I am home in my apartment at last, after an absence of several months! Although sailing around Sweden and living onboard a yacht probably seems fun and exotic to many, I can't begin to tell you the pleasure I am feeling at being in my own home again.

The mundane things are feeling wonderful.

I have been admiring my brand new, sparkling and almost completed bathroom... and having a shower there this morning was just lovely! And to pluck my towel, soft and toasty warm from the towel warmer (very decadent, I know) was a joy.



I have been eating food prepared in my own (still to be renovated) kitchen. It was a fantastic feeling to have so much space to bake, to have a fridge that did not have to be packed like a Chinese puzzle and to have my full complement of herbs and spices readily at hand.

However, the absolute BEST, is sleeping in MY OWN bed! Sleep is really important to me and I have the best pillows, the softest sheets and a luxurious matress cover. I love my bed. Sometimes in the morning on a cold weekend I can barely bring myself to get out of the thing it's so good.

The simple things, the things that you miss when you are away are the important things, I think. My home is where I truly relax.

No, the bathroom is not yet fully completed and the kitchen will not be done until late January. I'm sure I won't be quite so delighted when the builders lob here next week just before 7am each morning, but we really wanted to be home again, and especially to wake up here this morning because it is Lars-Göran's birthday.

Sure, I may say often that Lars-Göran is damn lucky to have me as his wife, but if truth be told it's me who is the lucky one. Today he celebrates his 54th birthday (that's right, 54!)



I hope you will all join me in wishing him an incredibly happy birthday. Without his love, support, guidance and strength, I just wouldn't be here. Sometimes, it seems that we take for granted the people we love the most. Those who are so important to our daily lives. It doesn’t mean we don’t care, it's just that sometimes, life gets crazy and there isn’t time to do it all, or say it all.

So, especially today, I want you to know how much I appreciate all the loving things he does. And how much I admire him for being the kind and giving person he is. Happy Birthday to the perfect husband - the one who shares my obsessions with books and cheesy puns and Led Zeppelin, to the man who makes me feel young again.

The celebrations began early yesterday evening when we were invited to dinner by some friends who live in the harbour aboard their ketch Gipsy Lady. They have lived aboard for 15 years and taken her to the Mediterranean and Black Sea, as well as extensively around Sweden. She is set up as a cosy, warm and inviting home, as you can see here:



We loaded up with some South Australian Sauvignon Blanc and headed to the harbour on a crisp, cold winter evening. It was so welcoming when we climbed aboard. Marianne had set up the salon with candle light and served a delicious feast of fresh prawns, white castello cheese (surely a cheese made in heaven) and lots of fresh, crusty bread. We spent several enjoyable hours of laughter and conversation, not to mention eating far too much, drinking many glasses of white wine and several glasses of chilled Bailey's. At midnight, Björn and Marianne sang both the Swedish and English versions of Happy Birthday to You and gave Lars-Göran an unexpected birthday gift. We staggered home at 2am and fell into bed.

As you can imagine, it took a quite some time to get going again today. He got the traditional Swedish birthday breakfast in bed with all of his presents. He looks pretty pleased with his little haul, doesn't he?



We’ve had a low key day, just savouring the joy of being home. There's been a steady stream of calls from family and tonight, a special dinner and even more wine. I hope I sober up in time to get the train into Stockholm tomorrow.

And as for what else he'll be getting later on tonight, I'll leave that to your vivid imaginations.

I'm sure you will do me proud!