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.
Monday, 29 April 2013
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.
Thursday, 25 April 2013
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!
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!
Thursday, 18 April 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, 14 April 2013
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.
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.
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.
Friday, 12 April 2013
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!
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.
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.
Thursday, 11 April 2013
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.
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.
Saturday, 6 April 2013
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.
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.
Friday, 5 April 2013
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)!
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)!
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