2010-07-15: Applications to university accepted

Yesterday we got the message that we both are accepted to our first choice of university studies. It is a 2 year education focused on Development of e-commerce services. It is of course an important milestone that we got accepted, and we look forward to the studies.

2010-07-09: New eyes - glasses goodbye!

Yesterday I (Mats) had an eye operatation and removed the natural original lens and got it replaced with an artificial bifocal lens. The method is called RLE (Refractive Lens Extraction or CLE (Clear Lens Extraction). The operation was rather straight forward and painless. Dr Wamidh Simawi and his team at Capio Medicular really took care of me in a professional way.
Already leaving the operation I had some eyesight, and when I came home 2 hours after the operation I could watch TV. Gradually the short range eyesight is comming and I can now, 24 hours after the operation, use the computer. We just think it is totally amazing, and Anne is more or less getting convinced to do the same thing if her eyes are suitable for operation.

2010-06-28: Swedish Midsommar in Blekinge archipelago

We have had the pleasure to spend almost a full week with our dear friend Björn and his family. They have a paradise in the wonderful archpelago of Blekinge - one of our favorit places in Sweden. The first days it was only us and Björn, but day by day the group grew bigger. The day after Midsommar eve we were 17 people having a nice party!

Midsommar eve at Tjärö

Relaxed sailing in the sun

2010-06-19: Mats last day in office yesterday!

Yesterday was the last working day for me. It feels a bit strange - like going for a long, long vacation. Before leaving the office I sent out an email to all colleagues and friends. It was amazing and encouraging to get such a massive respons - my mailbox got totally filled with greetings from all over the world,  to me and Anne! Thank you all, and keep in touch!

The last day was celebrated with family, and we enjoyed a very good concert with Rod Stewart.

2010-06-13: Our friend Kaj is leaving Sweden

Today we said "see you soon" to our friend Kaj, when he left Malmö Dockan for his around the world tour. A lot of people showed up to say goodbye, and I think we all are keen to follow his adventure. We hope to connect somewhere in the area where we are going to sail, in two or three years.









Proud and happy skipper!







Kaj will be away for approximately 5 years, and for the first leg to the Canary Island the crew is Lena, a nice lady with a lot of sailing experience. For the trip over the Atlantic one of Kaj´s old friends will join as well.

Well arranged party just next to the boat. Champange soon to be served - then time to leave.

We must say that we envy them a bit. We can´t wait until it is time for us!

At the moment we do not know exact when that time will be. The interst for buying houses seems to have dropped at least for a while, and we have taken the house from the market during the summer. It can of course effect our timeplan, but that does not concern us very much at the moment.

2010-05-03: We got our apartment!

First of May was a BIG day for us. We got the keys to our apartment i Hästveda - a small village in middle of Skåne (the most southern region i Sweden). When we decided to take a break, we realised that it was not very practical to keep our house. We started looking for a place to store our stuff, and in best case maybe we could find a place where we also could stay when going to Sweden. After looking at a couple of places, we found a perfect apartment that was big enough for our stuff, gives us plenty of space when we are in Sweden, and is within the budget. When we saw the apartment first time months ago, we didn´t hesitate many seconds. Going there the second time was a little bit scary. Honestly we didn´t have a very clear picture on what we signed up for. Opening the door we directly felt that this was really fantastic - a place we can call home!
With the help from Mats sisters family (sister Carina, husband Wyatt and the kids, Carl and Anna) and Anne´s daughter Mikaela and boyfriend Johan, we managed to get a lot of things into the right place already the first day. This was not the main move though. Our plan is to leave the house in end of August, and that is when a moving company will take care of all our stuff.
Our real estate agent will start market our house this week. We believe that we have an attractive house, and hope that the sell process will go smoothly - but you never know.

2010-04-15: Progress report

Today we sold the berth where we have had our former boat Mirage during the summers. The buyers probably got a good deal, and we hope they will enjoy it as much as we have.
We are step by step getting ready for the adventure. A real estate agent is contacted, and will start market our house the second weekend in May. The first weekend in May we get access to our new apartment, where we will store most of our stuff and have as home when we visit Sweden. We feel that we are on track with everything.