Friday

Today Owe was on a late shift and as it was a nice day we decided to go an boat trip around the harbour. One does these things only when out of town visitors come. I told Mum about the roof top walk one can do from the ratshuset, but she was not keen. I would like to do it, maybe I have to go on my own. It is safe, one wears harnesses. Owe went pale just at me mentioning it. Today he was less physical with me, I think he had noticed it. He had to go home to go to work, Mum and I stayed in town. I took her to the open air museum. We had a meal in the restaurant there. We talked a lot again. I am seeing a lot of things about my childhood from a different perspective. I guess I had a selective memory. We do not talk much about our “lost years”. What they got up to. What is the point? She likes to mention my nieces. She obviously loves to have grandchildren. I think we avoided talking about Lizzie today. Anyway, she was very interested in the houses and farmsteads. She said maybe she would like to go to Ireland, the Church sometimes organises trips. I encouraged her. Dad was so measly, but then we actually had to be careful with money, to pay for upkeep of the house and 4 children's education to pay for! They did not make much money on the house sale, but she gets a good pension. Now it is only one person the pension needs to support...That is another topic we have not talked about much, yet. On the way home we did some shopping at our local supermarket. It took a while as Mum wanted to look at the different products. I did not mind, I was the same when I first came. Which is less than 2 years ago! Now I am so at home here! I chatted to the cashier, and Mum mentioned later to me how at home I am, and how easy it was for me to switch languages!

I guess I am. I am sad to be so far away from her and from Erik and Barbara, but I like it here.

I made us a warm salad for dinner and Mum tried a smoothie. I made a fire and we played cards. Mum has gotten into the habit of having a whisky in the evening, my father liked it. She says it makes her feel close to him when she is at home alone in the evening. We talked about it yesterday, and why Owe does not like alcohol, especially whisky. He offered we could buy some, but she said it was ok, abstinence for a week or so would be good. Tonight, with the fire on, she fancied one, but was happy with a cup of peppermint tea.

She went to bed a bit later today, she is getting used to the time zone. I prepared a snack for Owe for when he came home and made his bed up and laid the towels out. I left the lights on for him. I was considering waiting up, but all the walking around today has made me tired. I managed to get him on the phone and wish him a good night.