Sweden celebrates Valborg, it's own version of bonfire night on the last day of April. This is a Spring festival, unlike bonfire nights and fire festivals around the world, which generally take place in late Autumn. Valborg- the name originating from Saint Walpurga, an abbess at a monastery during the 700s and traditions introduced from German in the middle ages- is about … [Read more...] about Valborg, the Swedish Bonfire Night
Sweden
Small Family Apartment Remodelling- Taking Down a Wall
So, does 700 square feet for a family of 5 plus dog count as a small apartment or a tiny apartment? It certainly is tight! Some remodelling is called on, for sure. On a beautiful Saturday, when the weather was actually beckoning us to sit on our terrace to just chill, sip coffee and eat cake, we found ourselves with a crowbar and a large hammer in our new flat. Our first … [Read more...] about Small Family Apartment Remodelling- Taking Down a Wall
Small Family Apartment Remodelling- Creating a Spacious Family Room
The original bedroom in our new small family apartment will have to acquire a new role: the living room and dining room. You see, our apartment was built in the sixties, for a young couple or perhaps an older couple. It had a spacious bedroom, kitchen, a lovely dining room with an attached, small balcony and a nice living room with dual aspect. For it to be suitable for a … [Read more...] about Small Family Apartment Remodelling- Creating a Spacious Family Room
Dinghy and liferaft options for a 28 foot sailing boat
Even as we signed the papers to buy S/V Mariposa we joked that we now need to get 2 extra boats to go on her: A dinghy and a life raft. However, in all seriousness, we do have some real decisions to make: Do we need a dinghy? This is determined by our intended cruising plans and how much we will be spending in marinas and on quays. As total novices to boat ownership and … [Read more...] about Dinghy and liferaft options for a 28 foot sailing boat
Finding somewhere to live in Uppsala, Sweden
Oh no! We got the dreaded email: our homeowners are returning home. Not totally unexpected, but I was hoping to get to spend another year in this lovely home we are renting now. Instead, we embark on the dreaded journey of searching for accommodation. The housing situation in Sweden's larger cities is notoriously complicated and accommodation is to find … [Read more...] about Finding somewhere to live in Uppsala, Sweden