Too many secrets

Given today was empty of very much, I think it’s time to describe our accommodation. It’s been very comfortable and cute with only a few delightful quirks. And, while it resembles something quite old from the outside, it was actually built in 1979.

The main quirk is the shower which looks like it might transport the user onto the deck of the Starship Enterprise. There are buttons which operate various things as well as the usual knobs and controls. There’s a shower head in the top and a hand held one on the wall. Then there’s a load of heads embedded in the walls which throw water at you from the sides.

While the shower may appear to be a wonder of modern washing technology, it’s best when used like an ordinary shower without the bells and whistles. Or the radio, which tends to get a bit crackly after a while.

Importantly, the water pressure isn’t too bad though the temperature could be a bit higher.

Best of all, though, is the inclusion of folding chairs, either side of the cabinet. Every time I have a shower I feel like I’m in a Japanese onsen. I’m going to ask Harald if he can add one to our shower at home.

As for the remaining quirks, possibly the oddest is a cardboard box that once held steel wool, being utilized as something to keep the TV from falling over. Quite eccentric.

Along with the main cottage, there are also three other buildings on the site. One is for storing ski equipment, another is a spare bedroom where Jason has been sleeping and the third is a small sauna.

It was in the sauna that I recorded my Letter from Sweden for this month – for inclusion in the monthly FATN on Tuesday – which I thought was sufficiently soundproof and non-echo-y. I also thought it would make a good story and included the location in the recording.

When Charles replied to my email he said the sound was great and it did not sound like I was in a sauna.

I’ve included it here for anyone interested in listening.

The rest of the day was spent dodging rain. It rained for most of the morning, sometimes quite torrential. There were a few brief moments of respite. During one of them, Jason ran down the hill to the lake, threw himself in, then raced back up the hill to have a shower. He said, through chattering teeth, that the water was quite cold.

Eventually, the rain eased off enough for us to head off to my favourite Swedish restaurant for a hearty linner. Or dunch as Jason insisted on calling it.

The last time we ate there was three years ago. Twice. And I was really looking forward to it. In fact, after I mentioned it a while back, Nicoline told Mirinda she had to take me as it was a desperate cry for food. Or something like that.

The restaurant is Värdshuset at Tvällen and hadn’t changed a bit since our last visit in 2021. Well, except for one thing. Our waiter, bent over as if playing a sidekick in a horror film, told us, in hushed tones, that there was an extra item that was not included on the menu.

“It’s called The Secret,” He said, looking furtively around to make sure no-one else heard. “It’s two types of meat and bowls of extra bits and pieces. It is for two or more diners to share.“

Obviously, Jason and I jumped at the chance to order this mysterious meal. Mirinda had schnitzel. Our meal turned up on a big, heavy board with a strange metal contraption that would have been at home during the Spanish Inquisition, that held bits of meat. On the big board were little bowls of delight. The waiter doused the meat in alcohol before setting it alight. It was quite the show. Mirinda’s meal was on an ordinary plate.

The waiter took this lovely photo of the three of us.

After devouring our ‘secret’, we chatted with the waiter who said that they hadn’t made it for a while but had decided to once more offer the option. That’s why it wasn’t on the menu. We decided that his hunched over attitude was not for effect but because of carrying too many secrets around.

Jason actually offered to carry the board into the kitchen for the waiter but his offer was declined.

The meal was delicious and, I think, the meat was moose and pork. Mind you, the waiter did ask if we enjoyed our badger.

And, speaking of moose, on our way through the woods and beside the lakes, we saw two elk. One of them was standing, proudly, in the middle of the road as we came round a corner. Mirinda stopped the car and we were involved in a sort of Mexican stand-off. The elk looked at us; we looked at the elk.

Eventually, the elk slowly drifted off the road to nibble at some grass on the verge. A second elk appeared on the opposite verge and headed into the woods on that side. We weren’t sure if we should drive on as the first elk kept giving us strange looks across its shoulder.

Then, with a dismissive shake of its head, the elk walked back across the road and joined the other somewhere deep in the woods.

It was mine and Jason’s first elk in the wild, and we were well pleased. As was Mirinda, but she’d already seen a few before. I didn’t manage to get a photo of them, but Jason took quite a funny video. Which I don’t have access to. Sadly.

However, I did get a photo of Jason standing at the edge of a lake, full of windy waves.

And that was it, really. A nice easy day, with plenty of rain. And, of course, one, big secret.