Our Blog
Hägertorpet | 9 Feb 2020 |
Besides the house, we got a stuga as well. Since we do not use it ourselves, Brenda decided to try and rent it out as a hobby.It combines well with my hobby, so it now has a bunkbed and a small kitchen for basic usage. Being a little stuga (two persons) it already got nick named 'Piggelmee' but that's very dutch and probably a registered trade name. Then what? Hägersjöhylte points to a farm a kilometer down the road. Hägersjö feels odd since we have no lake/pond nearby and it points to some families 10 kilometer away. Not that easy to come up with a name that suits and is not yet widely used. The I remember when looking closely at the garage doorstep, they wrote a name there back in 1984. Hägertorpet. After some searches that still seems quite unique. And someone already put in the effort, so we go with that. 
We now do have the website http://hagertorpet.se and also the Facebook page http://facebook.com/hagertorpet .Maybe we can do more with the name. Today I brewed my first beer. Might as well be "Hägertorpet Porter". Next in the series will be a "Hägertorpet Blonde" and the "Hägertorpet Triple" which are already waiting at my sister's place. Hägertorpet ... the start of a whole new brand ?
|
Roadkill | 20 Jan 2020 |
It already dark as I drive home on the main road 23. Occasional headlights blind a little but that's nothing new. And then just a few kilometers out of VäxjÃit happens to me. A deer jumps from the roadside in front of the car.I realize there is no upcoming traffic and try to avoid it. A little ahead I find a place to stop. Even though I hear a bang, I see no damage. I head back to check, but find nothing. Amazing how awfully quick things can change. Unfortunately a bit too late I find out it should be reported so authorities send out a hunter with a trained dog to search for an injured animal to avoid it from suffering. Lesson learned for the next time which i hope won't come............ |
How does it work? | 10 Jan 2020 |
The one thing that is most different is the one thing that everyone has started to take for granted: Utilities. Many are surprised by the differences, and never realized it could all be so different.
In the city there are communal services for most, but not in the country side. So what is different? How does our utilities work?
And now what does that all means? It means everything is there, just on a small scale, and much is your own responsibility. Electricity is key. Power-outage means no electric heating. No cooking. No light. Also no pump therefore no water. But it's not the end of the world. Keep fridge and refrigerator closed as much as possible. Warm the house with the stove, and use it to make food at the same time. You can also cook on the holiday stove or get the BBQ out. There are rainwater reservoirs for water to flush the toilet. Drink water can directly be taken from the well with a bucket or picked up at public tap's freely accessible just for that purpose (assuming the have electricity). Sounds like we practiced, but no. We have had one outage that lasted longer then 15 min. And that has been at night around 4:00 and lasted roughly 3 hours. So apart from the alarm clock, no pain felt from that one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rain | 17 Dec 2019 |
|
It has been a real autumn. Many weeks with wind and lots and lots of rain. We found another advantage. It's not just having water. The taste of the water has been changing on a daily base, sometimes even by the hour. First I gave my family a blind test. Got water directly from the well, and from the tap. A happening on it's own. The bucket broke and the you have a plastic bucket with metal hinge five meters below in your well. A story on it's own to get it out, but none the less, they taste no difference. Next we got water from two different emergency tap's. Not a big difference either. In that case, it could just be us. Just to be sure, we send a water sample to a laboratory, which is common to do at least once every few years. It has been tested less than one year ago, and the numbers came back the same. The only two values that where close to the limits showed a slight improvement. So as a last resort, I added a coal-filter. Good thing I installed an extra filter housing when I mounted the sand filter, it was no work at all that way. But having that planned ahead did not solve anything. But now, after all the rain that fell, the taste is very good! It's excellent. And it's taste is constant as well. It's good to notice natures impact so direct. Better groundwater levels lead to better water quality. Curious I moved the concrete lid and looked down the well. The level is almost three times it has been (not counting the dry weekend we suffered in Sept. 2018) |
Cars | 29 Sept 2019 |
|
It was time for Brenda's car's car inspection. So I drive the car on the bridge, pull the handbrake and hand it over for inspection. All looks well, just a little too much slack in one of the parts, but otherwise it looks okay. Until he rotates the back wheel. Tries to rotate is more accurate. "I'll take off the handbrake" I shout cheerful and climb on the bridge. Then it seems he already took it off. But the wheel won't rotate. "Maybe if we drive and take the break test" is his response. It does not take lone to realize that won't do. The break-test machine is even clearer about it. "That won't take you home" he says, but calls in a colleague. Together they manage to release the handbrake and explain what's required. On the way home I buy a second safety support and back home I jack up the car fix the handbrake. The slack however is in a more critical part, so that I won't do myself. For my car a new set of tires is required, so our workshop earns quite a bit out of us this month. On the tires we got a discount. Or so it seemed. It was for they could not properly balance the wheels, that must be done by a specialist. Two days later I'm at a tire specialist. They take off the wheels, fiddle around, mount them and hand me the keys free of charge. "We can't do these......No, no idea who can here in Växjö". It takes a bit of searching, but the I discover the existence of "blind rims" and the special treatment of balancing them. It was hard enough in Dutch, and there is not much time left, I decide to have it fixed over a few days when back in the Netherlands. Unbalanced it's a little less comfortable driving, but with a little less speed we still get there. Traffic in Germany is hell. The six hour drive takes 2,5 hours extra. When on a two lane road, I floor it just to overtake a lorry. When I passed it, the motor management warning lights up, engine power fades and steering becomes heavy. Luckily there is an exit and a safe place to stand still. I read-out the board computer and it says major fuel leak, but no such thing. I reset the fault, and carefully we continue the drive. A bit nervous we get to the destination. Between the party and family and friends visits we had planned, we managed to get the wheels balanced at the fifth station we tried. Now that is comfort! Smooth we roll over the highways. The engine repeats it failure but when driving without fast acceleration it's all okay. The way back is as horrible as the way down. After many hours extra in German traffic and a ferry crossing we are back on the quit Swedish roads. Not long before we can leave the Swedish highway and turn onto the countryside. That's where it all goes wrong. Directly after leaving the highway, I want to accelerate on the country road but the engine responds by turning itself off. We are at an emergency lane, so that's not bad, but the engine won't start at first attempt. At second it does, but immediately quits when I try to drive. No new error's appear in the diagnostics, and after a reset we can drive. But it's no longer a relaxed drive. The car is only capable of slow pull-up. The whole ceremony repeat itself two more times and for the last part we avoid the main road. My suspicion is with the fuel filter. Searching for the error code on the internet confirms that suspicion. Lucky for me, Biltema is even open on Sundays. I fill in the car's registration number and click spare parts. The have it in store in Växjö. Then just out of curiosity I click 'maintenance advice'. By calculated mileage, the advice me to ...... replace the fuel filter! It's only 15 minutes work to replace it and we can commence the test drive. On a secondary (maybe even tertiary) road I floor it again. No sputter, no failure. The car takes off like it's designed to do. |
Flying high | 1 Aug 2019 |
|
I looked at it a lot. Thought it over. Thought it over ones more. And bought myself a drone. A toy drone that is, the 'real' thing is way to expensive. Brenda kindly remembers me of the glider model plane adventure that never worked out as hoped, but that did not stop me. The box is incredibly light, so is the model. Charging the battery and then it's time to get air borne. Flying it is not hard at all. Unlike the glider. You can even clam a cell phone to the remote control and watch real-time camera images. After a few flights I feel secure enough to take it outside. I do have to wait till after dinner time for the wind to lay down. Outside it's even easier than indoors, and soon I have some camera images. The quality matches it's price (or I can't hold it still enough yet) but it's clear what they are all about. Again some flights later I let it fly out further, as well as higher. The range it has should be around 70 meters and is still impressive for a 12x12x7 cm toy. Since the underside is lit in red and green, I have to fly it by night too. No doubt about that. It's dark' It's wind still. Perfect. The drone flies nice, and in the dark it will be real fun to take it high up. In theory. Once it's higher than the tree tops again, it's clear is not wind-still at all. Worse, the drone does not seem to have the power to go against the wind!! I see it drift further away over trees which are more the 10 meters high. Lights start flashing in what I guess is an out-of-controller-reach warning. Thank you for that. Would never guessed that on my own thank you very much. As a result of that it starts the landing procedure all by itself....... I get in asap and get my very strong head light. Rommy follows as I set out in the woods to search a drone. It's light must still be on. I mostly look up, fearing to see it hanging 12 meters above ground. Where to look? No clue how far it got. But then Rommy sees it's lights. Lucky for me it cleared the trees and 'landed' in the fields. Only 400 Meters from where it took off. A lesson learned.
|
Butterflies | 29 Jul 2019 |
|
During netwalking -the daily walk after lunch, but it's often just network team members- we found many grass area's having received a short and simple wooden pole wit a small note. It did not look like a prank or such a thing, so after a few curiosity won. So entering the grass to read the notice. It is a government message. It's informing everyone the flowers start blooming, which attracts bees, butterflies and other insects. They find it so vital, that just for that reason the won't cut the grass in the coming period. Don't bother to complain, just enjoy the butterflies. Very good initiative! Back home I see out grass getting wild. I notice butterflies, and see flowers. And I see the sad view of an orange a tractor in the garage. It's gathering dust while it waits for the blooming to be over. When that happens, there will be a lot of mowing to do which would have been hell by hand. |
Washing clothes | 27 Jul 2019 |
|
In Sweden it's common that household equipment belongs to the house. So buying a house usually includes refrigerator, freezer, wash machine and a dryer. After signing the contract, the wash machine went broke, so the former owner had to buy a new one. With hose being a bit too short, it was placed at a weird angle. But it worked, and that's the requirement, not the cosmetics. However, It was not to our liking, so I changed the water pipes at the time. Extended them, put in valves and installed a tap outside the house for that was lacking too. A few weeks later we learned the hard way that the washer and dryer are not connected to the distribution group installed for it, but to the water heater and water pump. No clue why, but a little rewiring took care of that too. Now just one issue left: Drain. The drain does not flow as supposed, and no blockage was easy to be found. Solved it temporary by creating a buffer that collects the water from the washing machine and releases it sloooooowly into the sewer. I considered a few times call someone to fix it, but then again, can't bear the idea of someone coming and fix it in the blink of an eye and look at me like "and this to too hard for you ???" Just the sight of the opened well is disgusting. Hot water and soap does not do the trick. Then with a nice rubber glove I go in and feel around for the opening. It's not clogged. But a plunger is use less, and other tools can't make the sharp bend. I take a break to recollect my thoughts. That seems to help. The penny drops. That small square thingy just might be a plug. Little cleaning, and indeed it is a plug. Soaking my precious tools into the dirt is even harder then going in with a glove, but it opens, and the clog direct behind it is easily removed. Re-assemble, test and it runs as supposed. Take away the buffer and another job done. Well, almost. Real hot water, strong soap, good drying and a little, little drop of oil, and the tools are good as new too.
|
2 | 15 Jul 2019 |
|
It's holiday season and many colleagues go on Holiday. And it's easy to notice at work too. There is less to do, in support too. Today is the last day in a series of 8 days in second line support. All four other network engineers are free. It has been even more clear how much every one helps each other. I now notice more that when you ask something in regard to a ticket the often not only just answer, but also fix it for you. Kind and easy, but not always the best way to learn. Since I'm not in the habit of calling people on holiday it's been a good period of learning. The funniest ticket was making a customer near Gotenburg very happy by saying "I'll just call your head-office and solve it for you". So I called their head office who by seeing a Swedish number politely answered in English. When we spoke it took little more then a minute for the other engineer to realize it, and i head the question "How come we can talk dutch all of a sudden??" coming over the line from Rotterdam. The day after that, a colleague came over and said "That must have been fun, doing support in native language". After answering 'yes' he said "I have a thing more for them to do, would you mind calling again?" |
Cable cutter | 6 Jul 2019 |
For some reason, the house is lacking ventilation. Not just some, but all of it. Early this year I already made smaller ventilation slits in the windows, but those are hardly enough. A few weeks later I bought a ventilation set to mount in the wall. For a few bucks you buy a drill of the exact size to make the job real easy.I examine the wall as best as I can and decide where it will be placed. First a small pilot hole with a real long drill just to line up the center in and outside. Then the main drill. Not long before I am through the outer wall. The inner wall even faster. The tube slide in smoothly and then it's just marking and cutting it. six screws later I'm done. The living is ventilated! Now in the warmer summer it's time for two more rooms to fit with ventilation. Got a better drill for the pilot hole and having it done before, the second ventilation is placed even quicker. The third one takes a bit more time to find the right spot. It won't fit where I prefer to, so I go down one board. After drilling the outer wall I find an extra plank in the wall. Damn! I feel around, but it's real thin so no stud, and I continue the hole and it's a thin plank. 
How different from the inside. When I'm almost through, there is a flash, and the vacuum cleaner halts. Yup. cut a power line right in the middle. Extra work I did not need.After the first irritation I examine the damage a bit more. Not *that* hard to fix, it's just opening and closing of the wall that is so much work. But, still lucky.... Would it have fitted where i wanted it, I would not have taken down a power line, but taken out an complete junction box. I get the saw from the garage and open up the wall. It's not as much work as I feared it would be, and an hour later the wall is closed and I take look at the result. After having walked the dog, I take another look and rip it all open again before glue and plaster dried. It will work, and it's okay, but I can do better. Tomorrow I will get myself a small junction box. One more hour not to difficult labor and its really done. |
Cabling | 3 Jul 2019 |
And even though we live in the countryside, we do have fiber. Unfortunately it's terminated in the cellar and no wiring available. Using WiFi bridges we get internet working in the house. It's only some multi-media that does not always work properly. Still, not how you want to have it as a network engineerSince the house is build from wood, it looks an easy task to run cables. After a lot of measurements and three useless holes I quit. Some weeks later I take another look. Running them along the outer wall is simplest. But it's ugly, I don't want that. I measure again and conclude I need to drill further away from the outer wall. Nope. wrong again. As last resort I decide to go the other way. Drilling from the cellar up. That was an eye opener. It was way further from the outer wall then I ever had it. But now I know the measurements. And finally, the six-th hole is the right one. From this point on, all the other holes are easy. 
Instead of the cables required, I do as a colleague taught me: "lay a few extra for future use. Doing it now will be no cost nor extra work at all". And now I have numbered outlets on the wall for multi-media, WiFi and the 'home-office'. Improved network capacity and functionality.
|
Various | 29 Jun 2019 |
|
Management A colleague is retiring. Management send out an email that the intention is to throw a party next Friday. However, so many are already on holiday, so it's agreed to postpone till September. But still -for who wants to- we have an after work party Friday with pizza and beer. And on Friday it's management taking the orders and get the pizza's. A week later the walk through the office twice. Once to take your order for ice-cream, the second time the distribution. And that is actually very typical for our management. They treat you, and make you feel valuable and important to them. Danish It's getting to ridiculous proportions. I've heard it times before even up to twice a day, but now.... I went to get a warm lunch at the Thai take-away close to the office. Yes, I frequent the place, but not *that* often. Still, even she started now and asked with an heavy far-east accent "Your accent ..... Are you Danish??" Caravan It's not required, but, we decided to put the caravan on Swedish license too. Filing all the papers still got extra work for I filled the request but in the Netherlands it was not in my name. Being married made no difference, Swedish government still sees it as transfer of ownership. The registration control is just as expensive as for a car. They check the chassis number, measure it, approve is and .... warn you not to use it. Why? Fist 'Kontrolbesiktiging'. The test it's brakes and wheels. have a quick look and we're free to go camping Greenhouse We have a greenhouse in the garden. Some windows broken (I'm fighting not to promote Linux now) but still in working order. There is an old grape plant in the back which looked dead, but that's how the look after winter. Poured new soil in and build a small bench from the scrap wood still left. Hung a lawn sprinkler in the top, and finally bought a pump so we can avoid using our tap water but use the rainwater collecting well instead. Just a few weeks later grapes start to develop and all kind of green plants pop up from the soil.
|
Midsummer | 21 Jun 2019 |
Driving home, I stop at our neighbor for she texted me she wanted to talk to me and had a question for us. After some chatter she invites us to come over and celebrate midsummer with her. It will be us and some of her family and other friends. I'm honored. Together with Christmas, midsummer is the event in Sweden. Rich with tradition usually celebrated with family.We are welcome right after mid-day when they start with potato's and herring of which we politely pass for the latter. Further we pass the time with games, talks and laughter. Here too, not much English so we all have to get by in Swedish. Then follows one of the greatest Swedish joys: BBQ. Everybody brought something so enough to choose from. We are way into the evening when we turn home tired and happy. We have attended public celebrations before, but It's clear that midsummer is at its best in many hours spent with a group at home. |
To the Netherlands | 13 Jun 2019 |
|
Two more weeks and our oldest has her birthday. For we can't make that, we plan a surprise trip. After the direct flight from Växjö to Amsterdam it's a short train ride to Den Haag. There we sit i a Greek restaurant we wait. She just don't get it why her friend -who is in the complot- drags her in here. It's quite a shock when all of a sudden she spots us, but could not be happier. Since we are there for a long weekend, we decide to take a day out to the zoo with just the four of us. What surprises me the most are the traffic jams. They are not new to me, but, in Växjö you can almost consider 5 cars before the roundabout a traffic jam. The car develops a failure in the muffler, but we can still drive. However, when we park to have dinner, we see the police executing a major traffic check. Many cars get impounded and many fines written. We decide it's better not to start the car again while they are busy. I'd gonna be a long night..... The next day we take the train together, but split up in Utrecht. While Brenda visit friend to take a look at their new house, I will go to my sister to see hers. But since I have some time before that I take a walk in Utrecht. Standing at the foot of the Dom I look up and realize its now or never, and 5 minutes later I am the owner of a ticket that allows me to climb up with the first tour of that day. Even it's 110 meters high, you can only go up till 95 Meters. It goes with several stops and while not all will agree, but it's not too hard a climb. The view itself is a great reward, but back down on the street I know there is only one reward/lunch possible: "Broodje Mario!" and from the one and only original stall at the "oude gracht". Then it's off to my sister. That is the other side of emigrating, you can't visit friends and family that easy. Sure, the are many channels over internet, but it's better to see and talk to them in real live. And even better: after seeing the houses share dinner together on a sunny terrace. In the evening back in time to spend another moment with our daughter and her friend and then we are only one night sleep away from the return flight.
|
BBQ | 19 May 2019 |
|
Went running, seen a neighbor and introduced myself. Went biking, seen another and introduced myself Went..Went.. So over time I've seen all the neighbors. Common seems to be they all live here three years or less, and not really know each other. Other then by name and waving while driving by. The idea to throw a welcome BBQ seems like an good idea. We have bought invitation cards and written them with the best Swedish we know and dropped them around. And as days go by without someone accepting. True, they are not declining either. But then, not long before the planned date reactions start coming in. They too think it's an good idea and gladly accept. Only one reaction missing, but the BBQ is on! When the day is there and we do final preparations, the neighbor family caught a virus and for not wishing to infect all of us the kindly decline last minute. They do however take the effort to bring the flowers they bought us. So in a much smaller setting we proceed anyway. There is no alternative then the Swedish language, but with patience from all sides we manage conversations on all kinds of subjects. A slight rain forces us in close to the end, so in a way it's good too we have a smaller setting. Many hours pass in a good atmosphere and when our guests are heading home, we all agree: We need to do this every month, but definitely more often. |
Backlog | ... |
|
There have not been any new posts for a while. That however does not mean nothing happened. I finally caught up and over the next few days post will be released. To make it more fun, the will be released at random. |
| Wed 17 Jul 2019 | Laat maar komen. Ben benieuwd!! 😉 | |
| Marian Verhoef | ||
Gardening | 13 May 2019 |
|
The garden is approximately 100x120 meters. Partly buildings, partly trees, partly grass. And not the flat grass as soccer players like it. Edwin cut part of it last year, I cut a part too. Tough job. It became a little easier after a rock broke off a part of the plastic protective cap. When the sparkling socket seems damaged after maintenance that was the end of it. At the back of the garden there are still many logs which need to be taken to the woodshed, and there will be more next year so it's an easy choice. Took a bit longer than expected (and hoped) but finally a light-blue postnord truck drives up to the house. Tore down the protective crate and there it is: My garden tractor/lawn mower. The only disadvantage is that mowing is done so quickly. Now search a trailer for it and get the wood up here.
|
Woodshed | 19 April 2019 |
So, we use little over 5m3 wood in wintertime, and there is only storage for about 4m3. If you cut your wood before Easter, you can use it the next winter. But better the year after. Therefore I estimate a storage of 16m3 is what I will build. A damn simple construction, but still takes a few days to build. But it's done! And while I'm at it, installed automatic lightning and an outlet for the clove.
|
Sewer | 17 April 2019 |
Since there is some construction work going on at the office, I work from home today. Having fiber has it's benefits. As I just sit with a coffee and some music at my laptop, I hear the recognizable beep-beep-beep-beep from a truck backing up. And yes, there is one backing up our driveway. It's clear he's not just making a turn for he comes all the way down to the house. It's not a delivery truck, so curious I go out to see what they want.The text at the side of the truck explains enough: The came to empty the sewer. The driver has a quick look where the sewage well is and while taking the animals in account they lay out the pipes along the other side. Where are you from he asks while they prepare the truck. The Netherlands, I answer and He says 'So is he' pointing at his colleague dropping the pipe in the well. So, a lot of Dutchmen in Sweden. Even a small village as Lönashult holds three dutch families (as far as I know now). The look genuine surprised as I offer coffee before they continue to the next address. Even though he regularly talks Dutch, I keep going to Swedish so the both understand what's being said. As the truck leaves the premises I notice I'm not even surprised they came without warning to empty the well. It's just a thing that is needed and is also a part of the waste disposal so they just go on with it. |
Running | 11 April 2019 |
A colleague told me "You're gonna live in Lönashult? They have a damn good sports club !". I've looked it up, but the run on Thursday, and that's one of the days I went to SFI. Indeed, went, for I've finished D-level and decided it's enough. I'll expect to learn better, faster and more in the real world. (Nah, maybe not better, but more practical anyway). So, having time on Thursday, I contacted them again and told the I wanna join-in.I'm not sure what they expect, for they responded that they are just an gang of old boys hanging in there. Arriving at the stuga they just sit and talk relaxed, in no hurry to get going. But when they got to it, they gave me a good run for my money. Still not used to the Swedish roads only to be going up and up and up. That together with an respectable pace made it quite an work-out for me. Then again, it's good to be challenged for running by yourself makes it hard to progress. Yes, I'll go next Thursday again. 
|
Växjö lakers | 24 March 2019 |
|
Our management sends out a message. Tomorrow is a big day for the Växjö Lakers (the ice hockey team in Växjö). If they make it to the next round, we will go to the next match with all personnel and their partners. We've never been to icehocky, but often heard and read it something you need to attend at least once in your life. And so, in the evening I keep one eye out on the scores. All I can make out of it is they didn't made it. And an there is no invitation the following days either. Then a week or two later, there is an invitation to lunch buffet and quarter finals match of the lakers. It's definitely not the match mentioned before, but obvious it's important we go and see the lakers together, whether they won or they didn't. And there we sit. High up in the stadium. Tables along the side, so half way into lunch we can follow the warming-up which feels like a bit of a show too. For Dutchmen its feels like home, for orange is the most common color wherever you look. After the warming-up the clean the ice rink, during which "kleintje pils" is very absent. Then they bring out stuff on the ice floor which even I know don't belong there in a icehocky match. The lights go dim again and then a grand opening show begins. Exactly according to schedule they knock off at 15:00 sharp. The puck flies pretty damn fast, and the game is not as rough as you see it on the TV. After 20 minutes there is a break, and what follows is very unlike the first period. The game got much faster and a lot rougher too. The crowd is never silence, but in a good mood while the teams go up side by side. Unfortunately the Lakers didn't win, but still the stadium clears neatly. Out on the street no police, no guards. Fans cross the street neatly at the zebra crossing where cars just wait patiently as only Swedes can do it. Yes, definitely something to go and watch again!
|
Taxes | 14 March 2019 |
Full of good hopes I log in at the tax agency's website to fill in my 2018 taxes. "You emigrated, so you cant declare on-line. The proper form (Form-M) is on it's way to your current address". And it did arriveClearly the decided to take revenge on us for no longer paying taxed in the Netherlands. Previous years it was a matter of logging in, check the info they already have and submit the data. I'm old enough to remember the paper tax form. But now ........ now they have send us a paper monstrosity I've never seen before. A grand total forty two double-sided A4 pages (and it's not even the ultimate answer) and ninety double-sided A4 pages 'clarification'. And to really set you off: one A5 sized envelop for return post. Their motto is: "we can't make it nice, but we can make it easy" so it can't be as hard as is looks. Very unlike me, I first read the instruction. "Fill it in asap" it says. "We need it within 5 years from now". That is good for a laugh. The letter though says return before June this year. Next. "Start in this leaflet". That does not start with name and contact details, but we jump right into question 69. Okay, strange but have it your way. We start with an decision tree. That I can do. The result of it : "You don't have to fill in question 69 to 73, go directly to question 74." Another decision tree. ..... result of that one: "Skip 74A, B and C, start directly with 74D" Question 74D: Go to the calculation help 74D in the clarification This is going great, all I do is jump forward, this way I'm done way before diner. And then it all goes down hill very fast. (Now bear in mind, we are now at the HELP section in the clarification, NOT the actual form) The calculation help is a simple table of 6 rows with the simple instruction: copy the answers from question 28I, 29a, 70B, 74A, 74B, 74C in this table. But.. but.. those are the ones they told me to skip !!!! Question 28 is even worse, that is a multi-paged table where you fill data from both countries. Everything in Euro, but nothing on the conversion they are gonna accept. And all questions start to interconnect. You always need to copy data from other questions. I tried to draw how the questions tie together to keep track of what I've finished, but it can't be done. I'm stunned. How can they come up with this and send it to us mortals? How can they interpret the end result? "ping" new e-mail. The Swedish tax agency: "Your tax declaration will become accessible for you in two weeks". |
Smålands Nationaldag | 7 March 2019 |
Three big cakes arrive at the office. "fössta tossdan i mass" they say. Never complaining about cake I join them and dig in. Even though I know the don't need a reason for cake, I do some inquiry for the reason and the meaning of the text. It turns out the region Smaland has it's own national day: "Smålands Nationaldag".The text "fössta tossdan i mass" means really nothing else then "första torsdagen i mars" (first Thursday in march). So they just celebrate the day change out all "rs" to just "ss". A thing I'm told they do all year round, it's just their dialect. |
Mobility | 28 Feb 2019 |
|
The last week it was all about mobility. It started with Rommy's car giving up. The tow-truck would take about 2 hours. Fortunately, it broke down along my route. I tried the engine again and it fired-up en kept running. We discussed it, but it kept going, so we headed home prepared to make an emergency stop and a tow. All went just fine, even the drive to the workshop the next day was without issues. They fixed a small thing and that was it. Having found what looks like an decent garage, I made an appointment to service my car. I also asked to check the brakes, for one gets real hot every now and then. That ended up with new brakes all around. While we are at it, booked an appointment for Brenda's car too. It's time someone looked at that irritating rattle while driving bumpy roads. Not the most difficult repair, but a good thing too. They discovered an issue with the front springs, which could have led to an dangerous situation. So after heavily sponsored the local workshop, I go to the mandatory vehicle check full of confidence. The engineers first remark: "Wow, impressive how this car brakes !" And after that "It's in a remarkable good shape, especially the underside". Too bad I can't approve it. 
I'm stunned and ask him why. Then he explains "you have an detachable towbar, but we can't get it off for inspection. No inspection, no approval". I try to defend that by explaining the faster the better. Nothing worse then a towbar comming of. He looks at his form and there is no appeal of clause available. They tried two gentle bangs with a rubber hammer, but didn't help. So, if the towbar does not come off, the car is no longer road-worthy. I get a month to fix it (of have it fixed).Once more it's the Biltema store that comes to the rescue. Bought a can rust remover, and sprayed the parts involved. Sprayed again two hours later. Sprayed once more on the way home. There I petted it with ......... my sledge hammer and off it came. The form said any certified garage can report the issue as fixed, so I assume, it is a very minor thingy. And so, the next morning I walk proudly into the station with the towbar in hand. "Look! I fixed it!". His first look is as if he sees some water burning. But he recognizes me, and during a brief explanation his gaze shifted to his 'I could not care less look'. He asks me "Did you book a re-check ?" Uhh, well, no. "Okay. Just do that, and then we can have look at your towbar" Have a nice weekend. |
| Mon 4 Mar 2019 | Herkeuring .... Kwestie van binnen rijden, trekhaak er op, er weer af .... klaar. Blijkbaar vonden ze het zelf ook een genante situatie, want zelfs de verlaagde prijs van na een controle werd gehalveerd. | |
| Tonny | ||
Color coding | 26 Feb 2019 |
The Swedes are quite strict in DIY and electricity. More strict the we are used to in the Netherlands. None the less, there are lots of things that can be improved, and having had the education, I so some myself. Ans so I bought a net heater for in the kitchen. Fits just under a small ridge, and it hangs by the door. I relayed the cable from the old radiator just for that. Just perfectAnd so it hangs. Cable runs neatly through the cupboard's inside, connected blue to blue, brown to brown, and....earthed it. Proudly I put back the fuses and with a loud bang and a flash my pride got shot. There are an awful lot of fuses, and as always, there is a paper that documents is. Which does not mean the document is useful. A long session of faulty fuse-finding follows, during which it dawns on me. After having the fuses fixed, I do some measurement and my hunch was right. They connected the brown wire to a phase and the null return wire ..... to another phase. So much for professionals following color schemes. The brand new heater expected 230 Volts but got 400 Volts. And with that, it DID heat up. Very quick. Very short. |
365 | 23 Feb 2019 |
Yesterday I HAD to go to the store, getting a treat for the dog. For today is a special day: Exactly one year ago the two of us came to Sweden!And a lot has happened that year. How different things are. Did we have a long drive then, today relaxed outside building a new woodshed. We came to a dark cold house where we layed a mattress on the floor. Today we have a home where he has his own rug in front of a cozy fire. For us there is a normal bed to sleep in after we get out of the sauna. Great many stories too, and looking back I would not change one thing. It has been one of the best years ever. |
Timber | 17 Feb 2019 |
|
From every direction the sound of chainsaws drift towards us. I decide it's best to follow the natives. Unfortunately mine broke down a few years ago and so ....... together with Rommy I drive to Växjö. After visiting Biltema and Jula, and having finished coffee and a Semlor we go back home with a new chainsaw in the trunk. Already at the assembly I notice the quality differences with the ones I owned before. When it's ready and running, I go in and get dressed. I was little in doubt, but Rommy convinced me -and even gave me- protective pants. After having decided on a tree I attack it. It only takes a few minutes and I admit, it's not a show-case, but without any personal or material damage I have cut down my first tree. After some time the branches are stripped and the trunk cut in pieces. We are curious and pull out the clover. But the fear is un justified! The machine doesn't flinch and even the most sturdy looking pieces. Amy and Rommy enjoy the device so much, in no time all blocks are into small pieces. It feels spectacular to have cut your first wood from our own property.
|
Sotning | 08 Feb 2019 |
The mailbox contains two very official looking letters from the municipality. The first states the are coming. Coming to clean the chimney and the stove, a process they call sotning. They just send someone who takes it door by door. You can re-schedule but then the cost will be higher for they will have to come again later just for you. Aha! so you will get invoiced for it. Ah well, it's something good to do anyway for the stove is used as main heating for the house. In Sweden it's also quite common to have steps on the roof to make it all easier.
 And for all i know it's also common to have the ladder out there too, so my guess is they don't expect the roof steps to be hidden in snow. So in the early evening I'm out on the roof clearing the snow. Curious I follow the process so I now I also know how to do it myself if I want an extra sweep. All is well and he answers the contamination is not extraordinary so we burn the wood is a good way. Yes, the second letter. The will also do a "Brandskyddskontroll" Not sure what it's about exactly, but it's a more general inspection regarding fire safety. But we will find out tomorrow. |
Here they are | 22 Jan 2019 |
|
Brenda has been in the Netherlands for a few days to help Amy and Rommy move. And Monday morning at 02:00 -after a 14 hours trip- they are here. Our house is now transformed into a farm. We have a dog, cat and four chickens ourselves, but now another dog, two cats, six rabbits and four pony's have been added. A little mis-fortune surrounded their move. First the rental van crashed on the way back (only material damage). Then after collecting the hay, the trailer would not be un-hooked from their car. Don't worry, I've got an angle grinder that solved that. And so their adventure begins now. Starting with application for a personal number and a bank account. Or as one can call it: Today they will get their basic training in waiting. The preliminary work on the kitchen has started too. Filling the gap in the floor proves to become a challenge. Looks like we 'just' have enough boards, but some damage near the door makes it impossible to take those boards away AND put them back afterwards. Also a power cable pops out of the ceiling in the middle of the room. Via the attic I can almost reach it to move it, but there is hardly any space to work, and it's under at least 20 cm glass wool insulation. An wall socket however could be moved but..... the tool to bend the PVC pipe i need to do it got lost either between Hooghalen and Ramkvilla or between Ramkvilla and Lönashult. Then I remember my LTS education. Warm the pipe with a burner to bend them. Boy did I suck at that at the time. None the less, I have no alternative so I go for it. Just the one pipe, so I need to get it right first time. It ain't perfect, but it does the job. I would never have guessed that to be grateful to have learned (not mastered) that specific skill 38 years later. |
Kitchen | 15 Jan 2019 |
|
After the first steps -taking down the bar and make a kitchen in the cabin out of it- the main kitchen is next. We designed a new one and reviewed it with a kitchen designer. Out of the design the create an order and plan the home delivery. The choice is ours. Pay at the register or go home and pay via bank transfer. As long as it's payed one week before delivery, it will be delivered. And now part of the living room became a warehouse. Little more than a week and I've got a week off and we will also get some help for a few days.
|
Plumbing | 13 Jan 2019 |
And as planned, the filter has been installed. I needed one for sand etc that comes from the well, but since I have to redo the lot and the don't cost much, i just installed two casings.And since I had to do work on the pipes, I also inserted a one-way valve and some extra valves. We can now cut different parts of the house from the water flow independent. I had to re-do one of the R25 but with all the valves I got now that was an easy job. I will really enjoy those in two weeks when kitchen gets done. |
Preparing the cabin | 12 Jan 2019 |
|
Only a few days till Amy and Rommy get here, so time to do a bit of work on the cabin the will be using. We will build a new kitchen ourselves, so part of the old one will be installed here. And after a day and some evenings the kitchen is installed. It has plumbing but water comes from a tank, but still, it really looks like a kitchen now. The shower in the basement has nearly no flow, but then it dawns to me. I'm happy the pipes have valves, and shortly the tap is un mounted. Indeed, the filters are clogged, but thanks to the compressor (the one I got when having water issues in Ramkvilla) that is solved quickly. Since I also seen sand at the wash machine, the next task is clear: Install water filters.
|
Gott nytt år | 1 Jan 2019 |
|
As in Netherlands, anyone can shoot fireworks in Sweden too. And they also discuss whether it should still be allowed. Great difference is they don't sell any crackers. In the end we decide to get some ourselves. It's the first new year since we moved here. And even though the choice is rather limited we take our pick. In the dark the fireworks light up real well, and the explosions echos with heavy thunders. There is also some in the distance, but way before 0:30 it's quit again and 2019 has started. The year 2019 won't be boring either. Shortly Amy and Rommy will move in with us and will Rommy starts his job in Sweden. The company i work for offers two holiday's. First to Majorca -with partners- and later we will go up the Kebnikaise . The Swedes however think it's just business as usual. Where in the Netherlands you're glad when it's Jan 6th and the "happy new year" greeting ends, Swedes just say "God morgon" on Jan 2nd as if nothing happened.  |
The language | 28 Dec 2018 |
|
Although not perfect, I manage to get around using Swedish quite well. In one to one conversations that is. Groups are still a challenge. And at work they also notice I begin using Swedish just to slip back to some English if necessary. And even though we are responsible for the data centers, me and my direct colleague have chosen to participate in the 2nd line schedule. It's the best way to how things work out in the fields. It seldom involves customer contact so the language won't be a big issue either. But unavoidable, there came the day the phone was required. And on one day I had it all, a colleague, a client and a supplier to talk to in Swedish. And even thought they did most of the talking it went quite well. So when I had to call a customer a few days later I was pretty confident. Big big disappointment. "Sorry, I have no idea what you are trying to tell me. I think you must be Danish or something, I don't understand you. Nothing personal, but please have someone Swede call me". The fact the one that called her later mentioned that indeed communicating with her was a bit difficult hardly helps. After the endless compliments it's an tough experience. In the evening again it was 180 degrees around. The results of SFI's* "national prov" where in. Scored 4,5 out of 5 with the remark that I probably would have cleared most reading, listening and talking of the next level too. Just too bad my grammar need some (i know a lot of) work which shows in writing. Up to the final level. * SFI is the language education the Swedish government offers to new citizens. It's got 4 levels (A-D) and transgression from one level to the other is decided upon you test results in the "national prov". |
More light | 27 Dec 2018 |
|
Yes, it's 50/50. It's useful but I could do without. I just wanted to have them om my car too. And so, with the interior heating installed weeks ago the french car from the Netherlands is becoming more and more Swedish.
|
X-mas | 24 Dec 2018 |
| And then it is Christmas time. Like St. Klaas, Santa found his way to our new home and delivered a box of goodies. Donald Duck included :) . The day before all is covered in a layer of snow, but on Christmas eve most disappeared again. It's not a white christmas, but it's not green either. As to most, christmas as is not as much a religious feast as it is a family get together. And that's the point for us. First time Christmas without the kids is not much of a Christmas at all. |
Julbord | 20 Dec 2018 |
Christmas is closing in. At the town square the tree has been erected. A few days before Christmas there is the company's annual julebord. A big thing in Sweden. The place radiates Christmas and before you go in you will get a glass (okay, cup) of Glögg. Good start, en to me it's no problem that Brenda has one but does not drink it at all. Colleagues show up dressed as never seen before and take place at the pre-arranged seats. The dinner is in buffet style, but they did not exaggerate. Starters and dessert are obvious most important. Something like 30 different starters based on fish, and about the same number for meat and vegetarian. Just the main dish was a handful of choices, but now way one would starve here.
Half way through eating became a bit difficult for constantly someone would shout very loud "Skål" and everyone get their glass and joins the toast.The day after (some might have had a rough morning) the frequent asked question was "Was it your first Julbord, did you like it"? |
St. Klaas | 5 Dec 2018 |
There's a knock on the door. Can't be St. Klaas for he's not well known in Sweden. And, like his clone St. Clause he uses the chimney. But still, it's him using the postal service.
A box with the St. Klaas goodies has arrived. And at the bottom he(or she) proves to have a sense of humor by adding a special Kalle Anka edition.
|
Swedish | 2 Dec 2018 |
|
As I wake up I see immediately the light is different. I pull open the curtains: Snow! A good 3 to 5 cm covers the world. I get back in bed and we just stare outside. The other side of the cold is that the car battery gave up. It had it's doubts once before at -18 in March, but now the cold was too much. Then again, you can get yourself another one right off the shelf in a great many stores. Car lights are another thing too. I always hated the high-beam. Irritating for others while not offering a lot more road view. But after having had deer crossing in front of you twice while doing 90 (yes, sometime we are allowed to go that fast) one thing you learn is that they help to visualize the road-sides (and maybe scare them off). So, what I've driven in total all years with high beam......i do easily in one week . Just like any one else driving around here. 
And dark it gets it around here. Is a headlamp a nice toy in the Netherlands, you won't think walking the dog here without one. You would think aliens have landed when you see 12 green dots floating over the fields. It's just the sheep of our neighbors following your every move. And now the snow has frozen, the sight at night is absolutely stunning. Clear black sky full of stars and where ever you look, the grounds and trees glister. It's easy to see how they came up with flashing Xmas decoration, but that can not even stand in the shadow of the real thing!Returned home from the walk I follow another Swedish tradition: take off your shoes. Not a strange thing. When there is snow, it will prevent your floor from getting wet. And if there's not, well, you won't believe the sound of all the small rocks that nested in the profile of your soles make on a wooden floor. And while sipping hot tee I have a clear view on the illuminated flagpole slowly that sways a little in the wind. |
Svensk språk | 24 Nov 2018 |
|
After a few ring-backs the phone gets answered. Almost a Pavlov reaction I ask if she speaks English as well. "A little, but we are in Sweden" the dentist assistant answers. A short flash-back to a call some time ago to a government agency reveals itself. And as then, the conversation continues in Swedish. And actually, today again it goes quite well and she compliments my language skills. The next day during the company breakfast three colleagues independently do the same. All kind and well, but it does not match my feeling. Often I'm lost for (Swedish) words. Specially when multiple Swedes talk at once -that happens more than you think- I'm lost- Sometimes that can make you feel real lonely when they all talk and laugh and I don't have a clue. But, as a whole, I notice I talk more and more Swedish, so it can't be all bad and perhaps I make more progress than I realize. |
Well being | 16 Nov 2018 |
|
During the periodic evaluation there are not only work related questions. There are also questions if everything -from ergonomic perspective- is as one likes it. So far nothing strange. But, Swedes do not seem to fear discussing personal circumstances. "Do you eat healthy? do you exercise?". Easy questions, the know I often bring home cooked lunch, I regularly run during lunch time and got the network team hooked on lunch walks. But it goes further. This week we could sign up for a free flu prevention shot. And then ..... During the office meeting all of a sudden a picture of a battered face in the presentation. The next 5+ minutes are spent on the importance of a cycle helmet. And bottom line, If you cycle to work, buy a helmet and feel free to put it up for declaration. They clearly see employees as an asset you have to take good care of. |
The Hunt | 14 Nov 2018 |
| For a moment we thought the hunt passed by slowly. Wrong. The last week the cat brings home a mouse nearly every day. Dead or alive. Together with the dog they chase the mouse and we chase them. Its close to a Chaplin movie, but we managed to release e few back into the wild. It's nice she does pest control, but can't remember asking for proof. |
DIY | 30 Oct 2018 |
The storm of a few weeks back ripped one of the flag's loops. Since the former owner did not loop the flag line........The line's end hangs 8 Meter up from the ground. My ladder only comes half way pup, but renting one is impossible (that long is considered too dangerous). Asking around at the office got me a ladder is I want to, but he tells me to check again. That kind of pole comes with a hinge. And indeed.... cut some grass, and looking up I do see a fixed pivot point hidden in the stand. So disassemble the bench, and a little nervous unbolted the pole. Together we lower it real easy. I'm not tying the ends but replace the line with a new one. -Yes, immediately looped it- As I show how to raise the pole again, it's so light, I can get it up alone. Quickly bolt it up, assemble the bench and done!
And there are more DIY projects. Brenda wants chickens again, so she got a hen house for her birthday. Before I put is up, I went to the DIY store to get some insulation for the floor (I can do that now, not after it's erected) and ironware to level it. These stores are a bit different than the Dutch ones. No clumsy show with a cart you load at least two times. No, you drive up the premises. Load all you need in the trunk or your trailer and drive up to the gate.Get what you need inside as well and go to the register. They scan the small stuff and then join you to the car and scan all the big stuff. Back inside you pay and are done! Neat! If you like you can saw up whatever is too long at a real sturdy workbench where you get all kinds of tape measures and saws. Someone gave this some thought. It's so much easier like this.
|
Garden | 28 Oct 2018 |
The first snow fell. It's a little, but it's snow beyond any doubt. The last two days Dango yelps a lot, and it took no time at all to see why. The garden has been taken over by small deer. The are alert, but not at all afraid. They come up till 20 Meters of the house. Even if you walk up to the window, they see you, nut they don't care. What a view from your chair besides the fireplace!
|
| Sun 28 Oct 2018 | Wintertijd is begonnen.... wat een leuk idee dat ze door je tuin lopen. Mini-Ouwehands-dierenpark. | |
| Marian | ||
And this is Sweden too | 17 Oct 2018 |
|
It's a misty morning as I drive to work. Only 3 Km out a huge moose appears besides the road. I slow down to have a good look but he decides to jogg off into the woods. Impressive and big animals. 20 Km later a second moose besides the road. This time a hunter is standing besides the dead animal, waiting for his friend to show up with the car. Puts a bit of a damper on the morning for it's not something I was waiting for to see. But .... this is Sweden too. |
Water | 1 Oct 2018 |
| Hoping against hope I re-open the well. Well, I'll be damned .... Water !! Slowly the well seems to fill up again. It's not much but more than enough to restart the system. The next days rain is expected and I think however much comes down, it won't be too much. Frequently I peek down the shaft and the level rises day by day. First we have drink water. Shortly after short showers, and now we also use the washing machine. We're still sparse with water. As the song ....You don't miss your water till your well runs dry. |
Departing | 29 Sept 2018 |
|
We where are taking it easy waking up when there is a knock on the front door. Quickly I get out and answer the door. A man from the village offers to buy the hunting tower we have standing at the roadside. We wanted to tear it down anyway, so, yes. I think he got a hell of a deal, he told me it would be torn down in the afternoon. And now we are off to Ramkvilla. Brenda started cleaning inside, and I took up lawn mowing. It took 3 times filling the tank, so i guess the grass was quite long. After a few hours we're done en make a last round saying farewell to the neighbors who have been very kind and help full. They all are curious who will come next and if they Will blend in. I understand that feeling a bit for the house closest to us is under renovation and will be up for short or long time rent once it's done. The neighbor would not let us go until we had tea and something to eat. We gave them all sunflower seeds for next year, and then it's time. We drive off home realizing it's the end of the beginning. |
Water | 28 Sept 2018 |
Brenda calls me, there is an issue with the water. I think I only need to 'reset' the hydrofoor. Drain it and fill it again. She says the pump keeps running, and that matches my suspicion for the former owner told me that as well. Drained it, and start the pump for a refill. The bubbling worries me a bit, but pressure rises. Not far enough and the bubbling is still there.The concrete lid slides easier from the well then I imagined it would. Something glitters so there is water. I get myself a torch, and indeed there is water, but not nearly enough of it. Great. An dried well. All daily actions suddenly become an hassle. The water cooker has some left, so medication can be taken. When i return from walking the dog I notice the rain barrel behind the garage. Great, another problem solved, now we can flush the toilet again. First action, get jerrycans, then make further plans. |
Autumn | 25 Sept 2018 |
|
Yesterday we had a night with 0.3 degrees and before I could return the company car, I had to scratch off an thin but tough layer of ice from the windshield. Today we had -3 degrees. Out the window I can see the grass covered with an thin layer of ice. But, thanks to the carport, the windows where crystal clear and apart from a little chilly, my car was ready to go. The ride is absolutely stunning. The forest is a mixture of green, yellow, red and brown. After a few kilometers I get to a high point and can see the mist lingering in the valleys. Crossing lake Asnen I see the corners of the lake covered with mist as well. Not much later a deer crosses the road less than 100 M in front of me. Not far from the point where last week an fox stood at the road side staring at me. I don't have to search for it. Nature just presents itself. It's just a normal day and I'm just driving to work! Never ever had a morning been so beautiful. Emotions get hold of the better part of me and my eyes get watery as I think to myself 'this is where we live'.
|
Moving again | 23 Sept 2018 |
We already took some stuff each time we went up and down, and we practically live at our own house already. But, this weekend we will move everything over. I took one of the company cars again for it can hold more and larger stuff. While Brenda takes care of matters in the new house, Edwin and I drive up and down between Ramkvilla and Lonashult. Often the rain pours down when we (un)pack the cars, but after 4 rides over the weekend, it's all done.
The house is one big mess of boxes. In the once so spacious double-garage it's hard to see any concrete floor. So much left to do. Painting, extra wiring, sorting out boxes, (re-)assemble the furniture, wood stacking. In the meantime Edwin took out the lawn mower and started ploughing through the high grass. And as with gardening, the neighbors scared us last week. They sold their trees to Sodra and they started harvesting. It seems one of the former owners of our house cut the trees close up to the perimeter. And now the neighbors are doing the same, so there are not many trees left at some points. It's at the side, so we don't lose any of the view we have, but it gave us a few gray hairs. |
Make it our own | 15 Sept 2018 |
One thing is sure. The dog likes the place better than anything. Wednesday he got out the car and felt right at home. For one he loves the garden we've now got. He's exploring it on his own and appears when I whistle. We spent the first nights there and it's gradually becoming our place.
The first days have passed we started the DIY. Now the place is empty, there is more work then anticipated. I knew about leaf filters in the rain pipes, an outdoor tap and a wood shed. Some outlet's outdoor is useful as well. But now the furniture is gone you see you need to paint. The wash machine is replaced a few days ago, but the new one has an integrated hose which is too short.
But, today is an important day: Wood! they dumped wood besides the garage. Just 7m3. It will however only warm me twice. We're late in the season so we got it cut and dried. I only need to stack and burn it. First clean out some old wood, probably build extra storage for it ..... Yes, Countryside living is hard work.
|
