Sunday 20 December. Went to the bathroom at 07:15. Is this really important? Yes when you turn the faucet and nothing comes out. The water for the whole settlement is off just 1 working day short of the holiday. The private maintenance contractor was on site at 09:00. Electric supply and control systems are OK. It's a plumbing problem, so with nothing more I can do to help, I went out for the day. Fingers crossed for water later, but not holding out hope. They were starting to search for a leak when I left.
Coffee and Christmas cards with local friends. I cadged 20 liters of water off Roland and began contemplating serving Christmas dinner with no running water. No need to worry further. The maintenance guys got it back on before sun down.
Jul Afton: 24 December, Swedish Christmas, and a Julbord party to go to. Simon and Alex did us all proud. Food too varied to describe in detail, but for me highlights were Elk tongue, Pickled eel, and Gravadlax. 16 guests and a Christmas present game that is like secret Santa but with dice. Went home sober. I'm breaking new ground.
25 December: Complete with running water and everything! Traditional English Christmas Dinner at my place. Guests commented that roast Tupp (cockerel) was a low fat Jul meal. A healthy alternative to roasted ham and pork. The Christmas Crackers were insanely popular. You can't get them out here. Health and Safety rules. It was hard to explain that even translated the jokes are not funny. They are supposed to be bad. It's a tradition, like Mr Bean with the turkey on his head. Actually that is different. Mr Bean with a turkey on his head is still hilarious after a couple of whiskies. Thanks to Swedish friends for taking part and trying something new, to humour an Englishman.
26 December: Annandag, Boxing Day, St Stephens: Clearing up after yesterday.
Saturday I awoke, I don't know what time. The clock wasn't working. Actually the red light on the UK adaptor on the socket wasn't working either. Nothing was working. The house was stone cold. The electricity was off. Looking out of the window neighbours lights are on. Ohh joy! Fault finding for an hour and a half, initially with a torch, got everything back on except one faulty circuit. The lights and sockets in the garden. Isolated and made safe, the garden repairs will have to wait until the Spring.
Happy New Year to you all. Mine was spent cooking dinner for 23 at the VMCK club house. Thanks hugely to those who worked with me in a busy little kitchen, and those who did equally valuable work behind the scenes, to make this first dinner event a success. Crayfish salad, Fillet of beef wrapped in Palma ham and stuffed with chanterrelles, served with a Swiss Rosti potato cake, and finishing with Tiramisu. We pulled it off. Not perfect, but I hope they saw the potential for improvement towards something special soon. I'm up for more if they like it. Champagne outside looking to Jonkoping for a free view of the city's fireworks. I sang Auld Lang syne solo. Sorry about that!
Here is hoping 2014 is a good year for us all.
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