We are 3 weeks further and already 7 weeks we 'live' in Sweden. The last 3 weeks the progress of the renovation is very good 😊. See also Refit Sweden. We are already in a build-up phase and are gradually entering a final phase 😃.

In the meantime, we enjoy 'living' in Sweden and visiting the shipyard regularly to see the progress with our own eyes. Sweden is a beautiful and relaxed country. Wonderfully sparsely populated, with friendly but independent people and a beautiful rough and varied nature. We feel at home here, especially in this area that is so focused on sailing and boat building 👍. During the week we focus completely on our work and occasionally go and have a look at the boat. But in the weekends we go out for a walk and/or a bite to eat. It is clearly after season here; a lot is closed and most restaurants are only open on Fridays and Saturdays. For us it is fine because it is nice and quiet. In the high season it's probably quite crowded in some places, because of the number of parking places at for example the pedestrian ferry to Gullholmen. In the evenings we often watch 1 or 2 episodes of Bron/Broen and by now we've all seen the 4 vintages.

Autumn has arrived with beautiful colours and lots of mushrooms. That really remains my favorite season 😃. Nature is so beautiful then, especially when the sun shines. So far we have a nice late summer with quite a bit of sun, and now and then some rain and strong wind. Usually a bit better than in the Netherlands and certainly less wet 😊.

 

The first weekend of the 3 weeks we go to Gullholmen on Saturday. That is an island off the coast near Ellös where we take the pedestrian ferry, take a tough walk over the rocks and have a drink at the harbour cafe. On Sunday we have breakfast in the sun on our terrace and after that we take a nice walk on the island which we look out on from the house.

 

The following week I will be in Tilburg from Monday evening until Friday evening because of a first physical session at work that I would like to attend. Toine will stay in Sweden. Coincidentally that week there are also two viewings in our house. That's very convenient. On Friday evening I fly back, together with the girls who are coming to Sweden for a long weekend already planned.

The weekend with the girls is very cozy. We chat a lot, celebrate Marinthe's 19th birthday and show the beautiful places and nice restaurants in this area. At the restaurant in Grundsund it is the last evening of this season. Therefore not much choice anymore, but very nice and cozy. Of course we will also take a look at the boat and at the HR yard in Ellös along. Unfortunately this weekend hardly any sun. On Monday morning we are each on our own place in the house to video call. We for our work and the girls for the uni. On Tuesday evening they fly back and the two of us are here again ☺️.

 

This last weekend of the 3 weeks we drive on Saturday (that's yesterday) to Tjörn, the island south of Orust. We will take the pedestrian ferry from Rönnäng via the small island of Åstol to the island of Stora Dyrön for a beautiful walk around the island. Tiring, varied, with beautiful views and regular sunshine. On the way back we drive home via the west coast of Tjörn and stop in Skärhamn for a snack and a drink. A beautiful coastal town with a large marina where we see some larger boats for the first time. Beautiful island, that Tjörn 👍.

 

On the boat mainly Kjell is working in the aft cabin and Carl in the cabin and Marinthe's room. Christer comes back on board for the technique as soon as Kjell's carpentry is finished. The goal is that next Wednesday the carpentry will be ready so that they can measure the floor covering and bench coverings.

Last week we hear that the delivery of the new entrance will take 8-12 weeks and we decide, together with Carl, to plan the installation somewhere in the spring/summer of 2021. Now first the focus is on completing everything that is in progress with the goal to finish it before the end of October and then to be able to sail home. We have extended the rent of our house until the end of October.

Today Toine is in the car on his way to the Netherlands. There he has several appointments the coming week. I will stay here in Sweden to get to the boat. Eline made the pictures below at the bottom of the mountain where our house is 👍👍.

 

By the way, we're in the best part of Europe when it comes to Covid-19 infections. See below.