Fire & Rain......

After a few weeks of mostly decent, Spring-like weather, we've had snow today. An unexpected surprise for sure but hardly the white-stuff as we're used to it. If anything, it was a minor flurry which has continued all day. Wispy stuff with no substance, it didn't lie, and simply dissolved on hitting ground. It made me laugh to catch some friends in northern France, particularly in Brittany, wailing about cold winds and snowfall as if it was likely to have any affect on them in reality.

In Sweden we were used to somewhat more serious amounts with temps that remained well below zero for months on end and a metre or so of snow to struggle through. Strangely enough, it's something that you get used to, even sort-of look forward to and enjoy! Even J had to admit she enjoyed clearing the white stuff to keep a track in and out of house possible:

And the track to the cottage/Bagarstuga had to be kept open with a track through for ease of access to our main freezer which was housed there:

It was a time, five years or so when life was definitely different from the French experience, with snowfall that has no meaning or significance:

And the old woodstore also needed a track down kept open, an essential need to keep temps and spirits up in winter:

Of course with wooden houses, we were invariably warm and comfortable whatever temperatures were:

The house at night:                                 Now with Easter approaching and everyone in lockdown, I'll be unable to grab a few of these absolutely delicious Swedish buns, Semlor (plural of Semla), wonderfully marzipanny (is that even a word?!) confections which I can buy at this time of year in London. I once managed to eat both of these in a single sitting, a bit like a surfeit of Lampreys maybe, but evidently more survivable:   The other beauty of Springtime oop North is the beauty about to unfold like this view from our old garden:  And even the worst of weather here in France has never brought about the need to resort to one of these for travel, a perfectly normal method in northern Sweden:  I've been promised some interview time with this guy in near future, one of my favourite musicians with a truly excellent new album just out:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctWs_usT-BM.

On The Road Again!

Well.....Covid-19 is sure grabbing attention. France has been fairly swift to close most services down. Macron has closed all education stuff; bars, cafes; cinemas; assemblies and the first blues festival of year, which we always attend, has been pulled. All to be expected really. We're not yet quite in lockdown like Spain and Italy but I expect that will be next announcement from Macron who is due to address nation on TV this evening. Food stores, banks and petrol stations etc currently remain open together with les Tabacs - an essential French service that did make me snigger!

We have put the house on the market as we plan a move...again!  Not entirely sure where to head yet. We're torn between the Pyrenees, in southern France - an area we love and know very well having spent much time there over the years when younger. Other options include a return to Andalucia where the weather and general cost of living is tempting: on holiday there in January, we were relieved to find our Spanish lingo skills returned to an extent very readily. So it is a possibility! The other is the wild card: Sweden again. Our Swedish friends all tell us we should return as we have our Swedish ID numbers; as a result they all consider us Swedish, in effect! For my part, I'd be happy to return as I miss the madness of the place with its extremes of weather and sheer beauty. I don't miss the cost but on a personal level we have always maintained our connections with the country, running cars registered there, insurances etc., all based in Sweden. It means we are still engaged in the system.

This is the house I'm currently temped by in Sweden. It fits most of our needs, I'd say. J is not so keen on a move back to Scandiland and speaks fluent French so prefers to remain here but is also very tempted by Spain. I'll have to work on the Swedish option, though she is also tempted cos of many friends we have up there etc.  Of course, who knows how long it might take to flog the house before we can move! The house of interest:

With Brexshit, these are important issues. We have our lifeime cartes des sejour for France now, so can remain in France whatever happens. I reckon it also means we can move around a bit within EU without real issues arising. Fingers firmly crossed. We now have ID numbers in Spain; Sweden and France! Weird or what!

The Cranes, or Tranor, as known in Sweden have been flying over heading North for summer/breeding etc. We had them in garden and all around when living in Sweden and the racket they make flying overhead always makes us smile and is a pleasure, a squabbling, jostling noise like no other:

I addition, the first Hoopoes have arrived and are visible in garden but not making much noise. Seems early for them but that's maybe cos we've had a terribly wet winter here so it seems like a delayed Spring in some ways. Yet to hear a cuckoo or an Oriole though the Barn Owls are noisily checking out the competition and nest sites again each evening at dusk.

Hope you all stay safe. Take care out there. A bientot!  Vi ses!  Hasta luego!

Maybe appropriate in the circumstances: