There was plenty going on at home in October, too. Anton Olson was once again making apple cider by hand. We’d already told you about our apple-picking and cider-pressing sessions back in autumn 2024. Even then, it wasn’t just about the harvest, but about getting together and doing things as a group. This time, I hadn’t brought any apples myself, but I bought some cider and met up with a few people again.
Among them was Gabriel, one of the furniture design students here in the village. He’s from Bamberg and is a qualified carpenter. He describes himself as neurodivergent, and we talk a lot about Hajo’s work and what he can take away from it for himself.
It also led to a very practical collaboration: Gabriel was able to earn a bit of extra money working for me and fitted the front door to the small flat I’m currently renovating. So that chance meeting over apple cider led straight to the next improvement to the house.
A trip to Halden and a bargain at Returen
I also drove back to Halden for the renovation work. You’ll hardly believe it, but there are actually things I’ve found cheaper in Norway than in Sweden: porcelain toilets and washbasins. A welcome opportunity to combine practicality with another trip across the border.
My regular visits to Returen are sometimes quite fruitful too. Returen is the Bengtsfors Council’s second-hand shop in Karls Gärde near Dals Långed. There, furniture, crockery, books, textiles and all sorts of household items are given a new lease of life. You never quite know in advance what you’ll find. Many of you who’ve been here before are big fans of Returen!
This time, I came across a small writing desk. It was immediately given a place in one of the guest rooms. So the next time you come, there’ll be a small desk with drawers in the single room downstairs – for writing, reading or simply to store your things.
It’s these little details that matter to me. I don’t just want the house to be finished; I want it to be a place where you feel at home and where even the little things in everyday life have a nice spot.
Fitting doors via WhatsApp
The glass patio door has now arrived too. You may remember that I’d recently closed off the opening temporarily with glass wool and an old door. Now I could finally get rid of that makeshift solution.
This time, I took on the installation myself – though not without expert guidance. My old school friend Volker, the master glazier, was on hand via WhatsApp to offer advice and guidance. You’ll already know him from the handcrafted door at the back of the studio, which he built and fitted over the summer.
So this time he was there remotely, whilst I followed his instructions step by step here. The door is in place, and the refurbishment is another step further along.
I’m actually slowly turning into something of an all-rounder here. Although that only works because there are people who share their knowledge with me – or lend a hand themselves at just the right moment.