We’re leaving, and packing, and every day things get taken away, or packed up, and we live with less things. A table disappears, or a bookcase, or a saucepan. Then there’s no side light, or no dish to put the fish in. The books are packed – you can’t look up to see what the bird of prey was we saw today – there’s only one jacket, no spare towels, and only one table (so everything is put on it), and the sofa is the next to go. It’s like musical chairs – when the music stops at the end of the day you have to find somewhere to sit.
It’s the repeat of when we first came to Kiruna 18 years ago, driving here from England to an unfurnished flat with only what we could bring in a car, which was no furniture and two of any essentials, a couple of camp beds, and a music system. It was probably the happiest time of my life, so I’m looking forward to the repeat.
