Josefin Hallbeck and her family lived in Jämtland 18 years ago, but when the children were still young they moved back to Skåne, to be close to the children’s grandparents.
As the children grew up, she started to think about moving back some time, and when one of the daughters started university in Östersund and Josefin’s previous job as cantor in Näskott became vacant again, there was no longer any reason to hesitate.
“It’s as if we’re given guidance, like some higher force showing us the way,” says Josefin in her gentle Scanian accent.
Not long after they decided to move, they even found the house that was to become their new home.
“We had been thinking about renting to start with, but there was so much about this house that felt like home,” she relates.
The reason for the move was a longing to do something new and to move at a slower pace. Josefin, who has just turned 50, was enticed by walks along the pilgrims’ trail, reading and a quieter life, but also for others in the family and the children, who are now grown up, moving to Jämtland felt like a good idea.
“Everyone wanted to be on board. It’s a strange but lovely feeling,” says Josefin.
Next to the house in Alsen there is also a building that was previously used as the Care Centre. A district nurse by the name of Ruth practised there during the 80s, and the house is still known locally as Sister Ruth’s House. It wasn’t long before Josefin’s idea of converting the house to a place to stay for friends from afar and other visitors along the pilgrims’ trail became a reality.
In the house used as a clinic, which had been left untouched, there was still a bunk bed and part of the old equipment when they started renovating. The house has now been cleared, and the walls have been painted.
The house has two rooms with four beds in total, and a toilet. In Sister Ruth’s House visitors come to a made-up bed, and a little fridge with some food for breakfast.
