Our story :
Yes, like everyone on this site, I fell in love with Sweden and especially the north. Originally from Australia, I was living in Cambridge UK for 5 or 6 years where I met a Swedish gal. I'd been to Sweden before, but not Lapland. We decided to give up work to go and live in her family winter/summer cabin in the middle of nowhere ( about 40 km's south west of Tärnaby ) for 5 months. It was a life-style change and dream for me .... ice fishing, chopping firewood ... saunas and no neighbours ! During the winter the cabin had no running water and just your standard outside toilet with a hole under the toilet seat .... Yes luxury .. we had a seat ! And what a view from the window !
It changed my life ;) ( not just the toilet .. the whole experience ! ) Part of the 'deal' was for me then to take Lindy to my country, Australia. I hadn't been home for 6 years, so off we went. A year later I'd moved back to Lapland, bought an apartment in Tärnaby ( Tarnaby / Taernaby ) and was living the life .. and planning to start our business. The problem was, Lindy, after spending the majority of her life in Sweden ( Örnskoldsvik area ) would've prefered to have stayed in Australia ! Yep " the grass is always greener .. "
So here we are.
Ironically, I moved here for the 'simple life' ... but have never worked so bloody hard ! We took our first holiday in 4.5 years in September 2008 and went back to Australia for 4 weeks. The break was very much needed . I was increasingly turning into Basil/ John Cleese from Fawlty Towers. " Right then ! " and Lindy/ Sybil was threatening to leave me !
After a recent very sad loss in Lindy's family, we're now prioritising what's important in life by working less, and fighting to achieve that life balance that generally Swedes do so well. It's hard with your own business, but we'll keep trying.
Right then . Time to open the café and shout a little at our customers/guests !
Home page: www.TarnabyLapland.com