20°C below freezing (–4 F). The coldest day yet since we got back to Sweden.

Last winter it never got below –14° or so, but that was enough to demonstrate the weak insulation in this house. For this winter we’ve put in place a new electric heater in the bathroom, and bought a large extra heater that we can put up when it’s particularly cold. In practice it’s been up and running whenever the temperature outside gets close to –10°.

Now at –20° all the heaters are turned on, and yet we cannot get the indoors temperature to above +16° (and +14° in the bathroom), which is just a little bit too chilly for comfort but actually not too bad, except when undressing. As long as it doesn’t get much colder outside, and as long as we don’t have a blackout.

We ventured outside yesterday when it was only –16° outside. Luckily there was almost no wind, so with proper clothing it didn’t feel too cold, except for the nose and cheeks.

I remember the poor Brits describing the weather as “bloody freezing” when it was +7° or so in London. Wish I could transport them here for a day and show them what real freezing feels like!