I went to Systembolaget (the Swedish Alcohol Retail Monopoly and only place one can buy alcohol) earlier today to buy some wine for a dinner party tomorrow. Even though I'm against the whole idea of monopoly and government regulations I like the shops. The people working there are well known for their knowledge of wines and other spirits as well as the huge range of different brands and winemakers. If I have the time I actually like to browse around for a while and see what's new and if there is something special I should try out. But one should not visit the store on Friday afternoon... So today was the perfect day to visit and have a look around.
Last year in September Michael and I drank lovely bottle of wine called The Hermit Crab in London. A good blend of Viognier and Marsanne from the McLaren Vale region in Australia. I had never heard about it, but Michael being a true Aussie told me all about the area and its wines. Back home I asked about it at Systembolaget, but no sorry they didn't have it . Even though the saleswoman knew exactly what wine I was talking about. She had even been to that specific winery.
And then today. Right in front of me on the shelf with new products was Hermit Crab from McLaren Vale. Rather expensive, on the higher end of what I would like to pay for wines, but two bottles just had to go into my basket. Lovely! Now I just have to make grilled tuna steak one night. I can hardly wait.
July 29, 2008
July 28, 2008
The cutest thing
I'm in love. In love with Frida, my cousin's two year old daughter. Never would I think that I, who don't do children very well, should say that she's the cutest thing. After three days of playing, eating, sleeping together and all those other things a two year old like to do I've been hit by the "cutest thing" bug.
She's my little darling and just like it said on a T-shirt I bought in Ireland - Born to be spoiled - I will continue to do exactly so.
Signed
Proud Auntie
She's my little darling and just like it said on a T-shirt I bought in Ireland - Born to be spoiled - I will continue to do exactly so.
Signed
Proud Auntie
July 24, 2008
Weekend with relatives
I'm getting ready for a weekend with my cousin and her family, including Frida who's doing her best at being terribly two. But I love her to bits anyhow. Both her and my cousin are the only family I have left on my father's side, so she knows already how to wrap me around her finger... It's going to be rather crowded in my flat, but hopefully we'll spend most of the days outside. The weathermen are promising gorgeous weather compared to last year's visit when it poured.
A trip to Liseberg is already planed and tomorrow being my birthday we are going on a picnic in the park. It's going to be great fun even though I will probably need a couple of days R'n'R after they have gone home...
A trip to Liseberg is already planed and tomorrow being my birthday we are going on a picnic in the park. It's going to be great fun even though I will probably need a couple of days R'n'R after they have gone home...
July 23, 2008
Home again
I got home last night after a couple of great days in Scotland, despite the rain... The rain in Edinburgh was actually the last rain I saw. Maybe getting soaked on Saturday meant that I met my quota?!
Sunday I spent visiting Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and its park. Truly an amazing place and perfect for a Sunday afternoon. In the evening I I decided to walk down a street I hadn't been on before and found a very nice little family owned Italian restaurant called Pulcinella. Both the prosciutto with melon and salmon tagliatelle was delicious and with a big glass of Pinot Grigio my Sunday evening couldn't have ended better.
Glasgow is famous for having the most department stores and shops outside London and on Monday I think I visited most of them. And with the summer clearance still going on and things being marked down both two and three times it was real fun. Unfortunately I didn't find any bargains though, but hey one can't be lucky all the time...
Travelling by myself was again both exciting and fun, but most of all very empowering. I'm a strong and confident woman who can do whatever I feel like. And I'm very proud of it.
Sunday I spent visiting Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and its park. Truly an amazing place and perfect for a Sunday afternoon. In the evening I I decided to walk down a street I hadn't been on before and found a very nice little family owned Italian restaurant called Pulcinella. Both the prosciutto with melon and salmon tagliatelle was delicious and with a big glass of Pinot Grigio my Sunday evening couldn't have ended better.
Glasgow is famous for having the most department stores and shops outside London and on Monday I think I visited most of them. And with the summer clearance still going on and things being marked down both two and three times it was real fun. Unfortunately I didn't find any bargains though, but hey one can't be lucky all the time...
Travelling by myself was again both exciting and fun, but most of all very empowering. I'm a strong and confident woman who can do whatever I feel like. And I'm very proud of it.
July 19, 2008
Soaked in Edinburgh
Thank God for my GoreTex rain jacket otherwise I would probably have looked like I had taken a shower with my clothes on. Now I only looked like someone who had been on an open tour bus for an hour in the pouring rain.
About to have lunch with Jonny, an old consultant now friend, I was in a bit of pickle so to say. So what to do?! I ran into Marks & Spencer and bought the cheapest pair of trousers I could find. £12 later and all dried up I was on the go again.
The sun managed to get through the clouds for a while when I walked up to Edinburgh Castle after lunch, but after then it started to pour again. Not wanting to buy another pair of trousers I hid out in a coffee shop before exploring Edinburgh some more. A city of spectacular views and amazing history. But to be honest, could it please stop raining. At least until I go home.
July 17, 2008
To Scotland
I'm leaving for the land of kilts and bagpipes at noon and will be back next week. Just like last year in Ireland (where it poured every day until the last night) the weather gods don't seem to be on my side, so I'm prepared with jeans, jumpers and most important of all - a wind breaker. But on the other side it's not really like Scotland and Ireland are famous for their sunny summers. Maybe I should think about the Med next year...
July 16, 2008
Packing
It's funny. Going on a business trip it takes me about 10 minutes to pack. Going somewhere for pleasure it takes forever to pack. Maybe I'll need that or maybe I'll need that... On a business trip you know exactly where and when you are going to be all the time. Travelling for fun you have a feeling of what you will be doing, but you're not totally sure. But I'm very proud to say that I've become very good at smart packing over the last couple of years, either it's for business or pleasure. Mixing and matching goes a long way and smart shoes. Hey, maybe I can pack after all... Today it just needs a little bit more thinking than usual.
July 15, 2008
Just plain happy
It's funny what two days without work and the knowledge of three and half more weeks of no work can do to you. I just realised that I feel plain happy. No meetings, no deadlines, no stress and no work. I can just do whatever I feel like. A little bit of this and a little bit of that. For the last two days I've spent a lot of time reading and blowing my nose (darn that cold), but then suddenly I felt like making muffins, so I made muffins. Then I cleaned out the pantry.
Last night I didn't feel like cleaning the dishes after dinner, so I didn't do it. I kept reading instead. Tonight I felt like having some wine to my Beef Stroganoff so I opened a bottle, regardless of it being Tuesday and I'm by myself. I just do what I like to without any demands or musts. I'm just happy, content and relaxed and it feels wonderful.
Last night I didn't feel like cleaning the dishes after dinner, so I didn't do it. I kept reading instead. Tonight I felt like having some wine to my Beef Stroganoff so I opened a bottle, regardless of it being Tuesday and I'm by myself. I just do what I like to without any demands or musts. I'm just happy, content and relaxed and it feels wonderful.
July 13, 2008
Lazy weekend
My annual four weeks of holiday started on Friday and as a sign the sun broke though the clouds when I left the office at 2 o'clock. An hour later I was getting my eyebrows done, having a facial and a lovely massage. I stumbled out of there two hours later very relaxed but also incredible tired. Something that always happens when I have a full body massage. The 10 minute walk home felt more like 20 or 30 minutes and home I crashed on the sofa. Some pizza and a glass of wine kept me going until 10 pm, but then I gave up. Gawd, I'm such a party girl...
Yesterday and today I have to admit that I haven't done much. Slept late, getting dressed late, watched TV, read some and done some easy cooking. Just like the last couple of weeks the sun is shining one minute and then the next minute it's pouring, so I don't feel terribly bad about just having spent time on the balcony instead of going out for real.
What annoys me though is that this morning I woke up with the the fist signs of summer cold. Argh! Sore throat, a bit of aching body and a stuffy nose. Just fabulous! Looking in my journal this morning, this is the third year in a row that I get a cold at the start of my holidays. I guess I'm becoming one of those people who get ill when slowing down and starting to feel relaxed. Anyhow I do not like it one bit, and I hope most of it is gone on Thursday when I leave for Scotland.
Yesterday and today I have to admit that I haven't done much. Slept late, getting dressed late, watched TV, read some and done some easy cooking. Just like the last couple of weeks the sun is shining one minute and then the next minute it's pouring, so I don't feel terribly bad about just having spent time on the balcony instead of going out for real.
What annoys me though is that this morning I woke up with the the fist signs of summer cold. Argh! Sore throat, a bit of aching body and a stuffy nose. Just fabulous! Looking in my journal this morning, this is the third year in a row that I get a cold at the start of my holidays. I guess I'm becoming one of those people who get ill when slowing down and starting to feel relaxed. Anyhow I do not like it one bit, and I hope most of it is gone on Thursday when I leave for Scotland.
July 10, 2008
New and old
This is probably my favourite picture from last week's visit to London and Belfast. My all time favourite building The Gherkin next to The Tower of London. Old and new many centuries apart, but nerveless an important part of London's history and fascination for an Anglophile like me.
Still a techie, sort of
Got home late from Copenhagen last night. Sat down to check my emails and then got a message for Windows Update. Did the update and then no connection to the Internet. Too tired to bather I thought it might be some work going on with my ISP. It was after all close to midnight. Nothing had changed this morning, but I went to work still believing that my ISP probably was doing some sort of work.
Home again and still no connection, which is so annoying. I mean nowadays we do everything on-line and without no connection one is more or less lost. Scary isn't it? So I started to check everything and restarted both the router and computer. No change. Argh! After spending almost an hour trying to check and do different changes I gave up and called my ISP.
Going through all those "Press 1 for this, Press 2 for that" I got a message saying "Have you updated your computer with Windows Update the last couple of days and use Zone Alarm as a firewall and now you can't connect to the Internet? Microsoft have been notified about the situation and are now working on it. Turning off the firewall might help" OK, so at least I had an answer to why it didn't work and thankfully it wasn't my fault or something wrong with my computer.
So to start with I turned off the firewall to check, but still no change. Sigh! But then suddenly I remembered those updates can be uninstalled and the old techie in me came to life. Searching for a while I found the update and then did an uninstall. The system asked me three times if I was sure, and yes I was very sure. I tried to connect to the Internet again and volá it worked. The first message I got was "Please install the latest Window Update". No, thank very much...
So even though it's been a long time, once a techie always a techie I guess...
Home again and still no connection, which is so annoying. I mean nowadays we do everything on-line and without no connection one is more or less lost. Scary isn't it? So I started to check everything and restarted both the router and computer. No change. Argh! After spending almost an hour trying to check and do different changes I gave up and called my ISP.
Going through all those "Press 1 for this, Press 2 for that" I got a message saying "Have you updated your computer with Windows Update the last couple of days and use Zone Alarm as a firewall and now you can't connect to the Internet? Microsoft have been notified about the situation and are now working on it. Turning off the firewall might help" OK, so at least I had an answer to why it didn't work and thankfully it wasn't my fault or something wrong with my computer.
So to start with I turned off the firewall to check, but still no change. Sigh! But then suddenly I remembered those updates can be uninstalled and the old techie in me came to life. Searching for a while I found the update and then did an uninstall. The system asked me three times if I was sure, and yes I was very sure. I tried to connect to the Internet again and volá it worked. The first message I got was "Please install the latest Window Update". No, thank very much...
So even though it's been a long time, once a techie always a techie I guess...
July 08, 2008
Daylight mugging
I know there is crime in every big city and London is no exception. Having visited London for over 20 years now I've been lucky enough to not experience any myself, but most everybody I know in London has at one time or another been mugged, attacked or similar. That unfortunately comes with living in a big city.
Being a bit naïve I never thought I would witness it in broad daylight though. Walking back to Waterloo Station from the Imperial War Museum last Sunday a man at the same age as me is walked about 100-150 meters ahead of me on Baylis Road. Having just passed Lambeth North Tube station there is people around, but it being Sunday afternoon the street is rather quite.
Suddenly I see how three hooligans dressed in t-shirts, jeans, boots with blond and shaved heads walk up to him. First I thought they knew him or something, but then I see them starting to pick a fight and I hear him say no very loudly. I continue to walk for a second or two not realising what I'm seeing until I see how one of the hooligans hit the man at the same time as the other two pushes him into the bushes. I then cross the street not sure what to do other then just trying to stay away. Should I just walk away? Should I pretend like I didn't see anything? Should I start to shout and call for attention? At first I keep walking on the other side of the road, but when I keep hearing the man shouting no, no I stop by a bus shed.
Another man who walked behind me now realise what is going on and start shouting as he runs towards the gang. They see him coming and two of them start running after him instead. Standing there in the bus shed I just felt "Oh, my God I hope didn't see me" and I turned around and walked quickly in the other direction. Totally the opposite direction of Waterloo Station.
Probably for five minutes or so I keep looking over my shoulder to see who's behind me, but of course they are long gone and I don't think they every noticed me. Thankfully I have a good sense of directions so I found my way back to Waterloo Station without any problems, but I don't think I let out a sigh of relief until the train was back on the other side of the river.
I haven't really thought about it until I told a friend and her comment was “That could have been you.” And, yes it could. I have never been afraid walking by myself whether it's in London, Paris, New York or here at home, but I'm cautious like any woman would be, especially if it's dark. I will probably a bit more cautious after this, but not afraid because then the bad guys have won.
Being a bit naïve I never thought I would witness it in broad daylight though. Walking back to Waterloo Station from the Imperial War Museum last Sunday a man at the same age as me is walked about 100-150 meters ahead of me on Baylis Road. Having just passed Lambeth North Tube station there is people around, but it being Sunday afternoon the street is rather quite.
Suddenly I see how three hooligans dressed in t-shirts, jeans, boots with blond and shaved heads walk up to him. First I thought they knew him or something, but then I see them starting to pick a fight and I hear him say no very loudly. I continue to walk for a second or two not realising what I'm seeing until I see how one of the hooligans hit the man at the same time as the other two pushes him into the bushes. I then cross the street not sure what to do other then just trying to stay away. Should I just walk away? Should I pretend like I didn't see anything? Should I start to shout and call for attention? At first I keep walking on the other side of the road, but when I keep hearing the man shouting no, no I stop by a bus shed.
Another man who walked behind me now realise what is going on and start shouting as he runs towards the gang. They see him coming and two of them start running after him instead. Standing there in the bus shed I just felt "Oh, my God I hope didn't see me" and I turned around and walked quickly in the other direction. Totally the opposite direction of Waterloo Station.
Probably for five minutes or so I keep looking over my shoulder to see who's behind me, but of course they are long gone and I don't think they every noticed me. Thankfully I have a good sense of directions so I found my way back to Waterloo Station without any problems, but I don't think I let out a sigh of relief until the train was back on the other side of the river.
I haven't really thought about it until I told a friend and her comment was “That could have been you.” And, yes it could. I have never been afraid walking by myself whether it's in London, Paris, New York or here at home, but I'm cautious like any woman would be, especially if it's dark. I will probably a bit more cautious after this, but not afraid because then the bad guys have won.
July 07, 2008
New Furla bag
Like most women I l have a thing for shoes and bag. Over the years I've more or less given up on shoes since the older I get the more comfortable shoes I want to wear. Boring, yes I know, but if my feet are happy I'm happy.
When it comes to bags I have not given up, but I tend to spend more money one a real nice one and than keep it for a couple of years instead of buying new one every season. Probably a bit boring again. Wonder if it has to do with age..?
So when we decided to go to London just for the summer sales I decided it was time to get a new handbag. Two years ago I bought a lovely red Furla bag at their store on Bond Street. After having gone through I don't know how many shops and seriously starting to drive my friend mad I begged for one more stop – Bond Street.
First stop was Fenwick's. Over the years I've found some real bargains there and they didn't let me down this time either. Right there on a shelf was a black Furla shoulder bag, and immediately I knew that was the one. Marked down from £142 to £102 it was just what I had planned to spend and five minutes later I was happy owner of another Furla bag. My friend was happy too (for not having to continue the search for the perfect handbag) and we ended our second day of shopping at a wine bar. Celebrating bargains and just feeling foxy in our favourite city.
When it comes to bags I have not given up, but I tend to spend more money one a real nice one and than keep it for a couple of years instead of buying new one every season. Probably a bit boring again. Wonder if it has to do with age..?
So when we decided to go to London just for the summer sales I decided it was time to get a new handbag. Two years ago I bought a lovely red Furla bag at their store on Bond Street. After having gone through I don't know how many shops and seriously starting to drive my friend mad I begged for one more stop – Bond Street.
First stop was Fenwick's. Over the years I've found some real bargains there and they didn't let me down this time either. Right there on a shelf was a black Furla shoulder bag, and immediately I knew that was the one. Marked down from £142 to £102 it was just what I had planned to spend and five minutes later I was happy owner of another Furla bag. My friend was happy too (for not having to continue the search for the perfect handbag) and we ended our second day of shopping at a wine bar. Celebrating bargains and just feeling foxy in our favourite city.
July 06, 2008
One week to go
Only one more week at work before holiday. I feel like child waiting for school to end. The weather is still so and so, but it better shape up until Friday or Saturday since I have a big pile of books waiting be read sitting on the balcony. After last week in the UK, the pile is even bigger since I bought six more books. Yes, I'm crazy... Or really, I just love books.
Many people have already left for their holidays so things are rather slow at the office, which is nice. Also with not that many people around I get tons of things done, even though I have to admit that I'm taking it fairly easy. Slowing down the pace now instead of the first days of my holiday.
On Friday in London my friend asked me what I was running for and then the same on Saturday. It was not like I had to be somewhere at a specific time. Amazing though to see what a pace I normally keep. No wonder I'm tired when the week is over.... By Sunday I had gotten into a more slow and relaxed mood and then spending another day in London on Monday before going to Belfast had me so relaxed. Until that night when I realised that I had to prepare for the next day...
Tuesday went well, despite that my hair dryer gave up and that the one in the room didn't work. On Wednesday to my surprise I slept until the alarm went off at 8 before having a long and big breakfast. The trip home took 12 hours from door to door, which usually leaves me crazy since I know that tons of emails and phone calls are waiting for me. Not this time. When I got into the office on Thursday morning I was cool as cucumber and very relaxed. Something very rare after being out of the office.
So with one week to go I really hope to keep this relaxed and laid back attitude. Needless to say it feels very good and very needed after another very busy spring.
Many people have already left for their holidays so things are rather slow at the office, which is nice. Also with not that many people around I get tons of things done, even though I have to admit that I'm taking it fairly easy. Slowing down the pace now instead of the first days of my holiday.
On Friday in London my friend asked me what I was running for and then the same on Saturday. It was not like I had to be somewhere at a specific time. Amazing though to see what a pace I normally keep. No wonder I'm tired when the week is over.... By Sunday I had gotten into a more slow and relaxed mood and then spending another day in London on Monday before going to Belfast had me so relaxed. Until that night when I realised that I had to prepare for the next day...
Tuesday went well, despite that my hair dryer gave up and that the one in the room didn't work. On Wednesday to my surprise I slept until the alarm went off at 8 before having a long and big breakfast. The trip home took 12 hours from door to door, which usually leaves me crazy since I know that tons of emails and phone calls are waiting for me. Not this time. When I got into the office on Thursday morning I was cool as cucumber and very relaxed. Something very rare after being out of the office.
So with one week to go I really hope to keep this relaxed and laid back attitude. Needless to say it feels very good and very needed after another very busy spring.
July 03, 2008
Quote of the day
Back home again I can only agree (even though it comes from the old tennis player Boris Becker...)
I go to London, my favourite city in the world, and I feel at home.
~ Boris Becker ~
I go to London, my favourite city in the world, and I feel at home.
~ Boris Becker ~
July 01, 2008
Rainy Belfast
Belfast showed its real face today. Grey skies, rain and wind all day long. The clouds was so low one could hardly see the mountains. Very hard to believe today it’s actually 1 July, and not October. But according to my colleagues here this is Belfast, no matter season. When I was here in May we had lovely weather and sunshine for three days and everybody was talking about the marvellous weather. Today no one even didn’t bather to comment...
Regardless of the wind and rain I decided to take a walk before having dinner, and again I have to say I think the central parts of Belfast are pretty. A very typical Victorian city with red brick buildings and some real pretty and (big) churches built by a loch in between the mountains. A pretty location and pretty city.
Regardless of the wind and rain I decided to take a walk before having dinner, and again I have to say I think the central parts of Belfast are pretty. A very typical Victorian city with red brick buildings and some real pretty and (big) churches built by a loch in between the mountains. A pretty location and pretty city.
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