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.
Sunday, 23 June 2013
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.
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
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.
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.
Friday, 7 June 2013
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?
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?
Monday, 3 June 2013
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!
"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 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".
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