Category: Journal

Last week I was questioning the practices of the local police; questioning how they spent their resources (Crime in Progress). This morning a PC was knocking on my door, letting me know that they had found my stolen bicycle and needed my help to make an arrest.

Continue reading “Define irony”

The Euro referendum in Sweden is decided. The voting ended Sunday 18 PM GMT and the votes were counted 3 hours or so later.
More than 5.4 million out of 7 million votes were cast. Over 56% of the voters said No which means that Sweden will NOT adopt the Euro (€) as its currency. The Yes backers might have been hoping for a late surge in support due to the killing of Swedish foreign minister Anna Lindh but that didn’t happen.

Continue reading “Sweden says no to Euro”

One of Carla’s best friends from Brasil is visiting us for the next 10 days. Once again we get to put on our tourist hats and venture down town London to pick some of it’s many ripe offerings. Grand buildings, theaters, restaurants, museums, parks and bars are some of the things on the itinerary. Of course, the party hat is neither never far away when guests are visiting.
Washing machine fixed and that is very pleasing. The joy of clean and warm socks in the morning will be here again. How I have missed you and your humming my big, white and heavy friend.
Work has been tough the past week with long hours and frantic typing. Well, it has to be done.

SARCASM ON
On way to work today there was a surprise for people cycling through Kensington Gardens (London, UK). On the 100m path between a car road and a cycle path in the park, a civil police car was waiting. I saw a crime in progress, a lady cycling on her way to work, and it was swiftly dealt with by the police. The lady was stopped, pulled aside, interrogated and handed a penalty. Now this is really great, knowing that police resources are well spent.
SARCASM OFF
Another more serious crime is a retired lady that for some reason is not able to afford housing and is forced to sleep/live in a pedestrian subway. She might not have any family or friends left but she is definitely let down by a state that is not able to provide a shelter for the less fortunate.

Just been getting a coffee from local Cafe Nero and the barista serving me was so keen on serving the two ladies behind me he:

1. Forgot to charge me. I had to remind him after he was done with the ladies.
2. Messed up my order. Served me regular instead of Grande.
3. Forgot to stamp my loyalty card. I had to stretch over the counter and stamp it while he was busy chatting up one of the ladies.

The moral of the story? I am a loyal person who is satisfied with less and too honest his own financial good.

Cleaning can be so therapeutical. I was really looking forward to some time of to tackle the increasing amount of grime at our place.
Vacuuming, scrubbing, washing, drying, and shredding (leaves in garden). Clean pad, clean mind.
Then just 6hrs helping a good friend (Svante) moving (what are friends for). Ok, most of the time was spent on the busy roads of London and some time in the pub munching on figs and Parma ham and downing Budvar (the Czech one).
Pedro and his flatmate invited us for dinner (1st or 2nd time ever 🙂 and it was majora. Brazilian food at its home-made best. Once again thank you Bruno!
Update 1/9/03
Oh yeah, forgot to mention. Insurance company X honoured my claim so I got a new bike. Sweet.
Listening to: Arabesque

A very old friend Snorri and his girl friend Lotta are visiting us for a couple of days. So of course, we called some friends over and a Sushi party was on. Nothing like chilled cheap rose wine and salmon sashimi on a late summer evening.
Feng Sushi let us down though, shame on you. Did not deliver until 1hr after the order was made and part of the order was missing. What is going on, you are always aces normally.
I really enjoy having friends visiting. You get a chance to catch up on old times and planning touristy things makes me appreciate London so much more. It’s easy to forget you live in one of the most exciting (bar Helsingborg) towns in Europe when you work 9-7 and spend weekends DIYing.

This weekend was an annoying mix on bad things and good things to happen. Yes, it was the worst weekend in a long time but also I had some wonderful time with Carla and Ginger.
The bad
Coming home last Friday (day before bank holiday) discovering our car has been towed. Getting a cab to fetch the car and paying a ransom worthy of Robin Hood to get it.
Missing our plane to Scotland and thus the 2 months ago planned trip. Bummer.
Coming home after a road trip (see below) and discovering my bike had been stolen. I had become quite attached to it during the last 3 years. Maybe because it has had to carry a lot of weight around…
Can you top this foul luck?
The good
Desperately we decided for a road trip to the North with Ginger on board. As soon as we passed Oxford we started feeling bit better and arriving in the Lake District we soon forgot our worries. The narrow roads and steep hills sure helped.
Windermere was a charming village but we found our retreat at Leeming House, just by Ullswater. What a charming area! I really enjoyed walking around and smelling the nature as it ought to be, not poisoned by urban pollution. So THAT is the colour of trees.
Photos…
Hmm, I should be able to get a brand new bike. At least that is what insurance company X claims.

Phew… I escaped from Carla’s wrath, but it was close.
We are planning to visit Edinburgh and surroundings, Perth among other cities.
This is the last weekend of the Fringe Festival so that will be fun checking out. We also have a (dubious) white water rafting booked.
Turns out that there is a Harley Davidson get-together in Perth and thus all possible housing have been booked up for weeks. I know I should have booked months ago but it just ain’t me. I almost gave Carla (another) chance to say I told you so.
The Crees Inn looks very charming and if you are in the neighbourhood, do pop over for an ale or six.
Anyways, back 26th of August…