So, slightly fuzzy, we reconvened in teh morning for some breakfast. There were some pretty ropey looking people in teh restaurant, which made me somewhat relieved that we had stopped when we did.
We first off headed to the central station to allow rob and vicky to stash their cases in a luggage locker - it was very james bond... "You may collect the asset from a numbered locker at T-Centralen, Mr Bond"
We wandered down through the commercial district towards Gamla Stan, and the National Museum, which was to be our mornings entertainment, it has a floor dedicated to swedish design, and another floor which is an art gallery and had a pre-raphaelites exhibition on, which was quite popular, and reaosnably interesting.
We left there and headed across the bridge towards the palace, where we were lucky to catch a guard change/ parade which was a nice way to spend a few minutes, even if it did get a bit cold standing around. Eventually we headed back up to the centre, and stopped at palce vicky recommended for some lunch, which was very tasty.
In the afternoon we went and had a little look round NK, the big department store, and then Rob and I retired to the sports bar in the station to watch the Carling Cup final, whilst vicky did some more shopping. Predictably, it went to extra time, which meant R& V had to leave without seeing the end of the game.... I unfortunately didn't , and wasted another half hour of my life watching it.
Finally, at 7:30 I boarded my traing home.... it had been a busy, but thoroughly enjoyable 36 hours away from LInkoping - I'm looking forward to going back with Miche in a couple of weeks.
On the train back, I finished my latest book, Henning Mankell's The Fifth woman. I've read it before, but Miche brought it out to me on my request, as I wanted to read something based in sweden while I was out here. I really enjoy Mankell's books, although I find it hard to visualise the evil inherent in his books, in the day to day life that I see here in sweden.
I started reading another Jeff Abbott book, Trust Me, which Vicky and Rob kindly brought out for me. Thanks guys - its almost unputdownable.
I've got the boss here tomorrow, then heading home on friday, will be nice to be back, having not been home for 4 weeks.
cheers,
AG
reading: Trust Me by Jeff Abbott
listening: Stop crying your heart out by Oasis
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Stockholm syndrome
Just about recovered from my weekend in Stockholm with Rob and Vicky. They came out on friday night, taking advantage of a convenient RuinAir flight from Stansted to (Stockholm) Vasteras - I think it was about a 90 minute bus ride away from the city centre, but all seemed to work out ok for them. I jumped on an early morning traing from Linkoping, and met them at the very nice Clarion hotel, at about 10:30 which gave them plenty of time to eat the entire breakfast buffet, and go for a little explore too.
We then set about working away across stockholm's tourist attractions, with a plan to arrive at "The Dubliner" in time to watch the rugby in the early evening. We started off with a wander the Sodermalm, the "cool" bit of the city, had lots of nice little boutique shops, most of which didn't seem to open til the owners had recovered from being out on the lash the night before. We found a delightful coffee place, which we pit stopped at - the swedes are inveterate coffee drinkers, and you generally get a fine brew in all of the ( mainly independent) coffee places.
Then wandered around a little further to a good view point at the edge of Sodermalm. then on, down into Gamla Stan, or the old town... where we popped into the Noble museum for vicks to get some chocolate Nobel Prizes for distribution at work, and also for her to show us piccies of the various winners from Sanger.
We were getting a bit peckish now, so stopped for a little refreshment, LAsagne for me, with rob goign for some traditional Kottbullar ( meatballs), and Vicky a bowl of warming Gulash.
Next up, we took a boat across to the Modern Art museum, which contrary to the Lonely Planet guide wasn't free, but nonetheless had some good stuff - a photography exhibition by Andreas Gursky was probably the stand out thing for me - some of the permanent works were a bit on the pretentious side of sh*t! Not helped by an audio guide straight out of Pretentious Art critques for Dummies.
By this time it was snowing quite heavily and we decided to find somewhere to regroup. We located the dubliner, bu decided that starting to drink there already was a bit too early, so we adjourned to another Cafe for a while, then had a little jaunt into Urban Outfitters, where we laughed at the "build your cat a tank" kit, which I think Vicky quite wanted for Dexter.
finally got settled in for the rugby, which was enlivened by the humour fo having the irsih RTE commentary - which was amazingly one sided.
We ate at the pub after the game had finished, and then headed back to Sodermalm to try out a recommended bar. Eventually heading back to the hotel, where I think Rob wanted to revisit the bar there, but the long day had caught up with me and Vicks, so we called it a night there...
day two in a bit , when I've had some dinner...
Listening: Jools Holland Small World Big BAnd
We then set about working away across stockholm's tourist attractions, with a plan to arrive at "The Dubliner" in time to watch the rugby in the early evening. We started off with a wander the Sodermalm, the "cool" bit of the city, had lots of nice little boutique shops, most of which didn't seem to open til the owners had recovered from being out on the lash the night before. We found a delightful coffee place, which we pit stopped at - the swedes are inveterate coffee drinkers, and you generally get a fine brew in all of the ( mainly independent) coffee places.
Then wandered around a little further to a good view point at the edge of Sodermalm. then on, down into Gamla Stan, or the old town... where we popped into the Noble museum for vicks to get some chocolate Nobel Prizes for distribution at work, and also for her to show us piccies of the various winners from Sanger.
We were getting a bit peckish now, so stopped for a little refreshment, LAsagne for me, with rob goign for some traditional Kottbullar ( meatballs), and Vicky a bowl of warming Gulash.
Next up, we took a boat across to the Modern Art museum, which contrary to the Lonely Planet guide wasn't free, but nonetheless had some good stuff - a photography exhibition by Andreas Gursky was probably the stand out thing for me - some of the permanent works were a bit on the pretentious side of sh*t! Not helped by an audio guide straight out of Pretentious Art critques for Dummies.
By this time it was snowing quite heavily and we decided to find somewhere to regroup. We located the dubliner, bu decided that starting to drink there already was a bit too early, so we adjourned to another Cafe for a while, then had a little jaunt into Urban Outfitters, where we laughed at the "build your cat a tank" kit, which I think Vicky quite wanted for Dexter.
finally got settled in for the rugby, which was enlivened by the humour fo having the irsih RTE commentary - which was amazingly one sided.
We ate at the pub after the game had finished, and then headed back to Sodermalm to try out a recommended bar. Eventually heading back to the hotel, where I think Rob wanted to revisit the bar there, but the long day had caught up with me and Vicks, so we called it a night there...
day two in a bit , when I've had some dinner...
Listening: Jools Holland Small World Big BAnd
Monday, 23 February 2009
Miche in Linkoping
Miche came out to visit this weekend. Arrived late thursday night, and stayed until this morning. We had a lovely time. Just wandered about town - and into the Linkoping Cathedral on friday,
we then went back to the office so she could see where I worked, and meet some of the guys at "friday beers". We stayed for a while, then went with them for food. Miche made friends with another english guy's girlfriend, and got lots of info about things to do, so on saturday we headed off to Gamla Linkoping, the old town, which is an open air museum of a load of buildings salvaged from the town when it was redesigned in the middle of the 20th century.
had a nice meal out on saturday, then on sunday walked round the park which was very snowy and pretty, and found a nice cafe in a little bell tower on a hill.
Finally we went to the cinema in the evening and watched Revolutionary Road, which was veyr interesting, and necessitated a trip to the pub afterwards to discuss.
Miche headed off home this morning, at oh-early-hundred, and made it home safe before midday.
I finished my second C.J.Sansom book, Dark Fire, which was as good, if not better than Dissolution. I really enjoyed it, and love the descriptions of tudor london. It has a cracking plot too. Miche had to bring me out a new supply of books, as I was running out. I'm actually now re-reading a Peter Robinson, the first non-new book I've read this year.
Reading: Piece of my heart - Peter Robinson
Listening: England My Home - Levellers
we then went back to the office so she could see where I worked, and meet some of the guys at "friday beers". We stayed for a while, then went with them for food. Miche made friends with another english guy's girlfriend, and got lots of info about things to do, so on saturday we headed off to Gamla Linkoping, the old town, which is an open air museum of a load of buildings salvaged from the town when it was redesigned in the middle of the 20th century.
had a nice meal out on saturday, then on sunday walked round the park which was very snowy and pretty, and found a nice cafe in a little bell tower on a hill.
Finally we went to the cinema in the evening and watched Revolutionary Road, which was veyr interesting, and necessitated a trip to the pub afterwards to discuss.
Miche headed off home this morning, at oh-early-hundred, and made it home safe before midday.
I finished my second C.J.Sansom book, Dark Fire, which was as good, if not better than Dissolution. I really enjoyed it, and love the descriptions of tudor london. It has a cracking plot too. Miche had to bring me out a new supply of books, as I was running out. I'm actually now re-reading a Peter Robinson, the first non-new book I've read this year.
Reading: Piece of my heart - Peter Robinson
Listening: England My Home - Levellers
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Flesh House
Raced through Flesh HOuse by Stuart Macbride, like all of his books, its thoroughly readable, and the characters come back like old friends. The humour and character relationships are really what drives this book, as the plot got a little bit fantastical, with the body count being absolutely ridiculous. Found it all getting a little bit out of control, and could probably have done with being edited downa little, but still very entertaining, and an enjoyable read.
Have moved onto another book by C.J.Sansom in the MAtthew Shardlake series. Hoping its as enjoyable as the last one.
cheers,
AG
listening: INXS - Kick
Reading: Dark Fire, by C.J.Sansom
Have moved onto another book by C.J.Sansom in the MAtthew Shardlake series. Hoping its as enjoyable as the last one.
cheers,
AG
listening: INXS - Kick
Reading: Dark Fire, by C.J.Sansom
Saturday, 14 February 2009
end of another week
So, got through another week. Had a nice night out with the Opera guys last night - one of the guys, David, is also one of the squash players, and was nice to have a bit of time talking to him about improving his game. We did some drills during squash on friday, and it was really good - I got much more out of it than just playing a game, and he was noticeably improving as the session went on. Think we might try and organise some sessions just for the two of us. Will be the best way forward for me, to keep things ticking over.
today's plan is to try and watch the 6 nations. I got a recommendation of one pub which might show it, but I've also been trying to set up stuff to work online too. I think I have BBCs live player working, but I'm not sure if they will broadcast the rugby live, as sometimes they don't do sports. Might need a "dodgy" p2p stream as back up. Fortunately the france game is on first, so I can try that, and try and get everything up and running for when england play.
I'm shortly off to the gym, but its really cold out today ( was -10 last night), so I'm putting it off a bit.
Finished another book, LAst Rituals, by Yrsa Sigurdardottir. Its a fairly standard crime thriller, quite well written, but possibly lacking the spark that really makes me go wow. As a debut, its pretty good, and I'll definitely check out any more that she writes, as it was enjoyable, but it didn't leave a lasting impression like Jeff Abbotts run did. Have moved onto the 4th book by Stuart Macbride, Flesh House. I love this series, its based in Aberdeen, and despite being fully gruesome, the series are full of humour, even if some of the characters are a bit charicatured. Will let you know how this one turns out - probably tomorrow, at the rate I'm goign!
have a good weekend, all.
AG
Listening: Supernature by Goldfrapp
Reading: Flesh House by Stuart Macbride
today's plan is to try and watch the 6 nations. I got a recommendation of one pub which might show it, but I've also been trying to set up stuff to work online too. I think I have BBCs live player working, but I'm not sure if they will broadcast the rugby live, as sometimes they don't do sports. Might need a "dodgy" p2p stream as back up. Fortunately the france game is on first, so I can try that, and try and get everything up and running for when england play.
I'm shortly off to the gym, but its really cold out today ( was -10 last night), so I'm putting it off a bit.
Finished another book, LAst Rituals, by Yrsa Sigurdardottir. Its a fairly standard crime thriller, quite well written, but possibly lacking the spark that really makes me go wow. As a debut, its pretty good, and I'll definitely check out any more that she writes, as it was enjoyable, but it didn't leave a lasting impression like Jeff Abbotts run did. Have moved onto the 4th book by Stuart Macbride, Flesh House. I love this series, its based in Aberdeen, and despite being fully gruesome, the series are full of humour, even if some of the characters are a bit charicatured. Will let you know how this one turns out - probably tomorrow, at the rate I'm goign!
have a good weekend, all.
AG
Listening: Supernature by Goldfrapp
Reading: Flesh House by Stuart Macbride
Monday, 9 February 2009
The reviews that the authors read!
Well, if you haven't looked at the comments of my previous blog entry, please go there now. I was shocked but pleased to have a comment from Martin Baker in my previous blog. In hindsight, I'm rather glad I didn't say anything rude about his novel!
Anyway, will get onto my next review later, but for now, a brief update on my doings. Had another lovely weekend at home, slightly less full on than the previous one, but still managed to fit in a few warm up beers in the Packet house on friday, some shopping and getting my car MOT'd on saturday, as well as watching the 6 nations, and a nice meal in with Miche. Sunday was a drive over to wilmslow, a walk around Quarry Bank Mill, and sunday lunch with my rugby bitches ;-)
Talking of MOTs, less than impressed with kwik fit, who phoned me to tell me that my car had failed its MOT - which was fine, until they told me it was because it needed a new cat. I'm normally a fairly mild mannered kind of guy, but given that the self same garage had fitted a new one not 7 months ago, I felt obliged to have a whinge. They fixed it under warranty, but still, the last one lasted 8.5 years, the one KF fitted lasted 7 months. YOu can't get sh***er than a kwik fit fitter.
So to book reviews. On my way back home I finished off Run, by Jeff Abbott, I didn't have particularly high hopes for this, just thought it would be a bog standard run of hte mill type of thriller, and as it started, thats pretty much what I thought I was getting, but like any good runner, it was paced to perfection, accelerating brilliantly towards the end, and with a conclusion that actually sent a shiver down my spine, and left me almost breathless. I love it when books do that to you. Top marks to Jeff Abbott. I'll be looking for more of his to read soon.
anyway, off now for some food, and an early night, my 4.30am start it beginning to catch up with me.
AG
reading: Last Rituals by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
litening: Absolution by Muse
Anyway, will get onto my next review later, but for now, a brief update on my doings. Had another lovely weekend at home, slightly less full on than the previous one, but still managed to fit in a few warm up beers in the Packet house on friday, some shopping and getting my car MOT'd on saturday, as well as watching the 6 nations, and a nice meal in with Miche. Sunday was a drive over to wilmslow, a walk around Quarry Bank Mill, and sunday lunch with my rugby bitches ;-)
Talking of MOTs, less than impressed with kwik fit, who phoned me to tell me that my car had failed its MOT - which was fine, until they told me it was because it needed a new cat. I'm normally a fairly mild mannered kind of guy, but given that the self same garage had fitted a new one not 7 months ago, I felt obliged to have a whinge. They fixed it under warranty, but still, the last one lasted 8.5 years, the one KF fitted lasted 7 months. YOu can't get sh***er than a kwik fit fitter.
So to book reviews. On my way back home I finished off Run, by Jeff Abbott, I didn't have particularly high hopes for this, just thought it would be a bog standard run of hte mill type of thriller, and as it started, thats pretty much what I thought I was getting, but like any good runner, it was paced to perfection, accelerating brilliantly towards the end, and with a conclusion that actually sent a shiver down my spine, and left me almost breathless. I love it when books do that to you. Top marks to Jeff Abbott. I'll be looking for more of his to read soon.
anyway, off now for some food, and an early night, my 4.30am start it beginning to catch up with me.
AG
reading: Last Rituals by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
litening: Absolution by Muse
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
it ' snow joke...
Actually, from here, it is. The swedes have been gleefully sniggering at the Uk's creaking infrastructure this week. Although I think they were a bit shocked by the pictures last night - they thought we'd collapsed under 1 inch of snow like usual. There was a bit more slack given today!
No snow here, but it was about minus 8 with about 10 degrees of windchill last night ( so I stayed in!!). Warmed up to minus 2 today! So I ventured over to the gym for a bit of a session. set me up nicely for some food.
Had a really good weekend, 2 good nights out withthe swedish guys from work - neither of which was "too" messy. its all good.
Finished off my book, The Foreign Correspondent by Alan Furst; it was beautifully written, and had a tense, interesting plot - I was really enjoying it.... then it stopped. I could kind of see why they finished it where they did, but it did feel like it really lacked a decent ending. Books like that frustrate me, I like a bit more of a wow factor at the end. Oh well - onto the next one..its an American thriller called Run... don;t think its going to be short on action.
couple more days before I head back home again, hoping the UK weather doesn't cause any flight disruptions.
cheers,
AG
Reading: Run - Jeff Abbott
LIstening: Replenish - Reef
No snow here, but it was about minus 8 with about 10 degrees of windchill last night ( so I stayed in!!). Warmed up to minus 2 today! So I ventured over to the gym for a bit of a session. set me up nicely for some food.
Had a really good weekend, 2 good nights out withthe swedish guys from work - neither of which was "too" messy. its all good.
Finished off my book, The Foreign Correspondent by Alan Furst; it was beautifully written, and had a tense, interesting plot - I was really enjoying it.... then it stopped. I could kind of see why they finished it where they did, but it did feel like it really lacked a decent ending. Books like that frustrate me, I like a bit more of a wow factor at the end. Oh well - onto the next one..its an American thriller called Run... don;t think its going to be short on action.
couple more days before I head back home again, hoping the UK weather doesn't cause any flight disruptions.
cheers,
AG
Reading: Run - Jeff Abbott
LIstening: Replenish - Reef
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