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.