11 August 2010

As we are nearing end of what has been an absolutely fascinating holiday I thought it appropriate to explain just how such a mixed bunch of people came to find themselves in one place in Sweden. It all started with William, Michael’s eldest son, who from a very small boy had always been fascinated by wildlife. At the age of 17 he found himself at a wildlife conference and met a number of people connected with conservation, photography etc. This personable young man  approached  a number of people there offering to work for nothing if they would take him on. It just happened that a Swede, called Lars Abe, hearing of such offers, advised the young William not to do that but instead suggested that he came back with him to Sweden where he, and his wife Nina, both of whom hadh quite a reputation in wildlife photography, would take him in hand and teach them as much as they knew. How could any young man resist such an offer? He went  and took the train to Lindesberg, some 52 km from a little village called  Loa.  William decided to hitchhike to Loa but no car would stop to pick up a young man in the dark.. He got about 15 km. towards the village when a car pulled up behind him which turned out to be a police car.  William explains that he was trying to get to Loa. Fortunately the police spoke English and offered to take him to a pub in a  town nearby where he was bound to meet some residents of Loa. Here, William  coyly asked the assembled drinkers if there was anyone there from Loa.  He was very fortunate in that Astrid, who the readers will remember I mentioned earlier, was there with a friend and offered to take him to the village. The next day he contacted Lars Abe.

That was in 1985 and he has been there, on and off, ever since. A short while later he met, and fell in love with  the lovely Lena, who I mentioned yesterday, and as a result Leo  was born.

That is the short version as told to me by William but I can do no better than to reproduce the eulogy given by William at Lasse’s funeral.  It is a truly wonderful story.

 

In memory of Lasse

It is seldom one can claim to have had the good fortune of meeting a person that has directly influenced and supported your life in ways that you yourself couldn’t possibly have imagined at the time. I have been doubly blessed because not only has this happened to me, but that person happened to be Lars Åby, known to all simply as, Lasse.

Even with the knowledge that Lasse didn’t have much time left on this earth, his passing came as an incredible shock for me. I simply don’t remember being so sad about anything. An enormous hole has suddenly appeared. And while I can’t fill that hole I would like to share with all of you some of the memories that I have of Lasse.

Jeff and I use to joke about Lasse being the “unofficial lord mayor” of Löa. Of course he was so much more than this. All you had to do was to cast an eye over our little village to see how many people’s lives he has influenced through the years. Indeed, he could have single-handedly opened a local immigration office he was that good at attracting people to Löa. But unlike our immigration offices, integration or making people feel welcome and at home, was his speciality. It is no secret, that if I hadn’t met Lasse I would never have come to Sweden and I probably would not have been a film-maker either!

We first met back in 1985, in Bristol, at a wildlife film symposium. It was the last night of what had been a week long event and I remember that evening scene as if it were yesterday. Indeed, it was like cinema, we had already said our goodbye’s and Lasse had just stepped into the hotel elevator, for he was travelling home early the next day. Standing there in the foyer, with my heart in my mouth, I managed to blurt out “if I work for free, can I come and get some film experience with you?” Lasse calmly turned round and faced me with that wonderful warm smile and that glint in the eye that we all know so well said, “you have my address, if you can find your way to Sweden, you will be very welcome”. The lift doors closed and Lasse was gone!

I remember just standing there in that hotel foyer facing those silver doors and feeling so incredibly happy. What I didn’t realise then, but do now, is that in effect I had just met my “guardian angel!”

Three weeks later I was in Sweden. The train had stopped 50km short of my destination, in Frövi, and didn’t go any further. It was a dark October night and without thinking I decided to hitch-hike!

Optimism, promptly abandoned me at that last street light, and perhaps after 5 kilometres, of what turned out to be a 15 kilometre trek, fear was my only companion. I remember thinking, “Shit! They have wolves and bears in this country!” Of course, no car was mad enough to pick up a man walking along a dark forest road. But in the end, the police did!

I always use to tease Lasse about what a “scrooge” he was with money. I use to feel embarrassed when he would gleefully pocket a receipt for the smallest deduction it might give him. He was definitely from that wise old school of  “look after the small amounts and the large amounts will take care of themselves” In reality, I have never met a more generous man than Lasse. I was so generously taken into his home (and Nina’s!) and given so much more than just lessons in film-making.

One very important moment for me happened early on when I had just had the most fantastic day with him. It was late and he said goodnight and as he turned away he added “tack för idag” (thank you for today). I remember being rooted on the spot by this. With all his generosity, why on earth was he thanking me?! This phrase, more than any other, is the one that I have always connected with Lasse.

His patience with me was of legendary proportions. My incessant questioning must have driven him up the walls at times. To make matters worse, I had never seriously taken a picture in my life. So he had to literally begin from the ground up. My first assignment was when he gave me a still camera and two rolls of film and sent me out to photograph an essay on trees. These were then developed and he went through each one discussing their merit. Quite simply, there was no merit, they were awful! But Lasse, patient as ever, would always explain things and then send me out to do it again. In that first period I probably “destroyed” 50 rolls of his film!

In his athletic days we use to drive up to Klacken every other night where he taught me to cross-country ski. Who would have thought he was so ferociously competitive? I remember flailing after him, dripping in sweat and thinking angrily, “how I wished his fat arse would fall over”. We were also secret watchers of crap-television. Late at night when the house was quiet we would sneak into the tv room to watch Dallas, Falcon Crest (and happily I have forgotten the third one). These were always viewed with bread straight out of the oven and dripping with melted butter. His arctic stories would fill books and obviously can’t fit here. But one, and as he describes it “his most stupid moment”, was the time when he exited an outdoor toilet on Svalbard carrying toilet paper in the right hand, 44 magnum in the left, only to be confronted by a polar bear! Lasse threatened the bear with the toilet paper and then, feeling so ridiculous, ran straight past the bewildered animal back into the hut!

My first film experience was editing Lasse’s “Narwhales & Eskimo” film. On that day, when we were to begin, I could hardly contain my excitement. Now I was going to watch film editing! But Lasse always had the ability to surprise you. With a wicked smile he promptly threw me in the deep end by announcing that I was going to edit the film. Excitement quickly turned to dread but Lasse, calm as always, sat down beside me, with coffee and snus to hand, and quietly said “lets begin”. I managed to complete that project  solely through his skill in directing me on what to do.

Many years later after I had finished the rough cut of our film “Vision Man” I called Lasse in to see the first version. As the last scene rolled off the table I received the biggest film-making compliment I will ever get. He said nothing. He just sat there and looked at the empty screen with the softest of smiles on his face. He was crying.

School was out.

I suppose trying to write how much Lasse meant to me and my family is from the outset a hopeless task. Most of you know how deeply this goes but when I think about it…well, it’s nearly hard to believe. That we are just one example, amongst many, many people is simply remarkable. But then, Lasse was a most remarkable man!

Outside my kitchen window I have planted a little oak tree in memory of Lasse. I find it completely appropriate because, for me, Lasse was “an oak amongst men”.

I like the idea of it living for a 1000 years but it probably won’t. No matter.

I picture it as this mighty tree in the future long after the memory of Lasse – and all of us – has faded away completely.

But what won’t have faded is that wonderful influence his life has played on countless people that will continue down through future generations in so many different ways.

Of course, they won’t even be aware of it – but we were!

Now that’s what I call a “guardian angel”.

Tack för idag! 

William Long

Tonight, the last day of the Irish and the German family’s holiday, it was decided to give a party..

A number of phone calls were made casually inviting William and Michael’s  many friends to drop in,  which many of them did, some with their instruments, mainly guitars.

The party turned out to be a wonderful affair. A bonfire was built in the drive with a small barbecue but despite the heavy rain from time to time we all managed to feed really well. The promised musical concert was somewhat dissipated by the weather. Delia gave us a short piano recital which we had to listen to from the adjacent guesthouse.. This was followed by some Swedish ballads, lustily played and sung, by Lars and Philip (Wiesslegren). We then had a beautiful Scottish ballad from Lasse (Larsson) -the local vet -  interspersed with beautiful songs from Leonard -the retired schoolteacher – playing his guitar and occasionally accompanied by Lillimor, who has a fine powerful voice. The three eldest Schneider children stayed up late and joyfully joined in the singing and waving, entirely impromptu.

Obviously. I cannot possibly mention every guest by name, apart from  the fact I probably couldn’t remember who they all were.  However, I must just mention that I had the great pleasure and privilege of meeting the famous Swedish Treasure, Nina Hedenieus, the internationally renowned filmmaker who was responsible,together with her equally famous popular partner, Lars Abe, who sadly died recently, for bringing with William to Lo. This was the crowning glory to what was, for me, a very memorable night.  Incidentally, I understand that the title Swedish Treasure is one confirmed, very rarely, on persons who have made a very special contribution to Swedish society and, I gather, carries with it modest stipend.   That shows you how very important Nina is considered to be

12 August 2010

A sad day,. in as much as both  families, the Schneider’s and the Irish  are leaving today.   I have heard about both families for so many years from Michael that it was a great pleasure to spend a week in their company. I know that Irish family were not complete as there were three other brothers who did not come — one of whom, Cathal (Carl) is in Australia but the one brother who did come, Eammon., although quietly, going about his business most of the time, was extremely kind and helpful whenever I needed something fetched or  done. Father.  Simon was a wag with a dry Irish sense of humour and Nora, his companion, was an absolute poppet.  A beauty in body and  it looks nature; amongst other things she kindly re-sewed my the electric shaver pouch which I clamp to my right hand,  in order to shave gliding down.

The German family turned out to be delightful. Father, Andy, a 45 year old, eminent gynecologist from Coburg, Germany keeping eye on his flock of seven. Delia, whom he married when she was 17 was a lovely 28 year old who manages her five children magnificently. Between them they have  done a great job, up to date, in bringing up  five children, four of their own and one whom they foster. All of whom have different  needs and desires and yet, live and play happily together into one unit.  I shall be fascinated to see how the three eldest turnout.  The eldest is a boy, 10-year-old Adrian, who delights in wearing his hair at shoulder length to confuse people as to his gender.  He is most like my grandson of the same age, Fred. Then we have nine-year Nils, a waggish robust little lad who, as time went on, made great efforts to speak to me in English and did not make a bad shot of it. Nils seemed to me to be very similar in character to my own dear little grandson, Sebastian -coincidentally, they are both mad on drums. Then there was darling seven-year old Anika, most like my own little Lara, a real heart stealer the last  of the Schneider’s natural family was to five year old Nora.  Very shy and I did not really get to know how very well.  Lastly, came the 2 ½.year old foster child, Laura, a little darling, if, understandingly, a little more attention seeking than her adoptive siblings. 

She was a dear little thing and quite often took hold of my gutter frame in an attempt to assist me to walk.. If I had a magic carpet, and a genie I could scoop up any number of these children and happily take them home with me.

 Apart from being a great mum, and immensely helpful member of this combined household, Delia is a very accomplished pianist and has entertained us, from time to time, on the piano in the main farmhouse. Unfortunately we have not been able to enjoy the full impact of her beautiful playing because it was behind closed doors, 20 yards from the guesthouse. She clearly needs these moments of respite from the arduous task of keeping an eye on five healthy and exuberant children.

It was extremely hard to say goodbye to all my new friends but inevitably it had to be. ( For those on you who hate long goodbyes I thoroughly recommend you go to the video section of this blog and look at the one entitled I Hate Long Goodbyes — It is very amusing) .

Michael drove the Schneider’s to Stockholm, 2 ½. hours drive away, arriving back  in the early evening.  That day William was charged with looking after me.  We had a great day together  and  Really enjoyed each others company it gave me a great opportunity to get to know William a the little better,. We spent the best part of the day sitting on the veranda in the afternoon sunshine yawning away about life in general, and our  families in particular. Towards the middle of the afternoon we enjoyed a visit from Moa, (Gunnersson) yet another doctor, who had been a guest at the party the night before but we had not had the opportunity to have a chat and she was keen to do so.  The highlight of her visit was a solo performance of what the Swedish call, Kjula  The nearest thing I can liken it to is yodelling in the Swiss Alps.  Cupping her hands to her mouth, Moa, projected her voice through a series of different messages across the hills beyond.  This is an ancient way of parsing messages on from one person to another and was absolutely fascinating.  We would greatly privilege to have Moa performed just for us..

13 August 2010

This morning was spent with the good doctor packing for both of us before leaving around midday for the airport.  The transition from the farm, the flight and drive home, picked up by Barry, all went without a hitch.

The good doctor only staying overnight, was soon on his way back to Sweden for another five days, with son William, before returning to  Australia, via Heathrow, London.. As I said before, a restless soul but one who has been magnificent to me,  looking after me like a mother hen without the slightest outward sign of irritation.  What an extremely  lucky man to have such a splendid friend.

Having said all that, there is no place like home and more important, nowhere I would rather be than with my lovely’.

On the day I arrived in Sweden, I included, on my blog entry, a quotation from George Bernard Shaw which I thought that my readers would find inspirational and in some degree reflected the good doctor’s attitude to life and therefore was appropriate for me to quote. As I continued with the delightful break, only made possible by the unselfish attention given to me by Michael, I cannot resist including yet one more quotation which I found on his desk.

This one from Friar Aengus Finicane, former chief executive of Concern,  which I gather is an organisation set up to help impoverished Africans. He wrote

“ Do as much as you can,

  As well as you can,

  For as long as you can,

  For as many as you can”

I think that sums up Michael’s philosophy as well. He helps so many people and I am very fortunate to be included amongst them

14 August 2010

After the good doctor had gone to the airport to fly back to Sweden, I spent the morning struggling with my upside down,  tea encrusted, laptop.  It was all very exhausting and in the end I abandoned the task.

I think this of  an appropriate  point at which to mention my current physical state at the end of this holiday.  I believe my right arm is very slightly weaker as there were occasions when towards the end of a meal I needed to be fed.  Legs, again, maybe just a little bit weaker but I’m still managing quite well with the gutter frame.  The main difference is in my breathing.  Real exertion is starting to leave me slightly breathless.  I will know better on this score when I go to Papworth Hospital next month. 

Having said that, despite being advised by the doctor following my last visit to Papworth, that I should ask the airline to provide oxygen, the good doctor said, not to bother, nor did I.  Apparently, he observed me during the two flights breathing slightly faster than normal but nothing to worry about. Apart from that not much change

15 August 2010

Although it is Sunday, and his mother-in-law’s 30th wedding anniversary, my good friend Duncan Rix, came around to sort out my computer for me.  Although he managed to get the picture the right way up there is undoubtedly damage to the keyboard so it will have to go back to Toshiba.  In the meantime I am reverting to my laptop to maintain this blog.  I spent what time I had left today editing all of the corrupted entries made in Sweden.

16 August 2010

I spent a very busy day catching up on all the things that had built-up whilst I had been away.  I also contacted AbilityNet who have arranged for the tea soaked laptop to be picked up tomorrow and repaired.

The most exciting event today was booking my flights, and those of the good doctor, to Bangkok for mid-October.  Michael is adamant that we go whether or not by then I am wheelchair-bound.  The resort in Hua Hin is fully prepared for this eventuality so we have decided to go for it.  I just pray I do not go to much further downhill in the meantime.h

18 August 2010

Another milestone. I made it !! It Is my 76 birthday today.  The sun is shining and the weather is fine, unlike yesterday when I went to the geriatric golf day and spent much of the time sheltering, from the drizzle,.in Griggs’ buggy.  Today, however was to be entirely different – a sunshine day.  Both ‘children’, Miles and Chloe, came down from London to celebrate the occasion. Smiler,  very kindly shouted us lunch at the Axe and Compass’  in Arkesden – very good it was too. We then sat, in the garden, in the sunshine, chatting with me smoking one of my best cigars, before ‘my lovely’ produced a scrummy chocolate birthday cake. Jane (the sheep) kindly called in, to wish me a happy birthday, and so joined us for tea.

I also had a number of telephone calls, during the day, wishing me a happy birthday, as well as half a dozen e-mails on the same business. How very kind of people to remember and take the trouble.. Personally, I am very bad on that score and tend, lazily, to leave such things to ‘my lovely’, who, unlike me, is brilliant and never forgets anyone..

As well as the splendid lunch and tea I was showered with presents including, from ‘the children’, another really good, ‘hands free’, telephone with enormous buttons, which makes it easy to use with my useless hands. Kimberley, Smiler’s wife sent me lots of delicious things to eat. Sadly, she could not be with us as she was working, as was my son-in-law, Karl.

Apart from her other presents, ‘my  lovely’ gave a bottle of Pol Roger which she insisted on opening for in the evening. I didn’t resist too much! Thus, rounding off a memorable day.

19 August 2010

Not a very auspicious start to my 77^th. year.  I managed to fall off the bed, at 5 a.m., banging my head heavily on the floor.  It ‘my lovely’ almost 1 hour to get me up and back into bed, using a series of low chairs and the rising mechanism on the NHS bed No harm done except for a grazed shin.  Later in the day my legs gave way in the hall and again I crashed to the floor.  This time we had to elicit the assistance off to build a working opposite to get me onto my feet again.  I hope that this is not the beginning of the end for my legs and that they were both just freak accidents.

20 August

Utter frustration, there is a 30 sec. delay between me dictating  and the text appearing on the screen. For this reason I shall await the return of my newer laptop, hopefully, on Monday, before making any further entries. In the meantime, I thoroughly recommend reading the account of the Swedish trip – 1Aug-14 Aug

21 August 2010

As my computer has decided to behave itself again I am attempting another entry.  There has been a complete shambles over the election of trustees to the  MND Association.  I submitted my application form, supported by two trustees,  well before the closing date of 11^th. of June.  I completed the form online  and then pressing the ‘Submit’ button at the bottom of the form.  I naturally assumed that this had been received but I never actually got a formal acknowledgment. I suppose, in that respect, I was at fault, although at the time I was fully engaged in other business. 

You can imagine my surprise then when I received a ballot form on Friday that did not include my name.  Fortunately, I was able to to check on my computer and confirm that I submitted my application at 12.01 on 6 June.. Naturally, I contacted the Association and this started the hare running.  I must say they took the matter very seriously and acted very promptly, taking advice from solicitors, auditors etc..  I felt very embarrassed at having caused this disruption in their normal working programme and, of course, the added expense of seeking advice. However, clearly something went wrong which needs to be avoided in the future.

After several discussions with the Vice Chairman of Trustees, I decided it was in the best interests of the Association if I  withdrew my application and hope, without any guarantee of course, that I might be to  co-opted at the first available opportunity whilst I am still strong enough to make a contribution.

. More bad news, England lost the third test to Pakistan by four wickets.  Having said that, it will make the fourth test, at Lord’s, starting next Thursday,  more interesting. With England being to 2-1 up in the series, it leaves the intriguing possibility of Pakistan achieving a drawn series, I believe, for the first time ever.