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  1. #576
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    After picking up 320 bags of Yorkshire's finest (there was no Barry's or Miles) which at 3 cups a day should keep me going until Chtistmas, we stopped on the way home at a small beauty spot for a pic of the village.



    They must be having a littering problem... I'm no prude but the sign just seemed a bit strong... I certainly wouldn't want my daughter using language like that but am I just old fashioned? Only my wife gets away with calling me a tosser!



    For lunch I crossed off bacon and sausages (again) from the list. Still no peas though.



    I popped over the road after lunch to see the field soon to be turned into a red brick housing estate... this was my skiving off school place 40 years ago... I'd jump over the gate in the morning, hide behind the hedge and wait for me mum to go to work, then I'd go back in the house for the day. Today a few cows had turned up.



    How to spend my second and last afternoon in Somerset...

    Another walk of course. I told me mum I'd take Bella along the river again. Me mum told me to be careful of the cows as she'd heard they had mobbed a dog walker a few days ago. Don't be ridiculous I say, and besides, the cows were up in the top field.

    Strangely enough, as we walked along the river the cows formed a line across the field.



    I stood my ground buy the cows kept coming...



    No problem I thought... but on they came... the one with the black face in the middle was clearly the ring leader. Bella was absolutely useless... Dan would have been snarling by now and snapping at them, but Belle was behind me making whimpering noises.



    When I worked onshore in Namibia I was told to run in zig-zags to the nearest tree if chased by a rhino. I didn't want to over-react in a Somerset field so I just backed away slowly, maintaining eye contact.

    The bloody things crowded me all the way to the corner of the field.



    This guy leading all the way.



    I must admit, I was glad to get through the barbed wire fence. Of course Bella started barking now she felt safe!



    So that was that... no walk down down along the river as those cows weren't going away. I went upstream a bit to check out some old (40 year-old) fishing spots.

    The river up here was full of trout! I guess the result of no kids fishing any more.



    The big one here was maybe 12oz I reckon... I've promised my daughter next summer in the UK (Covid allowing) and catching a few of these trout will be on the list for sure.



    But Bella is certainly no trout stalker and was getting bored, so off we left.



    On the way home, the obligatory pic for HH's bank... knock yerself out mate!



    So my last evening in Somerset... it's impossible to really relax with a 4am start the next day. But what a wonderful country... I only went to pick up a few teabags and came home with a whole selection of ciders. A sedate couple of hours cider tasting was in order! Couldn't do that in Isaan...couldn't even get the teabags to be honest.



    And before the sun went down I even sorted out my daughter's present from the UK. My mum has been hassling me to sort out my rock collection, so I reduced it by two. On the right a fossilised echinoid (sea urchin) from the Cretaceous and on the left a piece of ammonite from the Lower Cretaceous chalk marl (the layer below the Upper Cretaceous chalk forming the White Cliffs of Dover). I know this because I collected it from about three miles out under the sea from Dover, when I worked on the Channel Tunnel 30 years ago. What daughter wouldn't be happy with a pressie like that!



    The last Somerset sunset... I'm very glad I visited my mum now, as the way things are going the UK will be in lockdown by this time next week. And who knows what will happen over the next few weeks...



    Sweden tomorrow, the next stage of my work commute.

    I've never spent much time in Sweden before, but I'm hoping to take a load of discreet pics of the famous blonde Swedish totty. This thread needs livening up!
    Last edited by Mendip; 22-09-2020 at 03:53 AM.

  2. #577
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    Nice selection of pics Mendip.

    Top tip,use the teabags twice then you'll have enough to last till Easter.

    Your daughter will treasure the present and story behind it.

    You never know with the Thais obsession with fresh fish the Missus might enjoy the next visit if you buy her a rod and disposable bbq for a day at the river.(Not to mention plenty of hang glider for yourself)

    Funny things them cows, we got chased by a herd of them recently. They weren't scared of the dog at all.

    Safe travels.

  3. #578
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Safe travels mate, loved this England chapter

  4. #579
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    Take your duaghter before those red brick estates pop up!

  5. #580
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    When I walked the dogs through fields of cows in the UK years ago it was the dogs that attracted them. Maybe there have been dogs around running loose.
    Last edited by OhOh; 22-09-2020 at 02:43 PM.

  6. #581
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    Maybe they have been dogs around running loose.
    And they're pissed off at being reincarnated as cows?

  7. #582
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    I've never spent much time in Sweden before, but I'm hoping to take a load of discreet pics of the famous blonde Swedish totty. This thread needs livening up!
    Looking forward to see Gothenburg and its beauties through your eyes, it is my second hometown where I lived for 30 years.

  8. #583
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    https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/walks/how-dangerous-are-cows-to-walkers/


    https://theconversation.com/when-cows-attack-how-dangerous-are-cattle-and-how-can-you-stay-safe-around-them-79524


    It seems that cows are not as meek as they might appear.

    "The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports deaths, not attacks. They say that on average four to five people are killed in accidents involving cattle each year, with 74 fatal attacks since 2000."

  9. #584
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    a piece of ammonite from the Lower Cretaceous chalk marl

    There she was hoping for a new iPad.

    For the missus: a lump of lovely Millstone Grit.

  10. #585
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    Very nice, mendip. That cow does look bad ass!

    Hope you were able to make it safe & sound to your destination. Cheers!

  11. #586
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    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    Looking forward to see Gothenburg and its beauties through your eyes, it is my second hometown where I lived for 30 years.
    I always took you to be a Dane lom... my first impressions of Sweden are very poor...


    Quote Originally Posted by Shutree View Post
    For the missus: a lump of lovely Millstone Grit.
    A millstone...

    The literal hanging of a millstone about the neck is mentioned as a punishment in the New Testament (Matthew 18:6), causing the miscreant to be drowned.

    No comment!


    Anyway, the next stage of my work commute... Sweden. But first I had to brave Bristol Airport for the second time...

    Bristol Airport is pretty unique in charging for passenger drop off... 4 quid a time with a maximum of 10 minutes, although of course it only takes a few seconds. But I wasn't going to get my mum up at 4am anyway, so booked an airport taxi. Due to Covid (they say), the airport taxis drop you off about 3 miles from the terminal, and guess what, it's right next to a trolley rental kiosk. Bristol Airport really is the most robbing b@stard of a place. My advice is... they give you an option of Ł2 or €3 for the trolley, so if you're unfortunate enough to have to use this airport with heavy bags, then keep a pocket full of Euros on you, and save 20p a trolley (assuming the pound has bottomed of course).



    I declined a trolley and was sweating like a pig after walking the 3 miles, finishing with passing through a silly Covid tent to enter the terminal.



    Another 30% full flight to AMS was followed by a second slightly fuller flight to GOT. The final approach to Gothenburg revealed a Sweden that was all I'd expected. You could just imagine Britt Ekland dancing naked in those woods, like she did in The Wicker Man. It looked beautiful, but I was in for a shock. Sweden must be the weirdest place I have ever been to...


  12. #587
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    I always took you to be a Dane lom...
    You are partially right, my mother was from Denmark.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    my first impressions of Sweden are very poor...
    I'm all ears.

  13. #588
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    ^ Where do I start lom...?

    I arrived in Gothenburg, or 'Göteborg' as they seem to like calling it here (I mean WTF are Goths called here... Göts?), and all was OK at first... my UK passport still got me through the EU channel, my bag had arrived and there was even a pre-booked taxi waiting for me. The sign the woman held had spelt my name wrong, but all was good... and yes, women taxi drivers abound in Scandinavia.

    After 33 minutes (yes, I had asked her how long the trip was, and she had checked the internet, and told me 33 minutes, which was spot on.... as I have found everything is on the web here) we arrived at a nondescript office.



    I was knackered after 8 weeks of nights, a 2 day cider binge and a 3:45am start, but I had to show interest when I went into the office. I was straight away shown my digs (not a hotel in Sweden sadly) which were (are) about a 4 minute walk from the office. I dropped off my bag, feigned acceptance of being put in a shared company house which are basically student digs) and returned to the office to get set up, and all that good stuff.

    After looking busy for the rest of the day (during which I met a young female English trainee geo who filled me in about 'Göteborg', I went back to my student digs. But I couldn't bladdy find them. Every building looks the same in Sweden... and after walking up to each one and trying the PIN code I'd been given, I eventually heard a click and gained entry. In my defense I was very tired and slightly stressed when shown the digs earlier on and hadn't been concentrating.

    First I tried this place... no luck...



    Then this place... same...



    But eventually gained access to this shitty looking place. Today I found out it's known as the 'red' house... wish they'd told me that earlier.



    So anyway, I needed food. No hotel, no nothing. I was told the closest supermarket was just up the road... I had no Swedish money but surely there would be an ATM...

    Half an hour later I find the supermarket... a 7-22. Double the number but half the choice of a 7-11 in Thailand.



    I asked a chap where there was an ATM and he looked at me weirdly.... no bugger uses cash in Sweden, everything is done with cards. He searched on his phone and told me the closest ATM was 5km away! And this a major city in a developed country!

    No-where to have a pint and no-where to even get some cash... and everything in Swedish in the supermarket... not a single translation anywhere.

    I staggered back with my shopping and the only good thing about Sweden I discovered was that they are a nation of dog lovers.



    That made me happy... is that a Staffy or a Boxer?

    Last edited by Mendip; 24-09-2020 at 12:50 AM.

  14. #589
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    I woke this morning to a huge flood in the middle of my student digs, I tell ya, if it wasn't for Covid, the fact that I can't get home. or that I'd negotiated a good rate out of this company and it's very unlikely the tax man will see much of it, I'd be out of here. But of course Covid has changed everything.

    It later transpired that the shower was leaking.

    I'd foolishly left me good office jeans slumped on a chair, touching the floor...



    Which pissed me off immensely. This was my first day in the office and I wanted to make an impression.

    I left the digs after a breakfast of shite (that I'd managed to buy in the supermarket last night) and headed off for the office about 6:30am. These were outside my digs...



    I mentioned the English trainee I'd briefly met the previous day.... she'd invited me out for a meal last night with her friend, but told me that they were going on 'scooters'...

    It seems that in Sweden you just jump on one of these scooters and then leave it somewhere. Of course you have to download an 'App', and then you can find the scooter and it unlocks for you. You then scoot off somewhere, and when you dump it, you just scan something again and you pay and that's it.

    I'm 53 FFS... if I get on one of those things I'll be heading to the restaurant via a hospital.

    In Sweden you don't walk anywhere, you don't use cash and absolutely everything is done online. Apart from my student digs of course... no wifi here but luckily the neighbouring hotel (where I should be) has unsecured wifi access!

    I get to the office early, before anyone else, as is my habit, so I can settle in and have my cup of tea before anyone else arrives.

    Of course even the bladdy kettle is complicated. It wouldn't bloody start and eventually I had to find someone to ask how to turn it on. I was trying to stay discreet until my jeans had dried out. Kettle plugs in Sweden have a timer button above, that you have to press, it seems... nothing is normal here.



    It's shit here. This is why I like to be offshore... meals provided, everything cleaned and made up, no worries.

    I will never get through this without alcohol, but of course if you want anything above 3.5% you have to head to a government controlled alcohol monopoly place... supermarkets can't sell anything apart from weak beer. I asked my boss what people do if they want an after work drink and he looked at me like I was mental. Maybe in Sweden they don't do 'after work drinks' or maybe they just assume that everyone else doesn't use cash or can get to an alcohol shop before 7pm. And the bloody place closes at 3pm on Saturdays...

    So I will have a long lunch break on Saturday to walk a round trip of 12km just to get some cash and a box of wine. Or of course I could download an 'App' and go on one of these ridiculous scooter things. I'm really not very happy with this at the moment. But it's work... in Covid.

    Lom... for you... so you can recognise where I am.

    A few pics from the office veranda where I had lunch today (a cold Cornish pasty I'd brought over from the UK) ... on my own because everyone else here has lunch at 11am...

    To the left, towards the Baltic...



    Straight across... a refinery?



    And to the right, inland... I guess 'Göteborg' proper is up past that bridge. I'll be heading about 5km past that bridge this weekend just to get some cash and a box of wine!



    ... and the telly's shite as well.
    Last edited by Mendip; 24-09-2020 at 12:59 AM.

  15. #590
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Jaysus, do they not have taxis?

  16. #591
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    Looks like your diet and fitness regime will be enforced this time

  17. #592
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    ^ That is the one saving grace Chitty! It's still pretty shit though.

    ^^ You probably need an app to call a taxi. No-one communicates here, you just get app messages.

    Seems wrong to pay 30 quid for a taxi to find an ATM to get money out... I can't justify that. I'll go for a walk!

  18. #593
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    I asked a chap where there was an ATM and he looked at me weirdly.... no bugger uses cash in Sweden, everything is done with cards. He searched on his phone and told me the closest ATM was 5km away! And this a major city in a developed country!

    No-where to have a pint and no-where to even get some cash... and everything in Swedish in the supermarket... not a single translation anywhere.
    There ... newbie error.

    Swedes are wonderfully multi-lingual (not as good as the Finns mind you ... no-one speaks Finnish!).

    Ask a Lassie in/near the Supermarket. Appear a little bewildered, but say nice words about Sweden. Smile a lot

    Oh, it's Sweden, be Covid-19 aware.

  19. #594
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    ^ I would have happily risked Covid to ask the dog walker a few questions... or a lot worse to be honest Dave.

    I think I'm safer asking blokes for directions... I get strange looks off females. Maybe it's that '8 weeks on a boat' look I have.

  20. #595
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    It appears you left just in time.

    Farmers' union warns walkers after cows trample man to death

    "NFU urges dog owners to let them off leads if approached by cattle after teacher dies.

    A schoolteacher from North Yorkshire has become at least the second member of the public to be trampled to death by cows in the UK this year, as the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) urged walkers to let their dogs off their leads if they are charged by cattle."

    Farmers' union warns walkers after cows trample man to death | UK news | The Guardian
    A tray full of GOLD is not worth a moment in time.

  21. #596
    Excommunicated baldrick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    and everything in Swedish in the supermarket... not a single translation anywhere
    your google translate app will work if you select camera and point it at the writing

    and the electronic paying is common throughout the technologically developed world - and even better during the virus times

    get a local debit card - you can probably do all the application online

  22. #597
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    I can't justify that. I'll go for a walk!
    Are you sure you are not from oop northf?


    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    Maybe it's that '8 weeks on a boat' look I have.
    Have you showered or shaved recently?

  23. #598
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post

    That made me happy... is that a Staffy or a Boxer?

    From behind, she looks like a boxer. Not sure about the dog.

  24. #599
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    I'll be heading about 5km past that bridge this weekend just to get some cash and a box of wine!
    A walk of 5km one way is good exercise. Walking back with a few kilos of wine sounds like hard work.

  25. #600
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    I arrived in Gothenburg, or 'Göteborg' as they seem to like calling it here (I mean WTF are Goths called here... Göts?),
    Medieval times Svealand and Götaland (to become Sweden) the inhabitants were svear and götar.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post

    After 33 minutes (yes, I had asked her how long the trip was, and she had checked the internet, and told me 33 minutes, which was spot on.... as I have found everything is on the web here) we arrived at a nondescript office.

    An historical place in the old harbour, Nya Varvet (New Wharf) which was a navy base and wharf until mid eighties.
    After that a popular place for summer promenades and picnics.

    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post



    The mess hall, I ate there as young signal corps officer when on a temporary assignment to the navy base. Oh memory lane..

    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    So anyway, I needed food. No hotel, no nothing. I was told the closest supermarket was just up the road... I had no Swedish money but surely there would be an ATM...

    I asked a chap where there was an ATM and he looked at me weirdly.... no bugger uses cash in Sweden, everything is done with cards. He searched on his phone and told me the closest ATM was 5km away! And this a major city in a developed country!
    There are ATM's in shopping centers and in every bank office front wall but bank offices are prolly rare nowadays.
    I would have thought that a seasoned traveler like you had sorted that in the airport arrival hall ATM machine..

    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post

    I staggered back with my shopping and the only good thing about Sweden I discovered was that they are a nation of dog lovers.



    That made me happy... is that a Staffy or a Boxer?

    A Stiffy maybe?

    Summer at Nya Varvet
    My post-lockdown commute back to work-20180625_133700-jpg

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