Catching Up With Myself

How did I get here, Springalmost 2015? One answer is across Germany and Denmark on Bertha. Travel beyond Elsa. Vatta and I, Satnav Jane and sleepy Bob in a pannier. The lack of weather protection on the GS is no problem cruising the highways. The truth is that when the weather was foul enough for Elsa's fairing to be an advantage, I didn't want to ride. Up into Vitared's dirt roads. Note to self. Bertha is capable, but needs a new pair of boots for this. Second note to self. Off road and dirt road practise required.

A long hot summer. Sweden was like Greece but with money. The lake side beaches were busy with young Swedish folk being Swedish. Beautiful, lean, blond bodies, making me feel very old. Good for them. Days are for spending, not saving.

A canal cruise to St Petersburg with Aki. You won't find that on a Swedish map. You have to start from Finland. Photos? Not sure what happened there.

Kulture Touring with VMCK, and a long ride home in torrential rain. On the motorway heading East from the coast near Norway, cars aquaplaned. Bertha ploughed on sure footed. Amazing! How did she do that?

My cellar flooded! Deep trauma, and an opportunity. Over the long Scandinavian winter I ripped out the cellar accommodation and modernised. Hard work and very satisfying. Photos? Later. I have some somewhere. No stopping now. There was more winter than project, so I also ripped out the remaining bedroom, and modernised. I did the same with my house in England. Turns out I enjoy DIY. 

Spring is just about here. On the blocks and ready to go. The first Vitsippor are out. Soon the meadows will be a carpet of fragrant white. You couldn't be anywhere Elsa.

Winter has almost gone, and with it the ghosts retreat. I'll try and write more often as I am emerging from the winters gloom. Time to stretch legs and fill lungs with cool, fresh, Swedish air. Where are my motorbike keys?

An EU Citizen

...............So what am I doing in Sweden? A question I asked myself continuously at an earlier stage in this adventure. And again when a friend died in England. Grief and home sickness. So sorry Phil. Shocked and stunned. And yet again when I didn't get Swedish residency because the British government would not issue a health certificate to a NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training). I'm not early retired apparently! No health certificate, the Swedish authorities would have had no choice but to reject my application, so I fell on my own sword, and withdrew. So I remain domiciled in the UK, with frequent, long, trips to my summer house in its wonderful location. Don't you just love rules!

...So exactly where IS the advantage of being an EU citizen?

It took a while but I got there. What am I doing in Sweden? The UK government will no doubt disagree, but what I am doing is enjoying early retirement mostly in Sweden. Within the rules, I am a perpetual traveller. Thanks to my sister for her support with a UK base.

The sun is shining. There are wonderful views of Vattern thanks to the clear clean air. Back to my tranquil acre for the big spring clear up. Big beautiful motorbike to ride later. I'm not early retired apparently. NEET!