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.
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