No ordinary boat trip

Last night it was time for once and for all kick out and close the project that kept me busy for 18 months at work. About half of all the people who was involved in the project met here in Gothenburg. And as on demand the temperature went above 20 degree and the sun was shining form a clear blue sky. Really perfect weather for a boat trip, but not an ordinary boat trip. A trip in a high speed RIB-boat that the Navy, Coast Guard etc uses. Going in 50-60 knots is quite an experience, especially if there are big waves and the boat more or less just bounces off the waves. I've done it once before, on September 11, 2001 (when we got back ashore we found out what have happened) so I will never forget that trip.

With people coming in from all over Europe this was an excellent idea to show them the Swedish west coast. All dressed up in overalls and goggles we headed up the coast passing some of the most beautiful areas outside the city. And yes, I'm very bias since that is where I grew up, spent the summers sailing and learn to love the ocean. 50 minutes later we arrived in Marstrand, which this time of year still is sleepy seaside town. One single pub was open where we had a drink before heading back to the city.

With no wind, no waves so going back into the city was just a very relaxing experience. Going that fast meant you couldn't talk without shouting so all you could do was just to sit back and watch the beautiful scenery. And for me there is nothing more beautiful than the west coast. Arriving in grand style at the bridge next to the Opera House we then continued our evening out on the town, but that's a totally different story....But one thing is for sure, neither of my foreign colleagues will forget that boat trip and either will I. RIB-boats are fun, exciting and a venturous all at the same time.

80 years of marriage

Reading this morning about this British couple celebrating their 80th wedding anniversary yesterday just made me smile. 80 years together is very, very impressive.

Frank, 100, and Anita, 99, married on May 26, 1928, and have now reached their oak wedding anniversary. Together the couple two children, 78-year-old Marie and Frank, 73, plus five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

On the question what's their secrete to a happy marriage is they say "a little kiss before bed, trips to bingo and good plain English food".

They also had some advice to today's young couples:

Anita said: "Couples these days don't last long because they don't take enough time for each other. There just isn't enough respect. "Our advice to young couples would be to make time for a little romance every day."

Retired dock worker Frank added: "We're very proud of what we have achieved. "When we started we had low wages and worked very hard. "The war years were tough - a bomb even dropped on our house. "But we have come through it. Young people today want it all too fast."

Weekend in Stockholm

I spent the weekend in Stockholm and even though it was a rather short visit, arriving late on Friday and leaving by noon on Sunday, I had a great time. I think it has probably been 5-6 years since I went to Stockholm just for pleasure and this time the city really showed its best side. Sunny, maybe some chilly winds, but all trees and flowers in full bloom and then the water. Stockholm is built on about 18 different island so there is water wherever you look and in combination with flowers and sunshine it's quite spectacular.

Along with showing Michael around I also managed to catch up with David, one of my oldest friends. While talking we realised we've been friends for 22 years. OMG! David recommended us to visit a restaurant called Konstnärsbaren (the artist bar) or KB for dinner and the food was just delicious. I had salmon steak, fresh asparagus, fresh potatoes, trout roe and home made hollandaise sauce. As desert I had strawberries and rhubarbs. That too early spring produce. Mmm! To match this marvellous food I had a very nice glass of Chablis.

Sunday we spent walking around Skansen before I had to leave and go to the airport. For a Swede Skansen is probably one of the most Swedish places there is, and over and over I caught myself saying this is sooo beautiful. So even though a bit short it was a very nice weekend and I just what I needed after the last couple of weeks travelling for work.

Island for sale

I think I've found my own little piece of Britain, the catch is that the price tag is £15 million.

Herm in the Channel Islands is about 1.5 miles long and less than half a mile wide. It has only 50 inhabitants, which are swelled by 80 staff during the holiday season, and now its tenants are selling the lease.

No cars, no bicycles only quad bikes and tractors for the locals. Sandy white beaches prefect for long walks. Sounds perfect. Back in 2002 the island also won the Britain in Bloom competition in the "Small Coastal Resort" category. Can't get any better, can it?

Anybody coming with me? We'll be the new tenants. Only a Lieutenant Governor away from the Queen.

This charming man

I'm not really a big fan of Chick Litt any longer. There are too many books out there now and many of them have just become a bit too much of a cliché in my opinion. But there are some good books and spending the day reading one of those can be just divine.

I think Marian Keyes is one of the authors who created the genre, and still when she has a new book out I have to buy it. So arriving in Dublin last week and waiting for the hotel shuttle I popped into the airport bookshop and there it was, her latest book called This charming man. Faith maybe?! Arriving in Marian Keys home town and the first thing I see is her new book...

I never had the time to start reading it, which in some sense was good, because when I started on Sunday night I couldn't stop. The book is as charming as the rest of her books, but still with some substance touching subjects such as cancer and abuse. The Dublin Metro newspaper gave it 3½ stars and I very much a agree. This is Chck Litt at its very best.

Beautiful scenery

Beautiful scenery
Originally uploaded by cathy257

What I will remember most from last week's business trip to Ireland, besides meeting tons of new people, is probably the scenery. While taking the train from Dublin to Belfast I was able to see the coastline, mountains and plenty of green fields. And it all looked the way I had pictured it from photos and films. Just beautiful. OK, so it was a very nice day, but the the Anglophile in me would most likely find it beautiful in any weather.

I most definitely have to go back to Ireland on a holiday and see more of this beautiful country. Dublin charmed me already last summer and now I know the other parts are just as amazing.

Freezing cold

What ever happened to that nice summer weather we a had the week before last? The same weather that followed me over to the British Isles last week. It's gone, gone, gone. The sun is still shining though, but this morning it was -1 (30F) and today the temperature managed to reach only 8 degrees (48F). Freezing cold for being in the end of May even for Sweden. Brr! I'm off to make a cup of tea.

Home sweet home

After being home for two days I can only say that there is nothing like my own bed and I do love my flat.

I really don't mind travelling for business, but staying in three different hotels in four nights can wear out even the most hardcore business traveller. You unpack, sleep and pack again. The first two nights I stayed at The Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laogahire and I loved every minute of it. As a company we have a special corporate rate there and if it's possible we usually get upgraded to a Executive Room, which was just fabulous. I even had my own balcony.

In Belfast my colleague and I had been booked in at the Templepatrick Hotel and Country Club staying in Deluxe Rooms with view over the golf course. I have to admit I had rather high hopes on the room, especially after my fabulous stay at the Royal Marine. Unfortunately this wasn't the case. The view over the golf course and mountains was beautiful, but other than that my my room was old and worn down. I was also very surprised to the see housekeeping cleaning out the rooms when we arrived a bit after 7 pm. That should have been done in the morning. I do not like to navigate between piles of old sheets and towels. When I a bit disappointed described my room to my colleague she looked quite puzzled. Her room was a real suite with two rooms, separate sitting area, two TV-sets etc. Since we both were paying for a deluxe room we decided to ask the receptionist, and it turned out my colleague was staying in the bridal suite since the hotel was overbooked. So she definitely got her money worth, while I'm not so sure I did. At least not for only one night. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the room. Clean, big bed, fluffy towels and so on, but the picture on the website gave me the impression of something else.

My last night on the road I stayed at at a Holiday Inn just outside Heathrow and by the time I finally got there (about midnight) I was just happy to have a bed. Due to an error in a flight control system at an airport in the Netherlands all air traffic in western Europe was halted for an hour meaning that I didn't get out of Belfast until 10 pm. Finally at Heathrow an hour later I managed to pick a taxi with one of the rudest drivers I have ever met. His first question to me was not where I was going instead he wondered if I had any money to pay with. Excuse me, but I usually don't get into a taxi without money. The question might have been more relevant if I had turned up with a backpack, half dirty and worn out. Not as now wearing a business suit. Stupid man!

The room was OK with a view over the M4. A typical airport hotel where one sleep and that's it. The pillows where very flat and having slept with very fluffy and comfy pillows the other nights it felt like I had no pillows at all.

What have amazed me most during this trip and the one to Poland the week before, and actually the last business trips before that, is that I have slept like a log every night. I never sleep well the first night in a hotel. When I started sleeping well at the hotel in London I just thought it was because that place is so familiar to me by now, but both in Poland and Ireland as well. Maybe I'm becoming one of those (Women) Road Warriors that can sleep everywhere?! But with that said, home sweet home is still my favourite place in the world to stay at.

To Ireland

My third and last week as trainer starts tomorrow with me flying out to Ireland for the whole week. First Dublin and then up Belfast before going home via London.

I've done the training/presentation I don't know how many times now, and today it hit me that it's an art to keep things interesting and involving even though I probably could do the whole thing in my sleep by now. Oh well just another week, and it's always fun to meet and get to know new people.

Going to Belfast is going to be fun as well. If I'm lucky I'll get an afternoon off when I'm there so I'm planing of doing a bit of sightseeing. Growing up one heard about Belfast more or less every day on the news and now it's one of the most prosperous cities in Europe. Truly fascinating.

There is some sort of international conference going on while I'm there so finding a room was pretty hard. The Managing Director's PA found finally found me a room outside the city at a Country Club. Apparently my room has view over the golf course, separate working area, WiFi and a balcony. Really, what more can a girl ask for?! Too bad I'm there for business and will probably not even think about all those extra touches. We'll see...

Talk about bad day

On Tuesday evening a 42 year-old man in Tennessee was involved in car crash. His wife heard the crash and rushed outside leaving the kitchen stove unattended where she has been cooking. Within minutes the couples trailer was on fire. While being airlifted to the hospital the man could literally see his home go up in smoke. After being treated at the hospital and released he was cited in the accident for failure to yield. What a day!

Pleasantly surprised

Back home from Poland I have to say that I was pleasantry surprised. My image of a grey and worn out country was so wrong. And not a single sight of a old cars like Trabant or Skoda.

Instead I saw colourful renovated buildings, western brands including Tesco (which I never could imagine seeing outside the British Isles), restaurants and shops living up to the standard of any (east) European country. I was told that northern Poland where I visited is more prosperous than the south. In the south one can still sometimes wonder what century it really is as horses and carriages are for example still common.

My post-Soviet era hotel was very nice. Newly renovated with clean and spacious rooms, very fluffy duvets, comfortable beds and a nice bathroom. The only thing that made me think was that the toilet was separated from the rest of the bathroom. Two doors next to each other. But on the other hand if there is two people staying in the room I guess that is quite convenient. The breakfast the next morning was also very nice. I who usually only have coffee and cereal ended up having egg, beacon and toast.

In the evening we took a walk in the Old Town of Gdansk which was wonderful with very beautiful old houses. And being an history buff I also found Gdansk very fainted as the birthplace of the Solidarity movement which played part of bringing the communist era to an end.

My view of Poland has totally changed after this trip and I would very much like to go back to the Tricity area and also down to Warsaw to see more of the sights and sounds of a country that just like Cinderella have transformed from old and worn out to sparkling gem.

Off to Poland

I'm off to Poland tomorrow and my second week as a trainer. This week I'm doing our markets in Poland, Germany, Denmark and Norway. I've never been to Poland before so I'm a little bit excited, even though I don't think I'll be able to see much. I visited East-Germany and East Berlin before the Iron Curtain came down and then again afterwards, which was a huge difference. So it's going to be interesting to to see how far Poland have come almost 20 years later.

The hotel I'm staying at is described at modern post Soviet-era hotel, but looks like a concrete bunker to me, so I'm not all positive. But it will for sure be a new experience. And new experiences are always good.

Amarillo by morning

It's been ages since I heard Amarillo by morning, but when it came on the radio this morning and I heard those first fiddle strokes I was right back in Texas. Thinking about the wide open fields, the sunset and the star filled nights. Cowboys, rodeos and country fairs. Youth, friends and laughter. Texas will always be very special to me.