9 weeks. Where to begin.

My English house is let and the revenue stream established to fund this adventure. Months of security ahead is not to be sniffed at. It was a slog to get it ready. By the time I came away. I was glad of the 26 hours enforced rest on the container ship I now use to cross the North Sea. Lets do that one! A cabin, a mess room with a well stocked fridge, Quality English tea for the handful of British drivers making the journey with their cargo's. A telly and DVD player, and hot food the same as the crews, twice a day. The invite to view the bridge got a big thumbs up. The bridge of a container ship is absolutely awesome. What a place for a driver at rest to spend a quiet moment or two.

Inflygningfest: I delivered the housewarming party. 33 people, 4 nationalities, having an English garden party, complete with Pimms, canapes, and Crockett. Then the style switched for the evening, and wild boar stakes from the grill. English IPA to wash it all down with. We drank the barrel dry. Thanks to all who celebrated with me. It was an absolute blast. One thing not at all English was that the sun shone all afternoon. Special thanks to Aki and Bo for their help.

Tandstikstraffen: VMCK Jonkoping. The big motorcycle meeting. 700 bikers, rock music, hot dogs and burgers, and a very large grill to man. VMCK is my adopted home. VMCK are professional in what they deliver. A well polished operation. Everything in its place, and everyone at their station, me included as the new guy. I worked the grills slinging out pork steaks like they were hot, which they were! Other than that too many shifts to count, mostly as a porter or runner. Language problem makes me a little like Manuel from Faulty Towers. I will improve with practise.

Elsa:...Will not be Swedish, ever. Sad story for the great big red motorcycle that took me to Nordkapp and back. I started to re-register her Swedish. She failed the inspection. The headlights have to be changed since hers point to the left. The bill, £1000. The dials are in MPH and KPH, but sickeningly only MPH are illuminated. Another £1000. She is dead in the water! Solution? Not yet apart from the obvious. I have to sell her in England, and I need a motorcycle for next season. I'll work the logistics out, but right now I can't handle everything on my plate with this relocation. Elsa got put to the back of the workshop. Our riding season is over. So sad. In a fanciful mood I also imagine Satnav Jane holding her breath because where Elsa goes, she takes Jane. Jane is a BMW Motorad model. My companions are not having a good time just now.

Only Darwin the tough little VW Polo is happy. These twisty forest roads suit him. Right hand drive allows him to hug the verges as the lumber trucks steam around the corners in the middle of the road. Darwin wants a set of big f*** **f Moose lights for his fender. Even my car is trying to go native. Darwin will also never be Swedish but the good news is I can get generic European insurance for him. Actually, I might check out whether I can get that for Elsa. Run her on UK plates a while longer.

That was a quick one. We are up to date. Sorry much detail got lost in the black hole.

   

Coms

9 Weeks of silence on my blog, has irritated. boB is in the PC hospital (Kjells Elektronic Butik, not a hospital where inane euphermisms are used to describe persons of totally equal status who are differently abled, or diverse :-O. I am diverse also, although all in one person, which makes me differently abled, both of us. People are generally who they believe themselves to be, which is not true. We'll talk about cabin fever later. Just now I'm only practising ). boB is full of shit. Not the technical description. Think about how a fly paper collects flys. boB is a bit like that. The little PC is stuffed full of crap that he touched and couldn't let go. Kjell is hoovering it all out of him. Not accurate, but it sort of works.

So here in my Fritidhus (summer house) in the forest, I have fabricated a desk out of a shelf from the Ikea wardrobe I threw in the skip, and a set of Ikea draws I bought to replace it. I'm writing on the steam driven PC from my English house, with a very slow mobile broadband dongle plugged into it. Speed of light this is not. Kjell is also providing a high speed router and a means to pay tomorrow. My EU Coordination number is Ok for paying tax, but won't get you services or payment plans. Basically I open a vein every time I need a big ticket item!!

Let's be positive. I now have a 3D Smart telly screwed to the wall, and 4G broadbend tomorrow hopefully. The little Stuga (guest cabin) is converted to take 4 drunken motorcyclists. I strengthened the roof ready for snow. Money is starting to flow in from England. My agent took payment for 6 months rent on my English house, and is at last passing me some of it each month. I'm solvent again. I have wild boar in the freezer along with reindeer, and chanterrelle mushrooms to go with it
all. Oh and a bucket load of crayfish. England this is not. That bit of my cunning plan worked then.

Less excitable post when I get used to having it back. "Normal service will be resumed shortly".

Oh, and I have a 6'1", blond, blue eyed Swedish girl friend who thinks I'm funny.

Hello

 

Journeys

When a person leaves they leave a hole. Some people leave a bigger hole than others. Some play a small role in your life, and then surprise you with the impact of their leaving.

Geoff. Sorry I missed you mate. I hope you find your way home OK.

Geoff Brown 1953 - 2013

Returning from the Dark Side.

No Access for a month. I am so crap with computers. boB has errors that need fixing. I'll figure it out.

This steam driven desk top also has errors to fix. Drives me nuts.

Home for two weeks to clear my stuff from my English house. The good news is that this is bacause I have tenants lined up to move in shortly. I have much to do, and severe time constraints.

Watch this space!

The Last Ride

Midsommer, flowers on the graves of friends,
The quiet heartache that never ends.

"Familiar faces missing this year"

Safe onward journey Bengt. May your wheels always stay on the black stuff.

Midsommerfest 2013

Preparing the site for the big day, the evening before, was followed with a grill party. A great way to kick off what is here in Sweden a big festival. This is my forth Midsommerfest. It's three years since I used the VMCK campsite to break my journey to Nordkapp. The hospitality I enjoyed on that occasion is the begining of a journey that seems to have moved me here. It really proved the point. Be nice to strangers, they might be friends you haven't met yet.

Why do I do it? Thursday night was another oportunity to get a hang over. Even a small one is unwelcome and totally self inflicted. maybe that was why I took it easy at the big event. The sun shone on Friday morning, but as you would expect, it clouded over as dinner time approached. Still it delivered that time out of time feeling that Brits might be familiar with, with Christmas. The sun shone through occasionally and prompted me to take my beer to the cliff top to gaze out over Vattern. The view gets me every time. The lake is huge. Vattern draws me back here, where ever I go. Sorry I don't have a picture. I don't like to do Midsommer through the lens of a camera. I use a camera to infrequently that it would just be an opportunity to leave my camera somwhere and forget it. Smart phones. It get it! When I have another revenue stream on line I will want one.

Many familiar faces were missing this year. The weather has an effect for sure. I may not have got hammered this time, but today always feels an anti-climax. A quiet weekend now I think. Maybe a ride out on Elsa tomorrow. We shall see.

Thanks to Ernst and Liela for letting me share their cabin this year. A warm and comfortable bed is always appreciated.

Hökensås

I got plenty done in between visitors, mainly grass cutting. 2000m2 imposes it's own maintenance regimes. Robi arrived after his long drive from Zurich, loaded to the hilt. He is having a 9 day vacation based at my place. I can't think of anything he didn't bring. Unloading was amazing!

Bratworst grill up on top of the rocky outrcrop above my place, with views of lake vattern in the distance. As good as his word he found time to help me with the construction work in my guest cabin. So much sunshine with a cold beer to hand.

The whole point of my location is it's proximity to Hökensås nature reserve and sports fishing. It rained, which is good I am told. Nothing on the first day anyway. The next morning our luck changed. The views alone make the fishing worth while. A Salmon Trout big enough to feed 6, really nailed it though. It was Robi's catch no surprise. It was worth the soaking we got. I did the honours with the filleting knife and pin boning. We ate well that night consuming half of the big fish. The other half I smoked using PG Tips Tea and brown sugar. It worked!

We ate enough not to need breakfast the next morning. Lunch at Taberg was timely and tasty though. Prawn salad from the high balcony, looking down at Jonkoping to the north in the distance. Taberg is a very large rock (doesn't do it justice) left behind by the retreating ice some 8 thousand years ago (I think that's right). Be aware I often fall short of Wikipedia accuracy !!

Saturday night Robi cooked a traditional Swiss fondue. Bodil joined us for dinner. The lightning struck at around 10. I heard later that it took out landline telephone services. It also nearly took out me! I turned a tap on at the wrong moment and got flung against the wall. A visit to the local medical centre confirmed what I already knew. I had survived it! Cats have 9 lives. I certainly have a few myself. I used up 1 last year in the autobahn pile up. Saturday I had another lucky escape I think. The strike was indirect, through the metal pipework and running water. Don't try this out of curiosity please. Take my word. It hurts like hell.

Sunday afternoon we had a Paella party so I had an audience and a new story. Sorry about that, and thanks for your patience with an over excited Englishman whose hair stands on end.

Robi left yesterday so it must be time to cut the grass again. Thank you for your company my friend. Safe journey home.

I'm also keen to hear how my Swedish biker friends got on with their Bornholm trip. I sat this one out. Money is running like water just now. Bank statements are also capable of delivering shocks! Plastic is far too easy.

A Wounded Land

Here the sun shines. The Swedish flag hangs limp in the warm still air.

In London two African boys with hearts full of hate cut the head of a young British soldier. I worry that in doing so they may have opened the gates of hell.

All of Europe watches. There but for the grace of god.......................

Is it possible that apart from some really neat gadgets, humanity has learned nothing in a thousand years?

The New Deal

The black Renault disappeared down the track, friends waving as they left. Bo followed soon after and the washing machine went on.

"Can I cut your grass please". If only all friends asked that question. Allan looked to be having a fine time indeed. The angle the sit on mower was travelling at as it traversed my plot was insane. I hope to god he doesn't fall off. While Allan trundled around on the big orange machine I hauled the black and decker mower up and down the slopes close to the house. It isn't self propelled. Propulsion is my job. Job done we took the sandwiches Sue had made, up to the communal grill area, to take in the panaramic view of Vattern that passes for ordinary here. after lunch I got Darwin the Polo out for a tour of the immediate area. Gustav Adolf is tiny, and picture postcard pretty. The supermarket in Habo got the first of several visits, as did the hardware store. Having ran out of grass to cut we are ready to brave the strimmers, once we have two stroke oil.

Friends visiting from England and elsewhere is a joy. That so many want to come and spend time here is very nice indeed. The thing I worried about most is the loss of company with old established friendships. I need the patience of Swedish friends while I settle in. More time to play later. I promise.

The rent a room solution for the Warwickshire house isn't going to work. The revenue problem isn't going to go away. It has to be fixed. I had to make a decision. Having got a valuation on my UK home it is time to bite the bullet. The sale price suggested is disappointing. I would just about break even if I sold. That makes it easier. The house is valuable from a rental point of view, and there is demand for such a property. I will rent it out and live in Sweden for now. I was thinking of over wintering already. Now it will soon be a done deal. Renting the place out I keep my place in the UK housing market, and also the right to return with sufficient notice, should I need to. I will not know for sure how I feel about life in Sweden until I have my first winter under my belt. I think Vitared could be bleak midwinter. Bring it on. Let's see how it goes.

Tonight was the Vitared AGM. We own and manage our own roads and water supply. I understood the annual financial report, and the voting to fill the offices of the committee. A lot I couldn't follow. That will improve.

Elsa sits in her workshop. She doesn't care.

Jag ar hem for nu! Underbart! 

A Ferry To Catch

Thanks to the professional criminals who cloned my bank card and emptied my account. I hope your dicks fall off! My wonderful bank (No irony. I like my bank) stopped the card and will sort the mess out after the bank holiday. In the mean time it's beans on toast, and strong tea until I get back to Sweden where I have a card I can get cash with.

The run up to Immingham was cold late in the evening. Elsa is loaded to the hilt. I cannot waste an oportunity to transport personal belongings. The docks are for freight. I'm travelling on a container ship for a change. On arrival it is very cold. There is no passenger terminal because there are no passengers. The staff took pity on a frozen biker, 'phoned the bridge, and I got the thumbs up to make my way down to the ship for loading.

Bike secured I was excorted to the drivers suite. A corridor with maybe 20 cabins, an mess room stocked with food to serve yourself, cold cuts, cheese, bread, biscuits and fruit. There are maybe 12 drivers including myself, so you pretty much get to know everyone. The meals were simple and very good. 26 hours on a cargo ship provides time to rest, and read. After a stressful visit to England my first priority was sleep. 2nd priority was some studying. I may be heading towards a buy to let property portfolio. It's just an idea at the moment. That is what the study is for. I need new revenue streams. Apparently my retirement is coming to an end for a while.

Disembarcation and an unfamiliar dock to negotiate. Commercial only so I don't know the system. There is a first time for everything. Out onto the Goteburg motorway network heading east. If you go wets you get wet. 2 hours fresh as a daisy and I'm home in Vitared. The grass didn't wait for me. It's 8 inches high.

I have to hustle, Allan and Sue are hot on my heals on the Birmingham - Goteburg flught. Roll Elsa into her new workshop, change into civilian clothes, grab Darwin's keys and head for Habo for provisions. Back to the ranch and grass cutting. All of it is not possible. I have an acre. I made a start. Three hours to go so just enough time to drop in on Bo' to say hello goodbye, see you later. Riding back through the forest, sunlight strobing through the trees. There is a Krane (big lanky bird, just in case my spelling has gone awry) in among the grain. I pristine lake to my left reminds me why I am here, and makes me smile. I love this place. House guests arriving, wanting tea before the guided tour. It's amazing how much catching up is required, even after only 2 days. Penguins socialise this way you know. "Do you like herrings?" "Yep. Do you?" "Yep". "Bye". "Bye".

  

The Day Job

"I am sure the English fortnight will write it's own story as journeys always do."

The purpose of this trip is to fetch Elsa. I also have a dentist, solicitor and barber to see. I have much socialising planned, but I have an unexpected job to do urgently. I need a new lodger. I've worked fast and diligently. Thanks to more experienced friends for help and advice. You know who you are. mondaytofriday.com specialise in weekday only lets for professionals under the government rent a room scheme. There will be other avenues to try, but this one is fast. Pictures taken, advert composed, submitted and approved, so just waiting for publication, and the phone to ring. Managing this from Sweden will take patience and work, but it is what I do. I'm firing on all barrels, so the only stress is a revenue stream that will dry up very soon. I won't starve. The roe deer back in the forest might start to look very tasty upon my return.

The room rental under control, no time to loose, I better get on with preparing Elsa. It is so good to be riding the lanes of Warwickshire with her. She isn't grumpy with me for my roving eye, which strayed towards some very handsome Triumph motorcycles on Tuesday. I can dream!

On my profile it says something like "work? Only is I get cold or hungry". I'm looking for work in Sweden!

Yowtaboy!

They call Goteburg Little London and I get it. Failed pubs in the UK have been ripped out, shipped and installed here. Walk through the doors and it could be London, or occasionally Manchester. English pub culture is fashionable. The even have Angram hand pumps and good English beer shipped across the North Sea. £7 a pint (and it is often a pint) is a reality check though. Welcome to Swedish beer prices.

The gang got together Saturday night. Anders and Maria hosted the pre dinner drinks party at their place, then two car loads, new girlfriends, baby et al, to the park for al fresco dining. Once the sun comes out in Gothenburg in the Spring, the Swedes stay out  doors as long as possible. Outside areas at restaurants and bars have brightly coloured blankets draped over the backs of the chairs, and by 8 o'clock we are using them, as does everyone else. Back at Anders and maria's place to finish the night off, and it sort of got away from us a little. Sunday morning was slow...........

......But not slow enough to prevent the "hair of the dog that bit you" beer from turning into a Yotaboy pub crawl. Did we see the city in the tourist quarter? Of course we did. The pubs have windows! Just to give you some idea of how hard it is for a Brit to get his head around Swedish language, Yowtaboy is my frenetic spelling of Goteburg, according to how it is said. Would you have guessed that from "Goteburg"? I struggle.

Monday was a lazy day but the three of us did get out to a local castle. Dark, chilly weather around the kitchen and cottage gardens, and into the coffee shop with heart warming aromas. The Scandinavians really do pastries and cakes, and the coffee was good. I don't often drink it. It's generally too strong for me. This was good, and OK, if you see what I mean.

Anders drove me to Landvetter airport. I offered my hand, but I got a bear hug. "Swedish way please", the big guy said. I made my way to check in for BMI's inaugural flight to Birmingham. I am crossing paths with my friend Graham from England, who is flying in for a training course. Bizarrely it is Coventry that we will link up next week. We just couldn't make a Goteburg meet up happen.

We got the works. BMI laid on champagne and cake. The press snapped away. Brass made nice speeches and cut ribbons, cameras clicked, and this first flight left on time, with a positively party atmosphere. I thoroughly recommend this Birmingham - Goteburg service which is pitched above budget airline and below regular big carriers. It costs maybe £10 more for the ticket than their budget rival, but hold luggage and on board refreshments are included, and some changes are allowed even on the cheapest ticket.

Pick up by Allan and Sue went like clockwork. I couldn't get them on the phone, but know them well enough to know that means they are already on their way. Arrival at my English house felt strange indeed, but tomorrow is another day. 

Fetching Elsa

My month set up visit is over. I acheived everything I wanted to with the exception of the guest cabin. That job is more involved than I expected. The ceiling needs to come down to make way for tall visitors. Once I cut into it I may well open a can of worms. Other than that "Peace Cottage" as I've come to think of it, is ready for the summer season. Patio furniture would be nice and I have the July sales firmly in my sights. "Sommer Ria" in Swedish I think.

So hard to leave just now. Swedish friends are right. Spring is the best season. It is fast , urgent even, and very much alive. The little white flowers are called vitsips I think. You couldn't fit any more onto the meadows and forest slopes. It's wonderfully insane just how many there are. When I get back my acre of grass will be high and it will be my first time with the little tractor mower. Not so little actually. With the slopes, getting the job done without turning it over will be an achievement, but that is for another day. I am preparing to leave. It feels like going away for a two week holiday. Are both places home? Is home where your heart is, or your assets, or your motorbike? Just one month i've been here. In some ways it feels longer. 

I have a work morning here before Anders and Maria arrive to take me back to their place in Goteburg. I can give the community a couple of hours of my labour before leaving. I want to do my part in all of the communities I live in, time and commitments permitting. Saturday I'm out with the Goteburg crowd, catching up and drinking beer I would imagine. It will be good to see them all for sure.

Monday evening the plan is that Maria drives me to Goteburg Landvetter Airport for my evening flight to Brum, where Allan and Sue will retreave me and deposit me at my English home. The purpose of the trip is to fetch Elsa. I have her booked onto a cargo ferry in two weeks time. I will travel with her and live with the truckers for 26 hours. I have to secure the bike myself, which is actually not new. Loadies walk away on passenger boats. No one wants the bill if a motorbike falls over. All that is different is I have to bring my own straps which are quite bulky. I am sure the English fortnight will write it's own story as journeys always do.

Friends and family to see. That bit I am looking forward to.

A Room With a View

Two and a half weeks here and the season changed. It hung on tenaciously but the snow went away eventually. Just two weeks and the slopes are carpeted with small white flowers. If fresh air smells of anything, this is it. My furniture faces the wood burner. Perfectly sensible for a cold winters night. It's facing the wrong way. Turn around and just look at the tree tops bathed in evening sunshine. The forest so lit goes on for miles. The sun also illuminates the hills on the other side of Vattern. Granna is over there and when the sun goes down, and the lights go on, it looks fantastic. You have to walk to the communal grill place for the best views, then you can see Lake Vattern and Jonkoping in the distance. My sun deck has these views also, and step out there and you get the sounds as well. Bird song and little else. Vitared is a sleepy place, certainly at the moment.

Over the weekend people arrived to carry out spring cleaning on their weekend retreats, ready for the new season. Will this place still be so peaceful when the summer people are in residence? I imagine these are the best days. We shall see.

2000Msqr takes some looking after. I will not go short of work to do. I put in a day just dead heading plants and cutting back to make way for this seasons growth. Another day tomorrow should do it. I wheeled out the sit on grass cutter and tried starting it up. I had plenty of battery even after a long hard winter. It cranked over but still wouldn't fire up. I'm not understanding and I never had one of these machines before. I put it away because it was eating into other urgent jobs, and the grass isn't going to need cutting for a couple of weeks yet. Choke? Is there a fuel tap I missed? Tomorrow is soon enough.

The Scandinavian evenings really draw out at this time of year. We must have 2 hours more day light now than the UK. The sun goes down behind the hill and the shadow stretches ever further towards Vattern. Soon my view will be forground only, once the birch have their leaves. I'll loose Vattern until the autumn I imagine.

We explored Hökensås nature reserve just 5 miles (UK) away. Dozens of fishing lakes that deliver just what you imagine Sweden should look like. They are the kind of views that end up on the lids of boxes of chocolates. Miles of hiking trails to explore another day. The queue for service in the fishing shop was long. I didn't need to speak to anyone to get maps and info' in Swedish, English and German. Robi arrives in four weeks, driving from Zurich for fishing and to hang out as guys do.

Before he arrives I will fetch Elsa from England. I have a packed programme. The first weekend is in Goteburg with Anders and crew. Time to catch up. Anders has ferried me from Jonkoping to the airport in Goteburg several times. I am endlessly grateful for his support on the journey that brought me here. Then it's home to blighty to catch up with friends and family that I miss. The trip also includes motorcycle servicing and testing, dentists, solicitors and the barbershop, then on to Immingham to load Elsa on to the frieght ferry for Goteburg. Sue and Allan are coming over and I am literally racing on ahead to get home before they arrive. Their schedule puts them just 12 hours behind me. I nearly wrote that life is hectic right now, but that is not true. I'm sitting in my window gazing at the view of Vattern between spurts of writing this post. It doesn't come much better than this.

I can't purchase a television package without the personnummer I'm waiting for. A blessing in disguise.

Coordination Number

A serious post for any EU citizen needing to reside in Sweden part time.

You cannot even buy a pay as you go mobile phone here unless you have a personnummer. That is a social security number. You can't get an electricity supply without one. That help manage immigration I imagine. If you are an EU citizen from one of the other member states, and your main country of residence is not Sweden, you are entitled to a Coordination number that does the same as the personnummer. The other part of the criteria for a coordination number is that you are not working here and therefor not a Swedish tax payer. Don't be put off. A coordination number appears to be easy to get if you are entitled (let me confirm when mine arrives in the post).

I went to the Jonkoping Tax office to request my coordination number. It is not an application because if entitled the provision of one is not in question. I was however at the wrong office. Everything I do revolves around the excellent city of Jonkoping. Everything except where I actually live. I crossed over into the next county by a British mile and a half. I should have been in the Tidaholm office. NO problem! They all end up in the same place and since you are here now I might as well do it for you. !! Can you imagine that happening in the UK? I don't speak Swedish (much) so could not fill in the one page form. No problem, the lady just helped me fill it in. The whole process from entering the building to leaving took 20 minutes. I'm staying on in Jonkoping for this evening. Spring celebrations to attend. A brass band outside the church then a bonfire and fireworks. Drive the winter back. Shame it is so bloody cold! Sorry, miserable little English man.

Today is Labour day and if I understand correctly there is trouble in Jonkoping city centre. A rally got over heated and curb stones were hurled through office windows. Did I understand that one correctly? VMCK this evening. With a day off and sunshine, Ernst and crew dusted down the bikes and went for a ride out. I'm very jealous. Darwin doesn't care.

Mole Patrol

I have 2000Msq of land. Half of that is mole hills! I haven't mentioned it until now but it has driven me nuts. I have researched the habits of moles. This devastation could be the work of just one individual. I also have a resident badger (gravling). Badgers my info says, eat moles. So why doesn't my badger eat the bloody mole instead of staring at ME through the window each night? The answer came to me over a large scotch whisky. I had a eurika moment. The size of the mole hills must be the clue. They are absolutely huge. Answer? The mole is an absolute monster! He would have to be. That is why the badger is scared of him. Actually now I'm scared of him. I go out on mole patrol with my shovel half expecting the giant mole to burst out of my lawn and attack me.

I need to get out more.

Broadband is definitely, totally dead, so I had no choice but to go looking for the shop. It's a long journey and the problem took some finding. The sim was buggered. Technical term! I got a new sim, drove back to the forest and here I am writing rubbish when I should be working.....................

Things to do, moles to catch.

Hell Rain

There is still old snow hanging around in cold shady corners here in Vitared. Spring is trying to arrive definitely, but winter is stubburn up here. The sun was shining when I got home on Saturday afternoon, and I was in good spirits. Bodil, Ernst and Liela for company Friday evening and this morning, then a slow drive back via Habo and a rece' of XL Habo for iron mongery. I have little projects all over the place at my place. Coffee with Uncle Osten and home in the sunshine. That is when I had the idea of exploring the tracks to the north of my place. It doesn't say "Here there be Dragons!" on the map so what is the harm? I'm used to tracks through the forests these days. I'm not put off. Darwin, Jane and I went exploring. A branch blown off a birch tree partially blocked the track at one point, but it didn't stop me getting 3 miles (english miles. 4.5 km maybe) into the swamp though. I think there were a couple of clues there I should have given some thought to. A game bird similar to a very large grouse flew low to one side of me. I looked it up later. I can't remember to spell the name, but I'll write it as Kappercailie. I'll correct that sometime. The little Polo coped well with the rough terrain, up a hilll, great view!, then down the other side. A whole birch tree was down at this point. I got out of the car to try and shift this one as well. The wind got up a bit and the sky had gone black. That was when the that feeling of "maybe I should head on back" seeped into my conciousness. I was reluctant to give up. I sort of felt that if I kept going north I'd pop out onto the highway from Mullsjo to Falkoping eventually. Then the hail arrived. It pelted the little car like a battery of machine guns. Yikes that was loud! My retreat through the rapidly whitening landscape was tense, the situation utterly transformed in just a few short minutes. As I crawled into the drive back home the hail petered out and the sun shone again. I decided to stay at home the rest of the afternoon and surf the net.

Broadband stopped working again. I thought maybe it was the storm, but even once it had passed I still had no connection although the device was showing a reasonably strong 3G signal. Strange. There was actually correspondance I was expecting. Important stuff, so I decided to go and try the coffee shop at Hokensas Camping. I was sure I'd get a signal out there, and if not  hopefully wifi for the price of a strong coffee. It turns out they don't have free wifi. It's on a camp site. You have to buy broadband at reception and they are closed. The new restauranter, Aiden, is a nice guy and had a solution. Swedish people are good at solving problems and cooperating, is my observation. Aiden let me use his Android as a hot spot and I got my emails. And yes there was important correspondance needing replies, so half an hour and a coffee and the job was done for now. The question remains why didn't my broadband work.

Aiden is young and an imigrant to Sweden himself. He is also a bit of a philosopher. He wanted to know my story. An englishman out in the middle of nowhere before the start of the season, in his little British car. I gave him the headlines. A new life he concluded. Probably I agreed. Then he shared an idea. "You know, if a house plant isn't doing well on a window sill at home, my wife moves it to another window sill and often that is all that was needed for the plant to thrive". Aiden, that was so cool. Thank you very much. Indeed I personally seem to be much happier and healthier this past three weeks.

Sunday I went to the Fuzz Guitar Show in Gothenburg with Ernst. He wants a new guitar kanske? I went along for the ride. I don't play although like many boys, I dabbled as a teenager. If a funny looking, geeky teenage boy wants to meet girls, a guitar is one way to do it. How to try a new guitar at a show where everyone else is also trying a new guitar? No solution. The guys selling and demonstating agreed. The side shows are good. Black American blues artist Eric Bibb and Staffan Astner were absolutely brilliant. They were worth the ticket price on their own. Ernst didn't get a guitar, but went home with new strings. he also didn't get a parking ticket. We did get pizza and then coffee with his son Markus, and then the long drive home. His offer to sort out my broadband back at his place was not to be turned down. That the sucker beat Ernst was worrying. My broadband died! I cadged the use of his wifi to catch up before a night time drive through the forest back to my place.

A word to those unfamiliar with Swedish country roads. I have already said the wildlife comes out at night. Be careful on forest roads. On the 8 mile stretch from Habo to Vitared 2 row deer ran out in front of me. They are frisky at this time of year and running about like crazy. Bed and sleep. Bliss.     

Dark and Stormy

My first week in Vitared has been "interesting". Straight off we got a storm. Branches came down, and so did my broadband. No signal for 30 hours. I tried hard to ignore the weather and get on with what I could get on with, but weather is everything. If your not sure about that and subscribe to the old saying "there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes", check your mood the next time it is dark and stormy. We get the blues in winter and that is no coincidence. Finally the sun shone and the weekend arrived. With down time I had no excuse not to get tidy, and was heartily sick of housework when Saturday "Tea time" rolled around.

The problem with cleaning a house is that you do it, and 6 months later you have to do it again!!

I am getting together with Ernst, Christian and Bertil for the evening. They have been planning the VMCK Kulture Touring for August. It's a mystery tour by motorcycle that includes a cultural element, and a stop over somewhere for the night. I will do that one. They guys finished their secret plans at a secret meeting at a secret location. As I arrived at Ernst's place they had just finished and put their books away.

Ernst can seriously cook. His creamy beef recipe (don't know any better to call it),was absolutely wonderful. Then for the evening their was grog to drink and rubbish to talk. As the grog goes down our conversation gets deep and meaningful. Still talking rubbish actually. I have a stop over to sleep off the booze, and home again in the morning, in the sunshine. Vitared is transformed with nice weather, even if my lousy mobile signal isn't. There is a 4G mast locally. I just need to find out who the operator is.

Tuesday Bodil and her sister Helena came over for tea. Helena had been busy baking. Scones, lemon cake, and a very posh smoked salmon open sandwich. She found my Beatles records, so tea time was positively surreal it was so English. Folkoping and the cheese market yesterday, and their all you can eat cheese buffet lunch. I had all I could eat.

Driving North up between the 2 big lakes we leave the forest and climb onto the Oster Gotland plain. Higher altitude and weather to match. Bleak farmland in the rain today, but at least I am exploring. Sue and Allan visit in a few weeks and I want a couple of places to take then in my back pocket.

I have cheese, and as of last night a schedule of motorcycle club activities for the season. I can sort my diary (it's actually a very "A retentive" wall year planner) now. Today is more Ikeaing. That is a new verb I made up, appropriate to my main activity just now.

eg: "Doctor, I am not Ikeaing well  at the moment". "How long have you had the symptoms Kevin?". "Since the storm arrived". "Ahh, I see. I think you will find that you will Ikea again perfectly normally given a few days of nice weather. Do you have all the furniture and stuff you need?" "No, and I have visitors in a few weeks!". "There you are then. You will be fully Ikead in due course then I am sure. You are just suffering from Ikea stress. Your credit card is probably maxed out just now. It will recover given rest".

Dark and Stormy is also a great cocktail from Bermuda. Black rum with ginger beer. Tastes great and the hangover matches the name also!

Note to self: Put black rum, ginger beer, and alka seltzer tablets on the shopping list!  

Day 1 at Vitared

Sitting in the dark gazing into the flames of a log fire with relaxing music filling the room. I sip my red wine alone and try to think of nothing. I need to calm down ready to sleep, which is not always easy. My mind wonders and my eyes drift to my new garden at night. Herr Fredriksson worked wonders with light. Strategically placed, illuminating and enhancing, otherwise there would be nothing to see. I am content. My house is cosy. The day finished well in the end. The washing machine worked with water in it and everything. Eventually I got the door open without using a crow bar. Today was a day of many phases. Was it really only 1 day?

I packed my bags and left Boa's cottage. She was already at work so I'll speak to her later on, during this day that seemed to last a week. Before I left though I checked my overburdened credit card status. My mid month payment had hit the account. I am solvent again. At that moment I realised I could now attempt to book passage from Immingham Hull, to Goteburg for Elsa. The sooner the better. I need to get organised. It's a cargo vessel. If this works out it will save me hundreds. Application form filled in and sent. The cargo is Elsa. Finally I left, heading for a super market to stock my larder and 'fridge. First though I tanked the car. Nice to refuel after a week, rather than 6 hours!

Sunshine as I drove through the forest up to Vitared. I've made the journey every day to work on the place. Today is different, I'm finally moving in. It's 8 months since I initially viewed the property, 4 and a half since I completed the purchase. For 3 months Linus and Monica have kept an eye on it for me while I slogged at the modernisation project on the house in England. My land is still white with old snow though the temperature is raising into double figures. The weekend hauling a trailer and half of Ikea up the hill, was winter. Today is definitely spring. Footprints in the snow show that I have had a visitor. I know cat prints when I see then now, and this is a very large one. My visitor is a lynx coming directly to my back door. Has he been fed here?

I spent the morning unpacking and transferring my clothes and stuff to the wardrobes. While it is still cold I'll use the smaller upstairs bedroom next to the open plan main room and  it's log fire. The basement level is chilly and I don't need to spend to heat it. Upstairs is enough for a single guy. By the time I was done it was almost time to head off for my appointment at my bank in Tidaholm. They have a domestic account ready for me. I have been busy. There is a spare 20 minutes before I leave. Just enough time to cock up the use of the washing machine. I've seen friends do this. Complicate the present with an unfamiliar task that would best wait until you have time to figure it out. Please don't misunderstand. I do use washing machines in England. Would you believe Swedish ones are plumbed in differently? With instructions in Swedish and only 15 minutes before I need to leave, I am reduced to the "poke and hope" method. Just push buttons and turn knobs until something happens. The machine made noise so sort of content (???) I left for Tidaholm.

The bank in Tidaholm are every bit as efficient and friendly as the Tamworth branch back home. They have my card ready, and will pay some bills for me until I'm up and running. (Note to self. Thank the Tamworth team for all that they have done to ease me into this painlessly). If only British banks were like this. No premium rate enquiry numbers or Indian call centres here. UK take note! I know my way home so no need to switch Satnav Jane on. Except apparently I don,t and the forest is very big. I didn't know I was lost for quite some time. Unfamiliar houses alerted me. I'm not late home because I didn't have a time to be back. Dinner is A grill at VMCK tonight so I have time to spare. Remember the story of the race between the Tortoise and the Hare?

Back to Vitared and my washing machine. Although I can't open the door it is apparent the machine didn't wash my clothes. Trying to understand the Swedish instructions I chose a promising programme (In England I just bung everything together and put in on number 4. It seems to work). I stood and watched as the machine happily went through its electro mechanical 1980's routine without adding water. It wheezed and coughed as I traced pipework to find where the water should come from. I gave up and switched it off. They are showing "The Long Way Round" with Ewan McGreggor and Charley Boorman at the motorcycle club house. I'll do that instead, except maybe I'll have just one more go at the washing machine!

Where did the time go? I missed the grilled sausages! The film was good. I din't stay late. I had a washing machine that won't wash my clothes or give them back, waiting for me at home. Bloody machine!

On the hot and cold mixer on a Swedish sink is an extra little tap. Its the supply to the washing machine. You don't know what you don't know. I switched on the water supply and hit the button again. The old machine gurgled appreciatively as it filled. Yipee! Clean clothes soon! I put some music on and got a cup of tea as it went through it's cycle. It finished but the bloody door won't open. I pushed and pulled. I went away, came back, and pushed and pulled some more. At no point did it occur to me to turn the electricity to the old bugger off! I gave up for the day and for safety sake turned of the power. Click!

Glass of wine in hand, soothing music in the background, gazing into the fire, trying to think of nothing. Maybe I'll keep it to myself that a washing machine nearly beat me today. I won't tell if you don't.

Blunder!

I haven't spoken on the subject of the death of our Iron lady last week. I haven't had much time for British politics, and that is what it is. I started to write a post condemning the crass partying and singing, in effect dancing on the old lady's grave. Despite that fact that I didn't like her I find the footage of the black festivities low life in the extreme. Sickening in fact.

That said I have a serious concern. If the Conservative party are so in thrall to their dear departed leader that they think a funeral to match Winston Churchill's is appropriate, they will deserve their place on the opposition benches in two years time for their gross incompetence as politicians. Make no mistake, I do not wish them to lose the next general election. Quite the opposite. It is their total inability to gauge the public mood that is annoying me. It's the same blindness that they have with the 45p tax band. The maths might work for tax receipts, but it is the maths of an election they should have their eye on. You can implement nothing from the opposition benches. I seriously believe that we may be about to witness a political car crash in slow motion.

What the hell are the LibDems doing allowing this? Get a grip and stop this folly. If the Conservative Party want to fund it from their own coffers, so be it, but not from our much burdened taxes.

I for one will not watch. I have a seriously bad feeling about this forthcoming event.

Mushunter

Pyse the cat is sleeping, so I decided to take his job as mouse hunter. Pyse was not impressed.

Ikea

There are days when nothing you do goes right. Thankfully today wasn't one of those.

It had to happen. The big Ikea shop. Having checked out all furniture possibilities to set up my summer house, Ikea wins hands down. The logistics looked difficult. bedding that includes 8 mattresses was always going to be a big load. Daniel is available to meet us at 11:30 at Ikea. Ernst is helping out with his volvo, despite great vehicles, neither has a trailer. The Polo is just not big or strong enough for the job. Unless they cleared the roads at Vitared there is still the problem of the hill.

09:45 at Ernst's place and he takes me to the local filling station who rent out trailers. The trailer he has in mind looks like a caravan without windows, complete with ramp. A seriously big trailer for about 40 quid for 4 hours. We hitch it to his Volvo and head for Ikea on a Saturday morning.

I have the typed list of goods for the warehouse man, from Wednesday's recon'. Picking from rack to rack fills 4 big trolleys. Two mattresses to each of 2 trolleys. Bunk bed mattresses are compressed rolls. The whole lot went into the trailer, no need for Daniel's pick up, so we gave him the day off. Yes Ernst and I can manage. ???????

Volvo + trailer + hill + snow = Interesting

Ernst and the big strong Swedish car are magic. It wasn't an easy manouvre for either, but the job got done. Unfortunately we couldn't get it onto my property, so blocked the lane for half an hour. The beds and cupboards are heavy. Flat pack does not reduce weight. Why the hell did we give the young guy the day off. Ernst is old. At least 6 months older than me! Stuffed git dropped into the areas it is needed and then we left. Ernst decided to go over the hill and down the step side. I went quiet. Me no likey!

We got the trailer back within the 4 hours. I thanked Ernst and left him to his afternoon. Mine involved a plate of meatballs, a glass of red wine, and an exhausted schnoozle. I am very tired, and so is my credit card.
  

The Uphill Freestyle Slalum

"I am unstoppable just now." What utter bollocks that was!!

Winter sports Vitared style. The journey over was "interesting". It is easy to be wrong footed. It's 12 April and I'm just going over to my place to clear snow. There was a clue in there somewhere. "Snow". White slippy slidey, cold stuff. In the Arctic in the summer three years ago I was cautious. A litttle warning bell went off in my head as I drove into the forest and the snow got heavier. It wasn't the sleety stuff any more. It was now proper snowing in a very snowy way. Give it another two hours and it would get positively Scandinavian.

"Was Scandinavia ever part of the British Empire Carruthers old chap?"
"Not that I know of sir. No Tea you see. Too cold".
Ahh. That would be right".
"Why do you ask sir?"
"Not important old boy but we seem to have lost that idiot engineer Winterburn in the woods. Drives on summer tyres you know...................."

I got a good run up at the hill, but the bend slowed me down, then I started to slide, quite a bit. My momentum took me over the first crest, and I gave it a little more gas the next time. I made the turn into Ringvagen OKish but there is a problem. I can't park at my place without burying Darwin! I had to go past and with a sinking "I need a toilet" feeling realised that if I didn't stop then turn around, I was going down the other side which I imagine is now a down hill slalom course for a hapless Brit. I had to think while moving. Tricky for the male brain. I remembered a turning space and found it. Back past my place, beaten I was heading back to Bankeryd mission aborted. I got back as far as the motocross circuit and slowed to a stop. We wouldn't get the pick up in tomorrow. I didn't clear the snow.What ever happened to that British stiff upper lip? It sits just north of a weak and wobbly English chin. I turned around for another go at the Vitared winter hill climb. Mad as an Englishman in the midday Indian sun! This time I used my experience. No points for style but I got to the top OK, and hung a left back into Ringvagen. I had no intention of driving to my house though. No point. My cunning plan was to stop by the post boxes and walk the rest of the way. Summer tyres. Winter boots.

Shovel in hand I manfully made short work of clearing the snow from the whole drive. In my dreams!! It took an hour and a half of huffing and puffing. Honestly I as only shovelling on my knees to get a better angle. That warranted a cup of tea before making my way back out to Bankeryd. The snow fell even heavier. I'll find out tomorrow if I wasted my time.

Meat balls for dinner. Yum!  

Vitared at Last

20cm of snow frozen, thawed, and refrozen nightly. It is still winter at the top of the hill. The roads are clear though, even if my UK summer tyres can't get me onto the drive. We spent all morning unloading Darwin, just dropping stuff to the approximate part of the house it will end up in. Unloading the roof was hard work. The stuff on top is heavy but Boa at 6'1" is a big strong girl so we do OK. She has the day off and for that I am very grateful. Drop completed we took off for Ikea and every other bed store that Jonkoping has to offer. By the end of the day all we had to show for it was a cheese slicer, but I have a list of the beds I want. I am absolutely dog tired tonight. My thanks to Boa for her help, enthusiasm, and company. I had a great time.

Day 2: Pottering around my place setting up my kitchen. Messages backwards and forwards between Ernst and I, and an after work meet up to get the beds order together. It is all coming from Ikea hopefully for collection on Saturday. I have accommodation for 10 at my place, and I'm buying the beds as a job lot. Saturday we will be at the warehouse bright and early, Ernst and I, and Danial with his pick up and trailer. Ikea delivery all the way up to my place in the forest would be £125. While Ernst and I were on a roll we checked out televisions. Black goods appear to be cheaper than the UK. Broadband speeds are higher. Big TV's cost the same as small ones. There is no Freeview television but you can buy card to stick in the back of your telly. I am learning new ways of doing things. I need help. I do not know the stores. Question: If you needed to buy a step ladder as a newcomer to the UK would you recognise B&Q as a hardware store from the outside? What would tell you they had step ladders? There is no clue in the name, or the facade. In fact the racks of plants outside would suggest a garden centre, and you would drive on. That is my problem. You might expect the learning process to be slow. It is not. It is rapid. I have a mountain to climb, fast!

Day 3: Fresh snow falls. Enough already! I have to travel up to Vitared to clear snow to get the vehicles in tomorrow. Welcome to Sweden. Seriously, I am unstoppable just now. I love this place.

Darwin I

The first of three manned missions to set up base camp at Vitared. Sorry I've been reading Mars 1 again. I'm too old for the Mars astronaut programme, but my Swedish adventure suits me perfectly. You know? this new adventure is every bit as exciting as Nordkapp 3 years ago. "Three Steps Forward, On step Back" is a journey. I know that now.

Darwin I is the first car load to go to Vitared to equip my summer house. This time the route is across northern Europe, Two further "missions" are expected. 1 for September then maybe a third in December. We shall see. Allan and Sue waved me off around 10:15. I pulled away slowly mindful of the weight, leaving heating worries behind. I hope the heating system behaves for Mike. Seriously though, this trip started with an excellent visit to Ali and Cara in Melton, Suffolk. A beery sesh in The Anchor in Woodbridge, was a great way to catch up, and prepare to depart. I tried to be polite over dinner. I think I succeeded initially at least. Thanks to both for hosting me until 8pm Sunday and the hour transfer to Harwich and straight onto the ferry for The Hook of Holland. I'm getting to be an old hand at this. I went straight to my cabin and turned in for the night.

The intercom woke me, and after a Gypsies breakfast I went directly to Darwin and climbed into my tiny cockpit amongst my junk. I can see both wing mirrors, which is enough. On disembarkation I switched Jane on to get me clear of Rotterdam and on my way towards Utrecht. Then I let her sleep the long, boring but sunny drive onto the A1, and on towards Hamburg then Lubeck for the night. The journey went like clockwork. No problems from the huge load the little Polo is carrying. German service stations are expensive but very high quality. Salad for lunch with a capachino, then on, and on, and on. I turned Jane on a couple of times when unsure of direction changes. Maybe a total of twenty minutes, conserving her battery. 15 km before Lubeck I let her lead me in to my digs. It was easy getting to the City Ibis. Great prices and a good room for the night. I've used International Hostels in the past and really like the ethics and the people you meet. The thing is that when you are moving fast and long, you don't want to waste energy making your own bed, and cooking your own dinner and washing up.

Another Gypsy breakfast and on to the ferry at Puttgarten. The German Baltic coast is bleak and cold today. Snow hangs on in every sheltered corner. The sunshine is pleasant but weak. This long, long winter continues. I fumbled the unmanned ticket machine, but an efficient German member of staff sorted out my cock up, took my money, and let me embark. The ferry was busy with Balkan guys using vouchers to obtain cut price cigarettes and delay everyone elses breakfast until it all went cold. They get their cigarettes at the check out for the breakfast queue. Not a great system. I left my unpaid for cold coffee next to the Balkan guy with a fist full of vouchers arguing over how many he is allowed, and sauntered off. His face was a picture when he was asked to use 2.5 Euros of the money he had saved to pay for the cold coffee he just created. I have no sympathy or energy for it. I also don't look back. I went and found a quiet coffeeless corner for half an hour.

The drive up through Denmark to the bridge at Olasund (spelling?) takes a couple of hours. Denmark is as cold as Germany, and as sunny. It is a nice winters day (April 9 for God's sake!). The bridge is always impressive. I love it. It brings a smile every time, even at 35 Euros for Darwin. Once over I pull in for Korv med Brod och cafe, and indigestion. I really must leave the hot dogs alone. 3 hours to Jonkoping and the flat open landscape of Skona gives way to forest. I can almost smell the pine resin and home. I'm tired though so another coffee stop and a walk around. Swedish radio to help me stay awake as I near the end of 930 miles door to door. Onto the 26, then the 40, then the 195 and Bankeryd. My first priority is to climb into a soft bed and catch some zeds. Ernst arrived with a smile and a welcome. Good to see the big guy. I slept many hours that night. We did good.    

Intrepid?

Lying in bed waiting. It's 06:25. I'm waiting for the little magician screwed to the wall downstairs to do his magic. Waiting my mind wonders. Sunlight is creeping around the edges of the heavy curtains. It reminds me of the cartoon film The Snowman. In the heavy snow the little boy had built a snowman, and one morning he opened the curtains and his snowman had come to life. It smiled and waved up at him. Inspired I lept from my bed and hurried to the window. I threw back the curtains and there below was a dull grey Volkwagon Polo with a table tied to the roof. Disappointing, until it told me it's name was Darwin. That was a surprise! I thought it would have a German name. Magic isn't what it used to be! Hold on though. The click click clicking of the pipes tells me that the little magician screwed to the wall downstairs has started up the boiler, on time, the house is getting warm! Yipeeee! It works! Pisces boys rock, if that is OK with everyone else, and only if we want to, and we are not always sure we want to.

I've been drinking that very orange orange drink that makes my hyper. Every imaginary friend I ever had arrived after several glasses of this stuff. I don't know what I want for breakfast which bodes ill for the journey ahead. I open the fridge and all it contains is eggs, butter and milk. Omelet and a cup of tea then!

boB is in his new international portable office. He imagines Thunderbird 5 orbiting the earth listening and looking, ready to spring into action. The truth is a nice leather file case from Staples and wifi at McDonalds. If you are not English you don't know what I'm talking about. If you are English you are worrying about my sanity. Hopefully I will find it along the way.

Satnav Jane is coming along this trip. Without her connection to Elsa she is on battery and that is short. I know she will fall asleep at the moment I most need her. The trick is to let her sleep the long boring bits and push the button when we need to find the target.

Vatta?, is writing this rubbish. I'd better go and find Kevin. He'll be saying goodbye to Elsa for five weeks.



The car is loaded and pointed at the road. 1000 miles to go. I know how to do this, it is what I do. The car is heavy. I am so pleased I bought the 1400cc Polo. Cold, snowy, beautiful Sweden awaits. First Woodbridge, Suffolk, great company and a beer. Tomorrow the ferry to The Hook.

T minus 1

Will this cold weather ever end? I'm preparing my car and gear in Winter conditions, not at all what I had imagined. Vitared is still locked in Scandinavian winter. Look at my place below.

Close to departure and Mike due to move in as lodger/house minder, so that would be time for the heating system to threaten to break down! Nothing to do with recent work, but a corroded micro bore feed to a radiator upstairs. I kept the heating on all be it with a bucket catching the drips in the garage. Heart felt thanks to Mick for the repair job after work on Wednesday. There is some air in the system that needs bleeding over the next day or two. I'll leave Mike, Mick's number just in case.

I have a six month period backwards and forwards between the two countries. I still have work here in the UK, just a little, but important. You don't know what you don't know.Yesterday I learnt something new. UK vehicles can only be abroad for a maximum of 90 days with extended cover, before insurance becomes invalid. I wanted the Polo at Vitared for six months, and the motorbike out there for the summer (every summer actually). No problem, I'll get Swedish insurance I thought. Nope, not without re-registering the vehicle. Damn! Unless someone has a brighter idea my solution is:

Spring - Car
Summer - Motorbike
Autumn - Car

I need the trips back to the UK anyway, and it provides the opportunity to supply the Swedish house from England. Down side is just the motorbike for transport over there May - August. Short term this is livable, until I work out how I am using these properties. I suspect that Elsa will become Swedish with a new registration plate at some point.

Packing and Loading: I made a start yesterday. I need the heavy and bulky items on board, and a trial run with the stuff for the roof, so that I know what is going to fit. I'm back on track, so that would be the time for the programmer on the heating system to pack in. I've had enough. I broke off what I was doing and went out to buy a replacement. Shit happens! Mick is due back this evening to fit the new controller. No more messing with possible intermittent faults. The old one is clearly faulty and it cannot be left that way.

Back to the packing and everything I wanted to take out to the new place first trip, went in. No overloading issues. Job done. Thanks to Allan for a lift on and securing the roof load. Get the new heating controller fitted tonight. That leaves just hand luggage and paperwork, and put the vacuum around in the morning. At least this time problems to solve has stopped the pre trip jitters. If all works out now I am due at Ali and Cara's in Suffolk for a relaxing overnighter, ready for the ferry on Sunday. I need a cuppa (Tea)!



 

Mini Ice Age?

Fitting roof bars as the snow comes down is not what I had in mind. I had to stop with only one bar done. My fingers are too numb to work, so a cup of steaming hot tea and warm up, then back to it when the sun comes out again. With mid winter conditions I have used what could be down time to organise my gear. Stuff to go on the roof rack is weighed. It is under weight which is perfect. I may have more space than I think then. The roof bars look like a good idea now, despite the wind noise which might get irritating.

The Jet Stream has set hundreds of miles south of where it should be. Has all of that polar ice dumped into the North Atlantic finally done damage? Is this Europe's version of global warming? Look at the map. The extent of the cold zone corresponds to the ice sheet of the last ice age. Pure speculation of course. This winter weather is set to continue two weeks or more, well into April. This is not normal for England. Worse still temperatures will stay stubbornly below average for some weeks apparently. Spring is cancelled! Last years floods have left the ground saturated, and now we lose the spring planting season. It is not going to be a good growing season this year either. We won't starve but prices will rise again.

Mike is due to move in now. Our house share scheme kicks off today. Two guys with lives in flux. Things will change for both of us. Things are always changing though humans look for stability and routine.

Nelson Mandela appears to be heading home. Nature, but still very sad. Mortality is a burden for a smart species.

Pre journey jitters are setting in. It manifests itself in worrying about what I might have forgotten. My first stay at my Swedish house is 5 weeks, before I fly back to England to fetch my motorbike, and attend to some important domestic jobs. There is an opportunity there to correct mistakes. Take out missing items on the motorbike. I have plenty to do. Time will Concettina now. The future rushing forward to meet me. Don't interprett this as doubt about what I am doing. I am 100% committed to my project. I still don't like the idea of a winter journey across Norther Europe though.

Blizzards. Shit Happens.

..........Prepared for it...............Not.

The initial delay at Zurich airport was in itself not too bad. 40 minutes. But with a journey likely to get you home at midnight with a fair wind, any delay is not good. Moving to a remote area for de-icing does not feel great either, and during that down time you inevitably become aware of the unique mix of your fellow passengers for the evening ahead. Also not great. It was a bad flight. The worse I've had in a while. I'll not do detail because my stress levels go up again (humans have monkey brains!). Arrival at Luton was also not great. It is late on Sunday night, and despite it not being a surprise that were still several incoming flights, the staff went home! For goodness sake manage your resources!! That was utterly miserable. Introduce the living wage and maybe the UK would have a less surly workforce. It is also the decent thing to do.

Sorry I distracted myself. The drive home on ice into a village with roads like glass was not great. So it would have to be then that my heating system locked out on low water pressure. I had organised the heating to greet me with welcome cosiness. 7C is not cosy. Shit happens!

While I am grumbling about UK winter I better remember that I have a home in another region that has REAL winters. Gulp!

Sorry to Allan and Sue for moaning over an excellent and much appreciated cup of tea.

Bierkellar Wolf

Stepping off the train into spring sunshine on the platform at Dietikon. It is Switzerland. It couldn't be anywhere else. I passed through Altstetten where I shared an office with Robi. The years have passed but it still has that feeling of home. For two years it was. The big guy met me on the platform, car waiting ready to head home for aperitifs and start to catchup on how life is treating us.

The next surprise is Flo'. I first met him when he was 3 years old. A nice little boy. Now at 18 he towers above me, speaks nice English. The nice little boy turned into a really nice young man along the way. Did I miss that? I don't seem to have noticed the transition.

Friday morning hiking in the Jura and then on to an open air spa to swim and relax. I speak as much German as I can manage, and that is little, but at least I have my confidence to try. Speaking German and swimming in the March sunshine I feel along way from the Englishman I am most of the time.

Robi, Florian and catch the evening train. We have beers to share. The Wolf kellar isn't Swiss. It's a Bavarian import, but great fun. We purchase a metre of ale. 9 big ones, and get stuck in. As our beer mugs clank "Proust" I cannot help smiling at Florian. It is so good that he wants to drink beer with his dad and I. We part company easily as he heads off to get together with people his own age, leaving his father and I to misbehave and get very loud indeed. The German drinking songs I know well. Funny where the language is easily remembered isn't it.

Robi and I took our sore heads off to the Rhein falls. It's colder today, and set to get colder. A slower, calmer, more reflective day with an old friend who helps me to have ideas. Some people are like that. There is nothing new under the sun, and most fresh ideas are a synthesis built on what has gone before. Tired from playing hard I waved auf weidersehn to Robi and family and started the night journey home. News of snow in the UK is not welcome, but at least I am prepared for it...........