Svein

My Helpx co-host, Svein, is a Norwegian artist. Now 80, he is slowing down a bit. Operations for cancer and a hernia, the recent death of his brother, all reminding him of his own mortality.

He dreamt of being an artist. Applied for the art school. His mother schemed of him being an architect, pretended his application for art school was rejected.

In the end he became an artist anyway.

He married at 27, his wife was 16, a classical dancer in Oslo. They had two children, but the marriage didn't work out.

He moved to Denmark. Sold some work.

Thirty years ago he met Maureen and they have been together since, in Jersey, Spain and Denmark. They moved to Ventarique 18 years ago, the first foreigners. Now it's half Spanish, half English . . . plus Svein and Maureen.

The building bonanza pushed up prices to four times their current value. Many have no water and any illegal ones (there are plenty) cannot connect to the electricity supply.

In summer they live in Denmark and have been trading in antiques, though both are well past retirement age.

At the bar, I asked Svein what the expats do all day. One arrived, Svein asked him. He said some did bits and pieces of work, but had promised himself he would not do anything. Which was what he was doing, or not. Apart from smoking and drinking. Others came in, though the subject was not pursued. They pass the days somehow.

In groups, they play the stereotype expat. I am hoping to talk to some individually, find out more about their lives, their hopes and dreams.

What is the Norwegian stereotype, I ask. Svein starts to explain the differences between Norwegians, Swedes and Danes. Between Norwegians from the north and the more sophisticated south. Maureen becomes animated. They are all selfish, she says. Too much money. I am not clear if Svein is included in this tirade or not.

My observation, despite the smiley photo, is morose. Friendly enough, mildly depressed, taciturn. Wistful for a life that might have been.

Svein still wants to see more of the world, though most of all to return to Hobart, Tasmania, of which he has fond memories.

His fate appears to be an imminent cruise somewhere warmer . . . expats afloat . . . angst selling houses here and in Denmark, a base in the valleys of South Wales and package holidays abroad as long as his health holds out.