Cartas - Mail

Rosta Karna house, Gudhjem, Bornholm, Denmark, June 2004.
Sunset in early June on the island of Bornholm, DK at the small fishing village of Gudhjem, where Julian´s great grandfather was born and raised. John Mathias Jensen was the son of a fisherman who used a simple two or three-man boat that could be rowed and sailed an the Baltic. They fished for Herring and brought them home for others in the family to smoke and sell.
This was cold, wet work most of the year. Summer is short. The southern tip of Sweden is 50 miles north, but Copenhagen is 300 miles west, an overnight journey by ferry.
The original house may have been only the small separate building at the far end, about 20x20ft. But later the longer house with four windows was added, roughly 25x40ft. There is a breezeway between the two, the small house being used for cooking and a toilet.
The main house is a large open space with a low ceiling, very bright, with windows on two sides. At present a retired artist rents this place. He lives and paints on the ground floor. The loft above is a spacious bedroom. Outside there is an enclosed private garden, to sit in the sun and read on nice days.
The small hospital nearby is a youth hostel today. Just a block to the right is the ocean and small boat harbour. Gudhjem is built on a slope leading down to the ocean from the farmland plateau just east of town. The beautiful Osterlars round church is just 4 km to the east.
There was once a steam train that ran from Ronne, the ferry port, to Gudhjem and other communities ringing the island. The old train station is now a museum for art and history. Many local artists are featured at the museum. Another modern art museum 4 km north shows the work of local artists, and Ronne has an excellent history museum.
In summer, many Germans, Swedes and Danes flock to Bornholm to enjoy the beaches and the quiet idyllic lifestyle. Grandpa left to see the world, never to return to this lovely place. Go visit Gudhjem if you have the opportunity.

John J.