Our first flight together

Had a few more days in Cologne, visiting friends of Caroline, going out and many great hours making love. On Tuesday we took the train South, to visit Caroline’s mum who lives near to Stuttgart. I really like travelling by train… talking, kissing, and listening to music…and all sorts of strange people to look at to. We shared the carriage with Mr Splendini and his assistant, who was unfortunately not well and caused quite a commotion during the trip.
It was good to meet Caro’s mum and her brother. Her mum was nice and tried her best to talk to me in English, even if its not her strong point. Florien was friendly and took a walk with me across the fields near the house, speaking very good English and telling me about his life and interests. Unfortunately both Caroline and I picked up a bug and were very ill during the night and were very week for a few days. Can’t remember ever being so ill…first time I’ve ever lost 1.5 kg at Christmas! Anyway, it was good to be there and see where Caroline had grown up and meet her family. On the Friday we took a plane from Stuttgart direct to Stockholm. This was another first…first time we were travelling on a plane together. And we spent a lot of time talking about the options for our future together…in the neutral air space between Germany and Sweden. It made me feel very emotional…had tears in my eyes…looking into the eyes of this very special girl I love.

Christmas Eve

I can see it’s a big mistake to not keep up with my blog entries, as I’m having problems remembering in which order I did things over this Christmas period.
Being back at Caroline’s flat in Cologne felt very good and being with her 24 hours a day now seemed very natural to me. On the Saturday, we made plans for the coming days and did some shopping for food during the day. I put the final touches to my rhymes for Caroline’s presents and attached them to her already wrapped presents. Caro had organised tickets for us in the evening to the Köln Philharmonic Concert Hall to see a Christmas performance by Bach. We met Friederike and Matias who were also at the concert. It was a really good performance and a special thing to do at Christmas… I was a little tired and nodded off just a few times during the first half… but I was refreshed during the interval with a glass of Champaign and the second part was more enjoyable… especially with my girlfriend by my side.

Christmas Eve was such a great day for us both. We really spent the day as we had planned, together and at our own pace…the way we wanted it to be. We spent the morning in bed and opened the first of our presents together. We had a late breakfast and went for a walk into the city centre. It was only a few degrees plus and we followed the river up to the Cathedral, which we decided to visit and take a look inside. It was quite dimly lit inside, but various areas were lit up with candle light and looked very pretty. I suggested we each light a candle too, and that we could remember someone. I could see Caroline was moved by this moment and suspected she was thinking of her father. I held her and we left this great church together, both perhaps with a tear in our eyes, thinking of the ones we had remembered. We jumped onto a bus and got home quickly, both keen to get warm again and continue our Christmas day. We opened the remaining presents… mine included a backgammon game, which Caro had made herself… I was very impresses with this one. Then we made wonderful love together, celebrating this special day in our own very special way. In the evening we cooked salmon and ate our Christmas dinner together… then later on, we went out with Friederike and Matias to a club and danced to disco classics until late into the night. This really turned out to be one of the best Christmas Eves I have ever had… thank you Caroline… this was special.

Friday...on my way

After a very busy week, I have at last left work...I need this break and I need my girl. Just some last minuite things to fix...take Hannah and their stuff over to their mums...and finish packing. In a bit of a rush now...dont forget the things in the fridge! and my book and the Christmas presents. Throw my bag on my back, and head for ths airport bus...just in time...I catch the one I wanted to get. Check in, pass security...and relax...on my way. I call Caroline and we agree to meet at the airport, wonder if she will make it to the airport in time this time? Call my Auntie Carol and my Dad and say Happy Christmas...and sit n write rhymes for the presents to Caroline...looking forward to being together with her for Christmas. On the plane...write and doze...land a little late... and Caroline is waiting for me, and that kiss, that hug...my love, it´s so good to be in your arms again.

Christmas Market

I landed in Munich, then a short wait and a 1 hour flight to Cologne. No time to waste, I take a taxi from the airport to get to her flat as quick as possible. As usual we had a beautiful evening together and woke in the morning having enjoyed our loving hours in the bed together. Caroline was attending her course on Sunday, so I sat in bed and wrote some stuff on my PC, read and had a relaxing time. Then I walked around her neighbourhood

And took a few pictures of Cologne and found the Starbucks where we should meet up. I like this feeling of sitting in a café and reading and waiting for my girlfriend to turn up and come in and give me a kiss and a hug. We went to one of the small bars and had a coffee and a light snack and wrote Christmas present lists together (another first for us). Then we went to a traditional German Christmas Market and enjoyed the atmosphere, found a present for my sister and drank a mug of Gluvine…very Christmas’y.

We had a great evening together…ate some food and talked about lots of big and small things in our lives…and then to bed. We got up together and I left for the airport. Leaving her is easier these days…and I knew it would only be 2 weeks before I would be back for the Christmas holidays.

A week in Delhi

It’s strange, but after all my travelling, this is my first trip to India. I’ve wanted to visit India for a long time, but never got around to it, so I was pleased to get the chance to make this first trip with my work. The visit was as usual mostly work, but I had the chance to get a little taste for what this great country has to offer. My boss Magnus has been working on this project for some years and now its time for more of us to get involved. The flight via Munich to Delhi was business class, so a little more comfort than usual, but I arrived with much less sleep than I needed on Tuesday morning in New Delhi. The hotel was centrally located and had quite a neat trendy design and the room was very comfortable.

Business wise, the week was very intense, with an almost continuous schedule of meetings with our Indian partners and the Indian Railways. The railway in India is the largest in the world and being the largest single employer in India and the world, it’s a big organisation to get to know and work with. It’s also a separate government ministry with a complex political and bureaucratic organisation. We made several visits to the ministry building to have meetings with the board members and ministers. It’s a large building where life revolves around finding room numbers and waiting patiently for people. The Indians have a special style when it comes to meeting procedures. Usually you enter their office and sit in a small sofa group, while the current visitor conducts their business. Then, when their finished, your invited to join him at his desk, or he might join you on the sofa to have a cup of tea. Drinking tea is a central part of almost every meeting in India, some times also with some food. Most of the senior staff have an army of assistants, who hurry in at the push of a button, to bring tea of food of documents or what ever is needed.

We had planned to try and meet a least one of the 3 government ministers for the railways. We had a good chance to meet one and he was in the parliament that day, which was debating an important amendment to a railway bill. His under secretary was a very nice guy and had helped us to meet people in the ministry during the week. He said the minister would return after the parliament, so we came back later in the afternoon, but we were then advised he had gone directly to his residence after the late session. The secretary asked if we would like to see the minister at his residence. Yes we said, a little surprised by the question. And so off we went with our taxi, which had waited for hours outside for us, which is apparently quite normal! At the ministers residence we were introduced to him and sat in his reception room where we were offered whiskey and small things to eat. He was very social and as we talked about our project and India. He explained a little about his political role. It’s expected that politicians in India are available to the people, and so such meetings were an everyday part of his job as a minister. It was quite an experience and key lobby meeting for us.

As usual we had very little time for our selves. We did manage to go for a walk one lunch time and visit the bazaar at Connaught Place, a sort of centre point for Delhi. It’s quite a run down area with shops and stalls and an underground bazaar. Having found some things to buy, it was fun to bargain and haggle with the traders and it seemed quite easy for us to negotiate down the prices. I also bought a pair of Levi jeans which were about half the price you’d expect in Sweden.

Not so unexpected...most things around the streets are very dirty and there are people sleeping at the side of the road and small children run along side you and beg for money. It’s hard to deal with this and feel comfortable with it while were living in our luxury hotel next door to all this poverty. There are still more than a third of the Indian population living below the poverty level, which is just 1 dollar per day! At the end of the week I am tired and looking forward to flying home. I will stop in Germany on the way and spend the rest of the weekend with Caroline in Köln…so much looking forward to this and to cuddling up beside her and sleeping.

More Firsts...

Looking back to this weekend there are some special moments to remember and some more firsts to document. Like the meeting at Arlanda…again the most sensual kiss when Caroline arrived. Also those special words whispered into her ear…I love you…this is such a special phrase. We were naturally very passionate following this 3 week gap since we last met. And the beautiful love making in my bed that night showed we both had been missing each other. On Saturday morning we eventually got out of bed and had breakfast, before going into Stockholm to do some shopping. We went to the old food hall on Östermalm and then did some sort of Christmas shopping together, which was a first. We then went to see a film together. A great first…we both love films and it seems we have similar taste in what we want to see. We chose a Woody Alan film, Scoop, which was funny and Woody Alan was just great in his role too. That lovely Scarlett Johansson was also in the film. We cuddled and kissed and enjoyed the film together...I just love watching a film with my girl sitting next to me and her hand on my leg…never knowing when it might move up my thigh.

After the film we went home and I prepared a curry, the first time I have mode one for Caro. We were a little short of time, so I had to rush it a little, but it was quite good and Caro seemed to like it. After dinner we met up with Josip and went into town to go bowling. This was also the first time Caro and I have been bowling together. Happy to say she was good at this too…and I played quite badly and Josip wiped the floor with us with a row of strikes and high scores. After a drink or two at a bar we arrived home at around 12.

The Sunday was a nice mixture of morning intimacy, discussions and meeting up with Jonas and Pia and to see their new born baby Axel. He was very sleepy and well behaved and we enjoyed a 1st of advent fika with them. Again we are saying goodbye at the airport and its in some way easier…now we can believe in our loving relationship and the knowledge that we love each other, and that we will see each other again soon. I am happy to make Caroline smile with joy, when I confirm that I’m ready to share all her “baggage” of life and her past and that together we will deal with our life, love and happiness together.

It was great

This was just a great weekend. My girl from Köln is like a supply of oxygen...I feel so happy with her by my side. I'm off to India for a week on business, so I should find some time to write about the weekend. There were some great moments...a few firsts...I need to put them into words, and remember :)

A reason

Sometimes I wonder why I am here…living in a foreign country, working for a Swedish company, trying to remain British in a sea of Swedes…
but then I remember that its not important where you are in the world, what’s important is that you enjoy your life and that there is someone else in your life that matters….and if your lucky, someone who cares and loves you. That’s what makes it all worth while. And I’m lucky enough to have a special person in my life and she’s coming to see me this weekend…and that’s what matters just now. Can’t wait to see her and kiss her at the airport…I know she’s also looking forward to that kiss, that long embrace…and another weekend together in each others arms.

Lucky Tuesday

Well after being reminded by my boss I might need a visa for India, as I’m due to fly there next week on business. I made some calls and yes, shit, I needed one. Not like me to miss something like this! Suppose this is what happens when someone else organises a trip for you…anyway,
I had to download and fill out the forms, had a photo and my passport at work, lucky, dived into my car and rushed into town. Ran into the embassy at 11:55, they close at 12:00, lucky, and sat down and waited. Waited an hour for my number to come up, which was last. Was advised that it takes 5 to 10 day to get a visa! Showed him the letter saying I would be meeting the Railways Minister and that it was very important, also that I was flying on Monday! Monday! he said. Yes I said, can you fix it by then, PLEASE. After some more questions I seemed to be winning. Can you collect it on Monday at 12 he said, Yes I said, lucky. Ran back to the car, which I had abandoned in a very illegal position, no parking ticket, VERY LUCKY. I’m sure there’s a good moral to this story…but who cares, sometimes you just have to be a bit lucky!

4 days to go

Now there are only 4 days to go before I will see Caroline again…that’s if my aching heart can wait that long! I have this wish to simply fast forward the next few days so that Friday will come much faster. Caro is flying to Stockholm on Friday evening and I will collect her from the airport…and as usual I will be waiting there for her with my heart beating and my mind spinning with desire… and what a kiss she will get when she arrives :)

Good Friday night

After a very tough week at work, filled with difficult meetings, stressy customer calls and too much e-mail, I needed a fun Friday night. I arrange for Therese and her man, Christian, and my friend Josip come over after work. Started with a much needed beer and some nibbles while we prepare our dinner together, which is a taco feast. Josip and Tess fix a fantastic Guacamole with lots of garlic.

Then we take a real drink, a mojito and Christian checks out the ice-hocky while we fix a play list for the music. We sit down and eat and have a good Friday chat and laugh lots which is very important on a Friday! Then we clear away and play a game of Poker. This is always good fun with cool Josip, hard to read Christian, and win on the river Tess :) But after a long game and much to and fro of chips…I manage to win… and it was a while since I last won so that was fun. All in all a very satisfying, fun Friday night...I just wish Caroline could have been here with me, to enjoy the evening together with me. I hope to do this again soon but togther with her.

Calls to my family

I have been talking both my Mum and Dad on the phone this week about Caroline. I’ve been pleased the way they have both been asking about my new girlfriend. I don’t speak to them so often, every few weeks or so, and some times months go by before we speak again. I had previously discussed Caroline with my mum, so she already knew about her. She was anyway asking about our trip to Madrid and was pleased to hear our relationship is moving forward, which it is :) She doesn’t seem so surprised, but that’s perhaps not so strange, as I left England some time ago and have previously been together with a girl from another country, so nothing seems to surprise her any more. I spoke to my dad this evening and he mentioned it right away. He’d had the news from my auntie Carol, who had sent him a print out of an e-mail I sent her. My dad doesn’t have a pc and doesn’t want one either, so he’s always the last to hear any news. Nonetheless, he sounded very pleased and asked how my German was going…I have to admit I haven’t learnt so much yet. He remembers some as he was stationed in Berlin when he was a young marine. So I was happy to discuss Caroline with them both and look forward to taking her to England to meet them.

Seven!

Sunday in Madrid
Again we wake in a warm embrace… we have to catch breakfast before 11 and get off to the German Embassy to fix a temporary ID for her. Its not far away and the ID’s soon fixed. Then we walk to the park and find a quiet spot on the grass to lie-down, soak up the Spanish sun and talk to each other. We have a lovely chat about lots of things and how we met in Greece. How we met on that last night, in that bar, and now 4 months later, I’m so unbelievably happy and in love with this girl. So I have to say that this was the luckiest meeting ever.

When we get back to the hotel, it was clear we both wanted to take advantage of the last few hours in Madrid together in our hotel bed. I live in a permanent state of anticipation that I’ll be able to re-live this day, to see if there’s a limit to our enjoyment of each other.
At the airport we again find it hard to separate, and as she’s leaving me, I want to say it, but I don’t get the right moment, and as she goes through to the plane, I want her to look back and see me through the glass, so I can point to my heart and then to her, but she’s gone with a wave, and now my heart is aching and I know this means that I do love her.
Its funny how its hard to say sometimes…but I can do this the next time we meet…because I can write it now its true…see…I love you :-)

Saturday in Madrid

Hmmm…there’s movement in the bed next to me…a soft hand is gently stroking my shoulder, moving down my back, over my backside, along my leg and back. This is the most pleasant way to woken up that is humanly possible, as I am waking up…and I realise that my girl is in need of love and attention. She’s lying in my arms and looking satisfied with her man and this great bed…and I relax and enjoy this morning cuddle and we make plans for the day ahead. The breakfast in the hotel is excellent and we take advantage of the easy atmosphere the hotel offers us. After breakfast, we set off to collect the police report that Caro has phoned in for the stolen wallet. It’s a sunny day and we walk through the twisting streets and soak up the Spanish sun. We walk through the palace grounds, around the old town and back to a small bar where we eat more Tapas.
Back at the hotel we run the bath and enjoy a bottle of Champagne and chocolates in the warm bubbly water, and just chat and absorb this great moment. We go out with Ignacio and his wife and eat tapas at 2 different places and then on to a bar for the last drink on the night. This part of the old town is full of such bars. This was a perfect day… and I want to keep on having days like this with Caroline for the rest of my life.

You are the best…my love…I love you.

Friday in Madrid

I had some work to do on Friday morning, so I had to get up and leave my beautiful girl at the hotel. So while I discussed the details of a major project with Madrid Metro, Caroline explored the old streets of Madrid, enjoyed the fabulous weather…which at 18degC, was much warmer than usual and much better than the rain that had dominated the weeks before we arrived. Now it was sunny and warm, and Caroline was enjoying her free time. I finally got back from my business at about 7 and met Caro waiting for me in the hotel lobby. We changed and then walked down through the old town in Madrid and found a little Tapas bar near the Royal Palace. This Spanish food is so good, and we ate the special cooked pepper dish and the cooked potatoes with eggs…just so good. It was just perfect there. Then we walked to a small bar and had a drink, and then to another bar where they were playing live Flamenco music. Caro had found this place on the internet and it was fun to see the way the locals joined in and sang these strange Spanish songs. Then on the way back to our hotel, a small disaster, Caroline had her wallet stolen. There followed some distressed moments and phone calls to credit card companies, but we eventually got things in some order. I felt so sorry for Caroline…she’s not an un-careful person, it was just very bad luck. We eventually got into bed, a little distracted by the evening’s events and very tired. I did my best to console her over the lost wallet and we soon fell asleep in each others arms.

To Madrid

Thursday in Madrid
I was on my way to Madrid with my work today. I have customer meetings and I will take part in a Rail exhibition in Madrid, together with our Spanish Distributor. More importantly, I have my great girlfriend flying to Madrid, at the same time. Caroline is going to stay with me until Sunday…what great planning this was. When I landed in Madrid, Caroline was already there, as her flight from Cologne landed 30 minutes before mine. Again I can’t wait to hug and kiss her when again we are meeting after a few weeks apart, and again in an airport terminal. This is becoming our preferred meeting place :) As always, we can hardly stop kissing her…her tongue is playing delicately with mine as we kiss…my heart is racing and the sense of desire is filling the air around us. We take a taxi to my hotel, which is in the centre of Madrid. It’s a smart hotel and our room turns out to be just fine and has just what we need…a big bed :) We walk to a small Tapas bar and have some wine and tapas and chat. It has a beautiful atmosphere and we’re both very happy to be in Madrid together. We return to the hotel and move to the bed. What a fantastic lover my Caroline is... this Spanish mood is obviously very compatible with us.

1st sexy message for you

I just posted a story for your eyes only :)

and I want to stay

The next morning we wake up and I feel great…I think Caroline did too…she looked very happy. We chat and cuddle and make love again and were very relaxed and enjoying each others company. This evening and day together was so much needed by both of us…its just amazing how much we want each other.

We get up and have a sot of brunch meal and were watching the time as Friederike is due to pick us up at 12. Caroline has a theatre group to get to and I’m going with her and I’m looking forward to this. We drive with Friederike to the hotel where the performance will take place. It’s for an old ladies birthday party. I meet the others from the group and they are very friendly and want me to join in with their warm up session. I’m a little nervous. They are doing “PlayBack” theatre, which involves the players acting short stories live, based on input from the audience. They do a few to warm up, and then they ask me for a story! I’m not sure what to say to Friederike, who is the “story catcher” (I’m sure they have another name for this, but this seems very suitable) for this performance. I tell of the problems getting to Köln the previous evening…and then they begin, in English! Its very good and funny and Caro is looking at them, quite surprised, and like me, she’s so impressed with their performance of us that she forgets to take part her self. [Which when I read your blog later, I understand you were very moved at this point] Well the actual performance is actually very fun too and although I can’t understand most of what there saying, I’m enjoying watching them and how they all have their own styles and expressions.

Friederike drives us straight to the airport as I need to catch my flight home. Caroline and I sit in our now very familiar café at the airport and chat and hug and kiss, and long for the plane to be cancelled or something so I can stay longer. Another airport picture…these are so hard to get right when were both smiling and fooling about. But then I have to go and its never been so hard to let go of this girl…just one more kiss…then another…and another…and I want to stay with her.

Short trip to Cologne

There are times when I can even surprise myself…when I do something I wasn’t expecting to do…like this week, when I fixed a short trip to see Caro. Having not seen her for several weeks, I had the opportunity to make a stop in Germany on the way back from a business trip in Poland. It wasn’t actually great timing work wise and the detour would only give me an evening together with her in Cologne, but I really wanted to see her. So I went ahead and booked the flights and I called Caro last Friday to let her know I would be with her on Tuesday evening. She sounded so happy…I knew immediately this unexpected visit would be worthwhile.

My flight from Poland was late leaving Gdansk airport, so I missed my connecting flight to Cologne in Munich. I was mad about this…I’m so fed up with flights going wrong so often, especially when my girls waiting for me. I had a little luck as there was space on the next flight which was only an hour later. Frustrated…I called Caro to tell her I would be an hour late… and she told me she still planned to come to the airport to meet me. As I stood at the airport waiting for the next flight, I could only think of making love to her again as soon as I got to her flat.

When I arrived in Cologne and we met in the airport, my head felt dizzy with her love and kisses and my intense feelings for her. We took a taxi straight to her flat and were soon in her hall kissing passionately. This girl is amazing.
Later we relax and snuggle and chat in this late hour and we drink some wine and have a little midnight feast in her bed. I haven’t done that for a long time…its fun…then we fall asleep in a warn embrace, tired but satisfied and very happy...and in the dark I’m smiling on the outside as well as on the inside :)

In Poland

I’m in Poland on business this week, in Gdansk. This is a very pretty city and well worth a visit if you get the chance. After all the Polish history and wars and solidarity movement etc. the people are very friendly and proud of their city, which has been completely rebuilt. It was burnt to the ground, but is now restored to its original beauty. The old town is very large and has some very interesting architecture to look at and explore. As usual, I only had time for a quick tour, but the Polish guy who showed me around was very well informed and talked continuously about the city and its history. A good thing to try is their soup, which is served in a bowl made of bread! Very tasty, all of it.
I’m flying to see Caroline “on the way home”, which is actually a little detour around Europe, but as usual, I cant wait to see her again.

To Caroline

You’re sure to have had another busy day and I hope it was as fun as yesterday…would have loved to have seen the killing of the lamp….it sound so funny, I can just imagine this being performed by your group on stage :)
Of course you must be with the theatre group on Wednesday, apart from keeping your commitment to your friends, it’s not for me to just turn up and disrupt your plans…I’m the one who has to fit in. Any way I’m looking forward to see you perform with the group, and wouldn’t dare read a book, how rude would that be!
Great if you can fix a ride to the airport, so I catch my plane.

I missed you so much last night and today. I went out with Josip and his friend Elis and two other guys. We had quite a night and ended up in a club and dancing till 4 in the morning! But I wanted to dance with you…not the other people on the dance floor...I wanted my girl by me, close to me, and there to kiss when the slow dance came along at the end.
Today I was a bit hung-over and tired. I went for a walk in the park and could only think of you. It was so beautiful, the trees turning yellow and gold in the sun…and again I wanted to be next to you and seeing this together with you. I feel I’m wanting you more and more…Call me soon

Family visitors

My sister and her family have been here in Sweden staying with me from Saturday to Wednesday this week. It was a long time since she was last here in Sweden and it’s been good having them here. Three of their children were with them, so the flat was very full, but we all get on so it wasn’t a problem. It’s nice to see my girls getting on so well with their cousins, despite the fact that they don’t see so much of them. It’s as if they’ve lived next door all the time. They have similar interests and chat about music, ipods, xbox games and school…no problems at all. We’ve been to Skansen with them and they visited several museums and have managed to get around town on their own. Had the chance to talk to my sister about lots of stuff and it seems we are still getting on well, us two…and that feels good. She was happy to hear I have a new girl friend and is looking forward to meeting Caro if we go to England. Now I’ve dropped them all off at the bus station, for their connection to the airport, and when I get home it seems quiet in the flat for the first time in a week and even the girls notice that too.

Thursday - Good and Bad

Hmmm…some good and some bad thoughts at the end of this Thursday

Bad - My boss has been asked to leave the company and that makes me feel sad and unsure about the future at TagVille. I get on very well with him and will miss working together with him.

Good - It’s Thursday and that means its Friday tomorrow, and after a very busy stressy week, I need the weekend to arrive soon.

Bad – The day was full of difficult meetings with staff and customer contacts and I’m getting behind with my work load, especially with all this company politics to deal with.

Good - I had a relaxing evening playing some pool with my friend Aaron and we had a good chat about girls, life and stuff, and I won the most games.

Bad – I don’t have my girl lying in my bed waiting for me to come to bed and satisfy her desires.

Good - Caro has updated her Blog and sent me a lovely e-mail, and now I have sweet thoughts of her in my mind when I go to bed…and I know she’s thinking of me too and that makes the distance between us seem less :)

Now 3 months

Caro reminded me today that’s its now 3 months to-the-day since we met in Greece…its hard to believe that we’ve been able to do so much together in such a short space of time. And get to know each other so well…despite the fact that we actually live in different countries!

We’ve just got to the end of 10 fantastic days together here in Stockholm, the first time we’ve been together for longer than a long weekend, and it was great. This girl is lovely in so many ways and I love her being in my life and being part of hers too. The week has been filled with so many great moments and experiences together, some big and some small, I’m not sure I can remember them all for my blog…I shall try to put some of them into writing…as I know we both benefit from this blog. And I know that just writing them down makes me feel closer to her…and as I’m missing her already and she only flew back to Köln on Sunday evening and now it’s Monday, I know this will help.

Sandhamn

In the first few days that Caro is staying with me, she has the chance to meet my two daughters H&E for the first time. They are so grown up and the first evening together look as if it’s easy for them to manage. I can see Caro working hard to understand their English at times and get used to their quick chatting at the dinner table. On Saturday we all go to IKEA and do some shopping for stuff for my flat. It seems to work out quite well and we help prepare dinner together and then play a game of Yatzi afterwards. I think we have been able to clear this hurdle without any big problems.

On the Sunday morning, Caro and I set off for the trip I have planned to the archipelago off the coast of Stockholm. Caro looks great and excited to be getting away on my surprise trip. We take the car to Stavsnäs and then a ferry out to Sandön and Sandhamn, the island that we are to stay on. We’re lucky with the weather and the skys clear on this autumn day as the ferry stops at some small islands on the way. Sandhamn is very beautiful and we admire the view as the ferry docks in this cosy little harbour. We walk over to the hotel where I have booked our room for the night on this little island, dump our bags and take a walk in the sun. The island is small and mainly covered in woods, which are filled with all the Swedish treasures, such as lingonberry’s and mushrooms of every size and type. We reach the small beach at the end of the island and sit in the sun and just enjoy the beauty of this place and our own warm embraces.

When we get back to the hotel, we’re pleased with our room and the view of the harbour. We take advantage of everything the hotel has to offer…
the large indoor pool and hot tub, the restaurant, the room, the bed…

This was a fantastic weekend trip in every way…and one we will both surly remember for ever.

3 days to go

During the past week I have had some really good e-mail and msm exchanges with Caro and we Skyped for some time on Sunday. It’s so good to hear her voice and it makes me feel much closer to her.

We’ve been discussing several topics, including her visit to Stockholm, which is now only 3 days away. She’s coming for 10 days, so we will have lots of time to relax and be our selves. This will be the first time she meets my two girls, H&E, and I’ve been trying to anticipate her reaction to this first meeting. We’ve discussed this during the week and when I was last in Köln. I’m sure they will like her and they are very social and easy to get along with. Caro is also working with children, so this situation shouldn’t be too unusual for her. Anyway I’m planning some casual everyday things for us to do together, so I hope we are all able to relax and they can get to know each other.

I have also planned a small surprise trip for me and Caro at the weekend. I think I need to do things like this, as Caro is obviously a planning and organising person. I want our relationship to be balanced in some way, so it’s not always her that’s fixings things. I’ve perhaps been a bit lazy with this sort of thing in my last relationship and know girls appreciate it when their men also fix things.

Now I only have to count down the days….3 to go… cant wait to have her by my side again…. to let her meet some of my friends and relax together in our own time.

Welcome to Stockholm Caroline :)

A Saturday to remember

When I wake up the next day lying next to this angle of a girl, I can only think and wonder how lucky I am to be in this heavenly situation, this warm embrace from a feline form wrapped along my body from behind, caressing me into a waking state. This is to become a day to remember, for many reasons.
Its time to get up as were helping one of her best friends move into her new flat nearby. We take her bike and I remember it was a long time ago I gave a girl a lift on the packet holder of a bicycle…that’s funny, and I’m smiling to my self in the shop windows as we ride by, thinks this was a childish feeling. And I like it.
The move goes quite quick as these not too much and were 6 or 7 helping. The flats nice and it reminds me more of a flat in England than Sweden which surprises me. Its good meet and chat to these Germans who are very social and speak English very easily to me…making me feel involved and welcome.
We do some shopping for food and make a plan for the evening with a meal. But when we decide to take a short rest to catch up on some sleep. After we have cooked and eaten, we ride over to a bar/club and watch a live jazz band play. It’s a good band and we have fun chatting and making up stories about the band members.

It’s good to be back in Köln

Having been apart from each other for 3 weeks I have a big need to meet this fantastic girl in Köln as soon as possible. I’m on the plane from Berlin to Köln and thinking of her again. I doze off as I’m so tired. It’s been a busy week at the exhibition in Berlin and several late nights and drinks have deprived me of sleep. I’m hoping this won’t spoil my weekend with Caroline. Almost there and as usual, I only have to play back one of my favourite moments in my mind of being with her... (see Blog entry 31 Aug 2006) and I’m longing for her again as the plane lands and I’m sending a text to her to say the plane has landed. Then soon were seeing each other again in the terminal and the hugs and sensual kisses confirm were both longing for each other. We take a quick taxi ride back to her flat and Caro’s telling me all about her school trip with a class of 11 year olds. Back at her place, she’s fixing me a delicious light supper and again I’m reminded she’s good a preparing food I like.
Then to bed and love and then sleeping…together again :-)

In Berlin

So as you will see in this picture, part of my job involves taking part in trade shows around the world to promote the company I work for. I have been in Berlin this week attending the International Rail Exhibition. We share a stand with 5 other companies from Sweden, which is a very good solution for us and ensures were part of a large on stand together.
I’m here with my boss and with two colleagues Tess and Anre. It’s been a very busy week and quite hard work, but we’ve had good fun too. Much of the day is spent talking to customers and partners and in the evenings we have been out in Berlin. I think I am missing between 2 and 4 hours of sleep each night and now its Friday I can feel this. Last night we went to the Hacherscher Markt in Berlin, which is a nice area and has lots of places to eat and drink. We ate outside then went on to some bars in the surrounding district.
Now I’m looking forward to catching the flight to Köln for the weekend and seeing Caro again.

Your just great...

You’re just great, I loved your 2 new blog entries. This me being away thing is hard for you, I can see that and as you say, we have to talk about this so you understand it, it’s a part of being together with me and we can deal with it, together, I’m sure. This reminds me, that you have written “we have to talk about this” several times over the past weeks. I hope we will find the time and that we remember all these points. Most of them are things we can best discuss face to face. None of them are issues in my mind and I don’t think they are in yours either, so we shall take them one at a time as we find time together, do you agree?
I just loved your list, what a fab thing to think of. Lots for us to look forward to next weekend ;-)

In New York anyway…

…well it sound ludicrous but I’m in New York anyway! I tried not to be here, as I have to be in Berlin all next week and planned to use the weekend to wind down and shake off the 6 hour difference. But my flight from Pittsburgh was delayed, big time. I was sitting on the small plane, waiting for its slot to take-off from Pittsburgh to New York. I quickly fell asleep, then waking to the jolt of the plane moving, I thought we had landed, but we hadn’t even taken off, we were moving back to the terminal to re-fuel! When we finally got in the air, the flight was further delayed by air traffic control in Newark and we eventually landed more than 2 hours late, so I missed me connection to Stockholm. These things happen… so I’m in New York again and I’d be the first to admit, there are worse places you could be delayed :)
So Jonas got his way and I spent Friday night with him going out in central Manhattan. We went to a bar for a beer, then to another in Times Square, then to the West Side to a restaurant in Hells Kitchen, finally another drink on the way back to Sven and Sharon’s apartment, where we were staying. The next day we all went to a traditional New York diner for brunch with Sharon’s dad and some of their friends. It’s humid and the sun is out, so we went for a walk in Central Park, which is just a few blocks from their place.

I really like New York; it’s got loads of character. It looks so impressive with its towering skyline, neon signs and yellow cabs. After all the films you’ve seen, every detail you expect it to have is there, the smoking street grates, laddered fire escapes clinging to brick apartment fronts, corner flower shops filled with colour, Italian delicatessen stores, bustling side walks, its all there for real.
I leave on Saturday evening and once again I’m very grateful for my job which takes me to these places and for the friends I’ve made in these interesting places. I’m just a little sad I can’t share more of this time with this special girl in my life. It would be just great to have shared this week’s experiences together with Caroline, I’m sure she would have enjoyed it too. I hope we can travel together soon and I’m thinking of her and how we have so much in front of us to look forward to and experience together. I’m really looking forward to that :)

Outings in Pittsburgh

Even though I’m kept busy with work, I find time to do some other things while in the USA this week. I take the chance to do some shopping at one of the local shopping centres. It’s generally much cheaper in the US and I buy stuff like Chinos, a T-shirt and a pair of Boots, which are all basically half the price compared with Sweden. Last night we were out in Pittsburgh with a customer.
We ate at the Pittsburgh Hard Rock Cafe, which was OK but not the best Hard Rock I’ve been to. The barbeque ribs were tasty and we drank local draft ale. Beginning to tire of our week of meat meals, Jonas and I set out to find something different to eat this evening. We checked out the cinema on our way out, but there was nothing on we wanted to see. I ask a local if there was a bowling alley near by and he gave us directions to a place he knew. We found a very suspect looking Chinese restaurant next to the bowling alley, but we decide to brave it as it was the only place to eat and we wanted to eat something different. We ordered their set menu and when the food arrived, we were very surprised to find it was really good. The owner came with each dish and explained what it was for us; even the cook comes out to check we were enjoying it. The whole meal only costs us 20 dollars each and was great value. We went down into the bowling alley and find out it’s a real old place from the 40’s with some very interesting individuals who look like they might have been working there since it opened. We played 3 games and we had to change lanes 2 times because the old machines were breaking down all the time and an old man had to come and fix them. We had a real good laugh bowling and are happy we braved this less than glamorous location which provided us with a real unusual American experience.

9/11 Flight

9/11 was a truly shocking event and this date is therefore unforgettable for most of us. Now 5 years on and on the very same day, I’m sitting on a plane on my way to New York and then on to Pittsburgh on a business trip. Some of my friends and family were concerned about me being on this flight, as was my girlfriend Caroline. As the plane is less than half full, I suspect that others have chosen not to fly on this day. I really don’t worry about these things and am not concerned. I spend so much time flying and have stopped thinking about accidents with planes a long time ago. But I do respect that others are worried and I hope that everyone who knows me is not too stressed about this flight.
We have just flown over Greenland, which for once was not covered in cloud and looked fantastic. The coast line was mountainous and full of glaciers twisting down into the clear blue sea, which was full of icebergs. Were at an altitude of 12,000 metres, travelling at 886 km/h and its minus 48 deg.C outside. The wireless internet connection is fine and I’m just mailing this message to some friends now.

My great girls

I’ve had a good week with Hannah and Emma at home and we’ve managed to spend some time together eating together some evenings and talking about our lives and what were doing. There growing up…or are grown up now! I’m pleased they can talk to me about their lives, their friends and boyfriends. I have tried hard not to be a disaster dad who doesn’t understand his children and with this week in mind, I’m sort of thinking I managed to get this right with them. I want to keep in touch with my children all through their lives and I hope that even when they move away, that they will always be able to call or come home to tell me about the bad or good times their experiencing.

Work has been tough this week with lots of pressure and problems and I need to try and relax this weekend. I’m off to the US on business on Monday for a week and I will be in Berlin all the following week at an exhibition. After that I will fly on to Köln for the weekend with Caroline and as usual I find myself very much looking forward to that. In fact I can hardly wait to see her eyes and embrace her in my arms again.

Sunday Heaven

I think I got coffee in bed again on Sunday…what could I possibly have done to deserve this…. We sit and chat in bed again and it’s so great that we seem to be able to talk about everything in such an uninhibited way. This girl is doing me so…much…good…I feel younger and refreshed by her smile, and her youth. We talk about her friends and I know they mean a lot to her and her to them too. You can see this from this sms that Tatjana sent me back on Saturday “it will be great to meet the man who makes this wonderful woman Caro fell so happy”. I hope I can live up to their expectations!

We take a walk around the area where she lives in Köln and were discussing our trips to see each other over the coming months and she asks about Christmas. I am a little surprised, but it will be great if we can arrange to see each other then too. On the way back to her flat we buy some cakes and have a snack before we have leave for the airport together. When I’ve checked in my bag, we sit and chat and photo each other in the airport terminal while we wait as long as possible before I have to leave. We decide we should start a series of airport photos of each other, so here is one of them. Were talking about our relationship and the risks involved because of the distance, culture and language, but we have so much going between us, I can only be optimistic and I hope that despite my warnings to Caro, that she believes my love and can also continue to be optimistic and make this work out for us.

Saturday bliss

I find myself waking up to Caro gently stroking my body from behind…she has a lovely way of doing this and it really turns me on in a big way. I lie as still as I can and enjoy the way her smooth hand is bringing my body to life and I wish that this will go on forever…but I don’t have the determination to keep still for long and eventually I turn around and caress her in return. Our skin touching and the contrast in its tone adding to the beauty of our embrace.

Caro has got up and made us coffee in bed and were sitting in bed talking and checking some things on her pc, like words we want to explain to each other and books of films were discussing. The internet is such a good tool for doing this. We plan the day and evening, even though it’s already quite late. Were going to meet two of her girlfriends later on and we text them with our plans of where to meet. We get up and I go out to buy bread and things for breakfast. The bakery is just round the corner and smells so good and its fun searching the other local shops for things I can’t find, I want orange marmalade and eventually I find it. We have breakfast on her balcony and its quite warm outside. We shop for some food for dinner then head off on our bicycles. We ride through the small streets and parks around the outskirts of Köln and stop on a grassy slope to fold out our rug and relax in. Were lying together in the park talking about our families and friends and I’m so happy to be there together with Caro, a loving couple in the park, along with the other couples around us…it feels good to be in this situation again, being a couple on a rug, in a park.

We cycle back home via the city centre and buy some books we have been talking about. Then back at the flat we cook dinner together and we work well in the kitchen at the same time. Caro’s obviously had problems with others in this area, because she comments on it and is surprised and pleased about this, that we can cook together. I think she has added this to her mental list of MrSmith plus points :)

Meeting her friends
We cycle across the city to a small wine bar called BarFly. I’m going to meet Friederike and Tatjana for the first time and I’m looking forward to this. I know Caro is a little nervous about what they will think of me, but I’m confident it will go well. We arrive first and order a great cocktail while we wait. When they arrive, I give them each a hug in the Swedish way and try to make sure I get their names right (I have been practicing them all day in my mind) which I manage to do for once. I think they are nervous about their English, which is actually fine, and were soon talking and laughing about all sorts of things. They are both very sweet. Its good fun and I’m happy we have such a good time together, and so is Caro, I can tell even before I ask her about it. She’s kissing me in the bar and I can tell were being studied by the others and no doubt we will be the subject of their discussions over the coming weeks. I’m careful not to drink too much because I can see that twinkle in Caro’s eyes and I know what that means, and I’m looking forward to making love to her again too when we get home. My mind is wandering already, before we even leave the bar. This is one of the best days I’ve had in a long time and when we get back to her flat, and her bed, it gets even better.

Landing in Köln again

Destination Köln, to meet Caroline, for the 4th time and my 2nd visit to her place. I’m tired and try to catch up on sleep on the plane, drifting off, I’m happy to find Caro slipping easily into my dreams. My Germanwings 2 hour flight from Stockholm arrives on-time in Köln and I wait to collect my bag, wondering how she will look this time, she’s coming to collect me in a friend’s car. I walk out into the arrivals hall to see her waiting for me, looking great and very happy. Its so good to have her in my arms again…kissing and hugging…it’s a long time since I landed at an airport and had someone there waiting for me, longing for me…I cant tell you how good that feels.
She drives us back to her flat and it’s great to be there again. We share a cool beer and I’m delighted to find she has a present for me…its one of these travelling wash bags she has and that I had said I wanted…waiting in the bathroom with a message on it for me. I’m happy I bought her a present too, and she seems pleased with the underwear I give her. It’s late and we are soon on our way to her bed. We want each other so much after almost 2 weeks of being apart and we make love in a passionate and fulfilling way.
On Friday morning I wake alone in her bed. Caro has to work in the morning so I take lazy lie-in. She’s working in a school and we have arranged to meet up later on when she’s finished after lunch. I eat some breakfast and take the bicycle Caro’s borrowed for me and cycle to meet her. It’s a beautiful ride along the side of Rhine which is just a few blocks from her flat. I stop on a small grassy patch on the bank of the river and strip to my shorts as the sun has come out and it’s suddenly hot. I bought a small German phrase book when I was in London and now spend a bit of time trying to get to grips with some of the basic German greetings and stuff…this is going to take time! Caro arrives and after a chat about her troubles at work, we ride back into Köln and stop for coffee and light lunch one of her favourite cafes. We pickup some shopping on the way home. The area she lives in is small streets, full of small community shops and has a nice busy and local feel to it, despite the fact that were just a short walk from the city centre, I like this a lot. Our evening spent eating out at a local Tapas Bar and again were deep into stories about our past and discussing our lives and comparing views on these things. Its very easy to talk openly about everything with Caroline and that’s very important for both of us and to our progress together.

On-line chatting

Yesterday I was on-line to Caro for ages. We seem to be able to communicate very well in this way, using e-mail or MSN. In a way I prefer to talk and call each other sometimes, but I also like the way we can be very intimate and stimulate each others minds and hearts with words. Really looking forward to seeing her again on Thursday night and as I’m arriving quite late, we won’t need an excuse to jump straight into bed together...looking forward to that :-)
I’ve been out playing snooker this evening with some mates, which is one of my favourite things to do these days in an evening. For now I usually get to play once every week or two and am getting better, slowly but surely.

Matters of the heart

What’s important for me in a relationship? I woke up this morning with this big question on my mind again, its one I have been trying to spend time on over the last few weeks. I try to and decide what’s important for me in a relationship and relate this to my girlfriend Caroline. But each time I try to think about it, all the things I have in my mind get mixed up and I find it hard to focus on them and I end up giving up with the process and hoping it will be clearer next time I try, but it isn’t. Why is it like this?
There are so many different factors that make a relationship good and I think we have already established that lots of them are working for us… the attraction to each other, the form of our bodies, the way we touch, caress and kiss each other… the way we make love to each other. I’m a big believer in the chemical factors, the taste of a kiss, taste of the body and scent of each other and all these are working for me. The “like the same things” list like food and music is growing too. We still have lots more to talk about and get to know about each other and what makes us the people we are, what made us the way we are and what we want from life in the future… but my heart is beating faster when we meet and when we have intimate moments and this thing with the heart is perhaps at the centre of this relationship question… its very important and difficult to understand sometimes… but it feels good.

Friday night…

Thank-god-its-Friday… busy week at work and with travelling and some late nights… I feel in need of a good night out. We start the evening off with some after-work drinks on the balcony with Josip and Jonas… that’s good. Then into town to Söder with bags of beers, to a friends place for drinks and take-away curry. The evening is interspersed with an exchange of raunchy sms with Caro…even some pictures…just how drunk was I? We go on to a favourite bar on Södermalm called Metro on Götgatan, a cool, laidback place with a relaxing lounge environment. All-in-all a great evening, even if a little too much intoxicating drink was consumed….but you need a night like that sometimes. Just a little hard to get up today ;-)

Business in London

London is a good place to visit on business as my brother Michael and sister Zoë live there. I have a major rail project developing in London and so I’m in London for 2 days to visit the customer and system integrator for a project meeting. Michael lives in central London not far from Tower Bridge. I stay with him instead of a hotel, that’s much nicer and gives me a chance to se him. He’s just moved into a new apartment, which is great and even bigger than his last one! On the Tuesday evening, I meet up for an after-work drink in Canary Wharf with Michael, Zoë and Lindsey, a girl friend of theirs. We sit outside and have a few drinks, chat and laugh about life, and then we eat at one of the restaurants nearby. It’s good to be here and see them and I’m glad I have a good relationship with them despite the distance.

I hope I can bring Caroline here some day soon to meet them too. Its less than a week to go before I will see her again in Cologne and I am hoping the coming days will go quickly.

Casual Saturday

Fortunately is still hot here in Sweden, so I have to get out on my bike. I’m trying to spend time with my two teenage daughters, which isn’t easy as they seem to be very occupied with their own lives and friends. Take a ride into town on my Triumph to lunch with Josip and Elis, then I go into the centre and buy a new CD case for my music, which I’ve been meaning to do for ages. Cook dinner for me and the girls and we manage to sit down and eat and chat together which is nice.

A great visit

Although I only had an evening and morning with Caroline during this visit to Köln, it was really great and seemed to last much longer than I expected.

As well as all our passionate moments, we spent lots of time talking about all sorts of things and I feel were getting to know each other very well. It’s still quite early in our relationship, but I think we continue to find a great deal of subjects on which we both have similar views. We lie in bed in the morning and plan several trips to Köln and Stockholm over the coming months. It can be cheep to fly as long as you book in advance and were taking advantage of that. I will visit her again in the first weekend in September for a long weekend. Very much looking forward to that and to meeting her friends. We also talked about future possibilities to be together and I was surprised Caro was prepared and had given this some thought already. I’d previously decided not to get into this subject until we had seen more about each other, but it’s good to see she’s taking this relationship seriously. That makes me feel good.

When its time to go, I’m trying to be brave and cool but I just want to throw away my bag and stay with her. My heart is longing as soon as I’m driving away in the taxi and the only consolation is to sit down later and write all this all on my Blog. Wonder if anyone else other than Caro will ever read this Blog and what they will make of it?

Meeting Caroline for the 3rd time

I’m on the ICE train on my way to Köln. In just an hour or so I shall meet her again, my mind is wandering again and all I can think of is taking her as soon as we meet. Is this really normal behaviour? [Don’t be stupid, sure it is, you like her and she likes you, perfectly natural to think this way!] I’ll be there soon. Patience!

Now I’m waiting for Caroline at Starbucks outside the train station in Köln. Just managed to get on an earlier train and now she’s on her way to meet me. I sitting here with my coffee and just for now, try to stop myself thinking of all the things we might do together and how our relationship might develop, as this is too exciting and I want to seem relaxed when she arrives. I have my head down reading my book when she arrives. Then her warm hands are stroking my face from behind and then her face is reaching round to kiss me. She looks so good and happy and in that seemingly frozen moment in time, I realize that this could be the person I want to spend a lifetime together with. We hug and embrace and kiss each other and my heart is racing, she’s so pretty. We sit and chat, have a coffee and discuss plans. It’s a short buss ride to her flat and now here we are together in Cologne for the first time together. Her flat has big rooms and has a very female touch to it. Her beautiful paintings are on the walls and I like them a lot, she’s obviously talented. She has a beautiful balcony which is full of plants. Were both trying to be social and manage this 3rd meeting together in a serious sort of way, but that doesn’t last for long, we can’t help our selves. Were very close to each other, kissing, and we both want each other very much, all control is lost, we have to make love immediately.

Travelling again

Now I’m off travelling with my work again, only this time I have the chance to mix business with pleasure. My job requires me to travel a lot and it takes me all over the world, but it’s very unusual for me to plan anything fun at the same time. This time I’m visiting customers in Switzerland and Germany, flying to Zurich then by train to Mannheim and Köln. The coincidence is almost beyond belief, as Caro lives in Köln, so I get the chance to visit her there for the first time. I can’t wait. She’s been sending me more text messages and e-mails with more of her story about us. As usual I am taken back by her ability to describe our meetings in detail and with all the same passion I felt at the time too. It’s very hard to get my emotions about this girl straight in my head. I’ve started something that I want to continue, the question is; do I know where it’s going and am I prepared for the potential result. I know I don’t want to stop now anyway.

Wow...mind blowing...

...Just read the first part of Caroline’s story of how we met, this is better than booze or drugs…reading her story about her, me, us… its giving me such a rush. It's like standing in a strong wind or winning a race. The feeling that someone is writing these things about me is so good. I love the bit about our first meeting…I want to remember that in more detail…wonder if I can, or if she can…those small first looks, first touch, first kiss…
…I’m looking forward to reading more of that.

List No.1 Books

Its a tradition on blog’s to have lists, like top-10-songs or films, best of year, holidays, favourite things to do at weekends, the list of lists is endless. I decided to start with books. I started reading a lot more during the past 10 years. I have lots of hours in airports and on planes while travelling with my work, so I read to pass the time in a constructive way. I also love to read on holiday or on a Sunday afternoon. I can’t put this list into an exact order of merit…that would be too hard, so its my “the-top-10-books-I-liked-most” list, from the ones I can remember just now anyway!

1 “White Teeth” by Zadie Smith
This is simply a great book, a story of family and relationships with a fascinating mixture of cultures, set in modern day London.
2 “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” by Mark Haddon
This is simply a must read for everyone on the whole planet, it’s a brilliant insight into the world as seen by an autistic boy. Its both sad and funny and compelling reading.
3 “High Fidelity” by Nick Hornby
This must be the book that made “lists” popular. Funny story about music and relationships with girls, a must for all the lads out there, just a shame the film version was crap.
4 “Tokyo” by Mo Hayder
This was the first of her books for me, interesting story and at the same time quite scary…if you like this one, read her other books, Bird Man and The Treatment, they are very scary police thrillers.
5 “Popular Music from Vittula” by Mikael Niemi
I think this will make you laugh, I did, I read it in Swedish, so I hope the translation is good. Story of a boy’s life in a small Swedish town and his rise to greater things.
6 “Angles and Demons” by Dan Brown
OK so there not classics, but I like this one best. A good story with lots of twists to keep you reading to the end.
7 “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien
The prologue to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, a lighter and funny story of a Hobit and his introduction to “the ring”.
8 "Star Man Jones" by Robert A. Heinlein
This one is in the list because I started reading Science Fiction as a boy and I think this was possibly the first real book I ever read. Enthralling story about travel in the stars.
9 “Kings of Albion” by Julian Rathbone
I love'd his mixture of east and west, set in the 1460’s, its funny and historical and un-predictable, all in the same book.
10 “A Long Way Down” by Nick Hornby
OK, so I have two by the same author! Well I just love his quick, sarcastic style and I read this book on holiday this year in Greece and laughed out loud many times. A very good read.

Let me know if you liked any of these too?

Saturday night’s thoughts…

Well its been a good day with a relaxing start…late up, breakfast, fixed some network stuff on my portable…than a long phone call with Caroline :) She’s not so keen to talk on the phone, but I love to hear her voice and just want her to bee here by my side. Can’t believe I’m so into this sometimes….but what can I do…I can sense she’s trying to squeeze down the phone line to be with me, and I want her to be here…now!

We exchanged some photos so I added one here. Its one of me that Caro has taken while she was here in my flat…its not bad. She has this group of friends like the Sex in the City gang and she’s been telling them all about us…wonder if they really think I’m a good idea for Caro? Hope so…and looking forward to meeting them…Caroline obviously likes them very much.

Well the day ended with a very good night out with Jonas and Pia. We went to see Jonas Gardell perform his one-man-show at the open air theatre on Söder. He was very good, then we went for a drink at the Thai Boat afterwards, it’s still very warm for Sweden and we sat out all night. Just got a nice sms from Caroline…something to go to sleep with :)

Good photo of my Triumph

Just collected some pictures from the developer that were taken during the course at the Gelleråsa race track. This is a good picture of my bike and from the best angle I think.I shall sort through them and perhaps post a few more later on. There were some pictures of Caroline on the same film, but I have to check if its ok to post them here before I do that. Had a very cool mail form her this afternoon...looking forward to next weeks visit :)
Well thank god its Friday...its been a long week. Looking forward to relaxing and sure to be out again on the Triumph at some time over the weekend. I was on it to work today and it feels just great after a week in the garage...wish I had the time to use it more often.

Busy week at work

It was cool to get a text message from Caroline…I like that…I was in a meeting at work when it arrived and I was very distracted by its content…makes me wonder what I am doing here in Sweden, when C is there in Cologne and I get the very distinct feeling she is longing for me. What a good feeling I have inside from such sms texts :)
Anyway I have had a very busy week with work and together with some customers visiting Sweden for a course. I have been out with them in Stockholm both yesterday and today. We were at two of Stockholm’s best restaurants, eating outside in these wonderful warm summer evenings that were experiencing at the moment, and although the customers and I had a good time and the food was great…I cant help thinking I would rather be there together with C. instead. Ignacio is my very good friend and customer from Spain, and he is one of the visitors this week and he is very good fun and understands me. He wishes me luck in my visit to see C next week. Its people like him that make me feel so fortunate to have a job like mine, where I am able to mix such varied work with socialising in this way. I am truly lucky and if I add all this to the knowledge that Caroline is thinking of me and I’m thinking of her…a lovely girl who seems to be very interested in me…then I feel very fortunate indeed.
I shall take my mc to work tomorrow…seems like ages since I used it (a week anyway)…can’t wait to give C a ride on the back of it. I promise to be so careful, so she can enjoy it. I’m hoping we can take a ride into the countryside and see some more of Sweden together.
Its late now, so I hope she’s already sleeping well.

I told C about the blog

Well I did it, I sent the text to Caroline to read. We were chatting on MSN and told her I had written all about our 1st weekend together. She wanted to read it, and I immediately wondered if I had done the right thing, perhaps she would think I was strange or out-of-order! I put the first day on my blog site and directed her to read it. She seemed delighted and wanted to read more. I sent her the next 3 days in an e-mail and waited. I was nervous, it was intimate stuff. She said she was lost for words, that she had never read about herself in this way before, in a real story about her, she liked it. I have since put most of it on the blog. Not sure I shall post the more intimate details yet. Have to think about that and be sure Caroline is OK with that too.
I shall write some more and try to document my feelings about this girl…its very therapeutic and I like doing it.
I had a nice mail from Caroline today. In it she wrote “its the first time that somebody is writing about me like that and it feels nearly indescribable. Some parts really fire my imagination :-) i'm thrilled!”
Comments like this make it all the more worth while to write.
We are trying to plan my visit to Köln next week. Its just luck I shall be there on business and get a chance to meet her again so soon. I shall also plan to visit her again soon for a long weekend if possible…that would be nice, to see where she lives; perhaps meet some of her friends.

Sunday

What a good morning... she’s so sensual, I just can’t stop touching her all over when I’m lying next to her. Running my hands across her smooth skin, across her back, down her arms and across her smooth flat tummy. Kissing her, gently biting her lips and touching her tongue with mine. Running my warm hand up her neck, fingers in between her hair, she arches her back, and she loves every minute of it.
Finally we get up and have fruit and yoghurt on the balcony. It’s even hotter today. Pack a picnic and take the car to a small bay near Saltsjöbaden. Swim in the sea and have our picnic there. Lie on the grass and talk about us and what happens to us next, how to move forward. We decide we want to meet again, that’s good. Drive home and Caroline packs her bag. We lie on the bed and hug and caress each other; neither of us wants to get up to go to the airport. We drive to Arlanda. It’s hard to let go of her. Now she’s gone, but I’m already planning to travel to Köln to see her again.

Saturday

Saturday
Get out of bed late again and have a late breakfast on the balcony. Sit and chat, listen to music, then a sandwich for lunch before we ride into town again. We ride in via Kungsholmen and stop at the town hall for a quick look, then to Gamlastan for an ice cream and then we watch the Pride Festival Parade. Walk around Gamlastan and have a coffee, then home for a drink and a shower. Take a taxi into town and eat out at a Lebanese restaurant, Sahara on Söder. We both like that too. Go to Södra Bar for a drink then take a taxi home and to bed.

Friday

Wake up, hold Caroline in my arms, and caress her body all over, she’s so sexy, its so hard to get out of bed. We have breakfast together, and then walk over to my friends to borrow a bicycle for Caroline to use. Then we ride into Stockholm. We have Sushi for lunch, that’s good, we both like Sushi. Ride to Skeppsholmen, one of the islands in town and lie in the park together. Take a coffee in Gamlastan, the old town and then ride home. We cook some pasta and eat on the balcony, a very romantic night and its so hot...then we go to bed.

Thursday with C

Thursday
I drove to the airport to collect Caroline, and then, there I was, standing in the arrival hall, wondering what to expect, wondering if she would recognise me, if I would recognise her! I was sure I had a good picture of her in my mind. But did it actually make any sense? To be here waiting for a girl I had only known for 7 hours in Greece a few weeks before. Was I absolutely mad? No, I was doing what I think I’m good at, following my instincts, wanting to meet that girl who had attracted me with her smile, fluttering eyes, her sexy dancing, and her obvious desire to be with me. I wanted to discover if Caroline was more than just a holiday romance. And then after a nervous wait, she was there, walking towards me, to meet me, and she looked so good, just as I had hoped and remembered.
An evening of listening of music, kissing, caressing, very late to bed, we slept together... just what I wanted to happen.

2 days on the track

Wow… a great two days on the track with Josip and Elis in Karlskoga with my mc. We put the two bikes into a van and drove to the track on Sunday afternoon. The two day course on Monday and Tuesday was such good fun. I had a good instructor and learnt loads of things about riding fast that I’ve never fully understood before. Loads about cornering techniques, steering, breaking points, looking ahead into the corner etc. I even rode round with my instructor on the back of my bike at speed, then him with me on the back. It was a little scary, but very useful, seeing where put the power on and how far the bike can go. Got my lap time to about 1:30, which isn’t so fast compared to the fast guys at Gelleråsa, but not bad after just 2 days there and 2nd visit to a track. I was happy anyway. Unfortunately Elis dropped his Kawasaki on Monday in the last session and scraped up one side. He was OK and the bike was still ok to ride so him and Josip still managed to ride on the Tuesday as well. Looking forward to doing another track like that again soon :)
Caroline has said she’s coming to Sweden on Thursday evening to stay for the weekend, great, cant wait to see her again.

Its raining!

Woke up to a whole lot of rain today :(
Had planned to have a picnic in the park with friends today, oh well, another day perhaps.
Time to start planning for two days on the track with my Triumph. Me, Josip and Elis are off to Gelleråsen, a track a few hundred km west of Stockholm. Were booked on a two day course...track techniques etc. Should be great fun. I was on Gotland last year on the new track there and that was f***ing fantastic, so I cant wait to do it again.
Josip crashed his bike on Gotland last week, now his nick name is stumpy! Lost a bit of a finger..Ouch. Anyway hes coming with us anyway and will share the other Kawasaki.
Just in case, here's a picture of the bikes. Josips is no more, but my yellow Triumph is running fine.

Not sure if C from Germany will come over to visit me next week. Hoping she lets me know this weekend. Looking forward to that and seeing her again.

Its been a hot week

Well its been a hot week in Stockholm, unusually so. Normally its warm in the day and cool in the evening, being so far north on this planet of ours, but this weeks been different. Its so nice to just sit out till late in an evening and enjoy:)
My sister Zöe and her friend came to stay last weekend and we went to the Stockholm Jazz Festival to see Sting. That was great, he was a good performer and played all his best songs...just how I remember them to be. Went with a group of friends and the evening was a real hit, I love Stockholm in the summer.
Was back to work this week, which was ok, not so many there, just loads of mail to read and some new projects to start planning for. Trips to Switzerland, Germany and England already looking good.

Nice evening ride on my mc

Just got back from a good evening ride on my mc with some friends. Its a Triumph TT600, which I've had for about a year now. Its great fun and goes like a rocket when you wind it up, which I do :)
We fixed a few things at a friends workshop first, then full speed back to town to wash them, then in to Stockholm for a bite to eat at a cafe. There are always loads of bikes out on Wednesday evenings in Stockholm and its a chance to meet friends and exchange bike gossip. Then a quick blast out to see some stunts etc, and then home to bed.

Day One - In the beginning...

...I had no idea what I should use this blogg for, so I decided to start and see what happened. In the beginning you just don't know do you?
Anyway, here goes and lets hope it gets better then this in any future entries.

I just got back from a two week holiday in Greece with my two girls...Island hopping as usual and it was really hot and good fun. We went to 3 different islands and had a good time. As usual, a few unexpected things happened...perhaps a little more about this later on.
Anyway, here I am back at home and thinking about what I should write about, want to write about or dare write about here!

Well you might be interested to know what I look like, so I added this little picture of me, taken today on my webcam. OK its not a great shot, but you try and do better with one of these little things!
I'm not very photogenic, at least I don't think so, but you get the general idea anyway. I'm in my kitchen and have my unshaven "holiday look" for now. We shall see how long that lasts.

Prolog In the very beginning…

(I added this entry on the 28th Feb 2007, as a reminder of how I met Caroline and the motivation to starting this blog )

The plan was to have a two week holiday in Greece with Hannah and Emma, relax together, read some books and visit some new places and islands. We took a flight to Athens and caught the first ferry we could out to the island of Naxos. We stayed there for a while, met some old Greek friends and then moved on to visit some new places, including Amorgos. In the last week we decided we wanted to go back to Anti-Paros, a small island we all had enjoyed so much in the past. So the three of us took the ferry to Paros and then the short bus ride to the other side of the island, where you can get the car ferry over to Anti-Paros. We easily find a big room with 3 beds that’s near to the small high street, which winds up the hill to the small town square. We spend our days on the beaches and swimming in the clear blue sea. Each evening we ate at one of the Taverna’s in the village and then made our way to the square for an evening drink, generally ending-up at my favourite bar “The Doors”. I’ve been going to this bar for many years and it’s nice to go back and see the owner, Thenasis, who is remembering me even though it’s a few years since I’ve been there. He’s had this bar for ages and the decoration hasn’t changed one bit, nor has the music, still a great mixture of the Stones, the Doors, Santana and other classic laid-back rock.

After two weeks of being almost permanently attached to me, Hannah and Emma decide that they want to go out themselves after dinner. They have seen another bar where some other good looking lads their age are hanging out, and they decide they want to be girls on the town alone and without dad. It’s our last evening in Greece and I walk up to the square, take a coffee and watch the passers by. Then I go to The Doors for a beer and sit outside and chat to Thenasis and his wife. As the evening moves on, I move into the bar and enjoy the music he’s playing. It’s not so busy this evening and people come and go. I talk to Thenasis and some guy at the bar and after a while, a girl comes in and sits on the opposite side of the bar and I notice her right away. I’m still chatting to this guy, but he’s a bit uninteresting and increasingly I’m more interested in looking at the girl at the bar than talking to him.

I decide I would like to talk to her and she seems very happy for me to join her, so I order us more beers and sit down next to her. We begin discussing our enjoyment of this bar and the music and immediately we find common ground. Thenasis is keeping an eye on us and offers us one of his special shots, on the house. She’s very pretty and I’m getting lots of interesting eye contact from her as our conversation moves on to what we’re doing in Greece and where we both come from. She’s called Caroline and comes from Germany and seems surprised I come from England but live in Sweden. I ask her for a dance and she says yes and we are dancing for most of the evening.
I walk her back to the campsite where she has her small tent. I must leave in just a few hours on a ferry back to Athens and home, so I ask her for her phone number and luckily for me, she gives it to me. At least I will have the chance to contact her again and perhaps, who knows, we might be able to meet again!