The New and the Old

A little over a year ago I had the opportunity to have a look inside a scary old building here in Tungelsta.I first showed you the old shack back in December 2008. In January last year we had a few looks inside. Since then the new owners have set up a new house on the property, but surprisingly the woebegone old shack is still there today.

A Trick of the Eye

Look at those stairs. Do they go up or down or...

A small wardrobe under the stairs in that old house that I have shown you in the last few posts. The wardrobe was filled with books, some of which have now been thrown away. This photo was taken from the kitchen. Everyone I talk to have heard something about the house and the people that have lived here. Today I met a man who lives nearby, he'd often seen the previous owner walk by, smoking one of his cigars. He told me that he had heard that two artists had lived there. That's the first I have heard about that, but it's possible that the two women that had the house built 100 years ago was artists of some kind. If you would like to see a few more photos and read some more about this fascinating place, I have created a flickr set with photos. It's called A woebegone old shack.

A life in pictures

A few more photos from the fascinating old house in Tungelsta that I visited a couple of days ago. The Elephant trunk hangs on a wall on the second floor and it's the first thing you see as you walk up the stairs. Top right is from the inner room on the second floor, where there's a bedsofa, a very messy floor with lots of old postcards spread out. There's a table filled with stuff, an old TV set, and a book case (middle photo), filled with newer and older books and other objects. The wooden cabinet and the sideboard/desk are the finest furniture left. I was told by the new owners that the previous owner had an offer from someone who wanted to buy everything in the house a few years ago, but that he had turned down that offer. From what I saw here I can say that the man who lived here enjoyed jazz music. And boxing, there was many video tapes with old boxing matches. He was also a reader of history and had an interest in World War II. And he owned had a big collection of beetles that sadly had been thrown away on my visit. There was also books about churches and one jar with a preserved snake in it. I will show you some more from this old house tomorrow.

1. Elephant's Trunk, 2. IMG_7400, 3. Wooden Cabinet, 4. Tandavgjutning

The kitchen

I got a guided tour around a spooky old house the other day. Over the years I have heard all sorts of rumours about this place. The property was recently sold. The new owners was hoping to renovate the building, but after a thorough examination they have decided to tear it down and build a new home. The walk-around gave me a shock. The house has no modern facilities at all. No running water or even a toilet. This is the kitchen. Like in the other rooms in the old house it doesn't look as the kitchen has ever been cleaned. The stove is an wood-burning Husquarna 727. This model dates back to 1939. Renovated these sell for around 8000 SEK. It's impossible to think that someone actually lived here up until last year. But that is the sad truth. For the last month or so the new owners have been busy cleaning out the house that was jam packet with stuff. On my visit there was still a lot of stuff left so I will give you another look tomorrow.

Car Wreck

A few weeks ago I met the new owners to a property in Tungelsta. The old house that they had bought has always fascinated me. Over the years I have heard some rumours about the place and now I had a chance to look inside. But before we go in I want show you what was parked behind the house. It's a car wreck. The car is from the 1930ths. How long it's been rusting away there is anyone's guess, but I would have to say 40 or 50 years.

Ramshackle

For many years this house along Hammarbergsvägen in Tungelsta was hidden behind the trees. It was built back in 1929. The family that lived here for many years was called Karlsson. They had three sons. One of them is the same age as my mother and she told me that the dad in the family was known as Karlsson med arslet. That translates to Karlsson with the arse! Not a very nice nickname. He might have been a builder. Anyway the house and property was sold earlier this year. As I walked by here yesterday I noticed the new owner in the garden. He was there with his wife and young son, and they were burning old trees and what have you. I asked him if I could have a look inside the old ramshackle that no one has lived in for a few years and possibly take some photos. He answered "sure, but not today as local kids have been trying to break in and now we can't open the door". He also told me that they will build a new home next to the old house and tear down this old building as soon as the new house is up. And that I was welcome to come back for a look inside after the holidays.