New Forest Show and a Marathon

My titles don't seem to be very mind blowing, albeit confusing at times. In this case, they are two distinct events.

We had complimentary New Forest tickets from Ringwood Brewery (guess what that meant?) on Tuesday 29th. Again, a complete new experience for myself and of course Johanna.

The next thing is a Marathon, the 2009 Stockholm marathon to be exact. Yes, we've both entered it, with Johanna probably thinking 'it sounded like a good idea at the time'.....

We're looking at training regimes and getting our footwear all sorted when we get back to Sweden. We have 10months or so to get on, bearing in mind we are pretty fit at the mo! (If I can do the New Forest half marathon with no training in 1hr 49mins, then theres always hope) Will keep you posted on how things are going. Why are we doing it? Well the charity thing doesn't happen in Sweden, it's definitely pride and to say, well 'I've run a marathon' is to me a great thing. While we are young right?

Ok, just a little note on the show. Firstly, being VIP's we needed to dress up, check out how beautiful my lady is:

Note the cider, haha. Secondly, I just want to tell you how much was on display there!! From cattle shows, to wood-chopping, from flower shows to horse parades, it had a lot of classically British things. Lots of local foods, animals, gifts.....too much to summarize, but again I'm very glad I went: Considering it has 100,000 peope visit it in 3 days, it must be worth something. We had free food and drink all day (no we didn't get slaughtered), had a laugh and probably the biggest thing-we went on a SouthWest train, haha. It was on time and didn't de-rail. Again, another day of firsts- I definitely think despite my harsh criticism of this place, we are making the most of it. Just 2.5 weeks until Ireland, then on to Sverige...yey!

For some inspiration, check out this little video;

Levi

Levi, no not a pair of jeans, but my Godmothers mothers labrador. A soppy excuse for a mean hunting dog, no fear, complete obedience......haha, not quite.

I don't know the history or reasoning behind the name, regardless, we've been walking him for a bit whilst the owner is on holiday. There's no story here, just a video of our doggy friend.

Meet Your Navy

Before anyone questions sexuality or thinks I'm talking about the Village People, you are unfortunately wrong.

In Portsmouth, down by the boat yard, there was a rather large collaboration of current Naval vessels and a whole host of Navy related things. Now, I'm not a huge fan of all this sea going stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love the sea, boats etc, but just the armed forces doesn't hugely interest me.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to be honest. I love the history of the old ships there. We had a good old look onboard H.M.S. Warrior, Argyll and a couple of others. We saw the old Mary Rose, all sprayed up (similar technology for conserving as the Vasa in Stockholm) and really enjoyed the day, despite the sailors all dressed up (Ok, just kidding).

Interestingly, or not so, after we popped next door to Gunwharf Quays- a modern shopping centre, based to me, on a very American design. All outlet shops at not quite US prices, but a neat place really.

For those who don't know, I was very in to my mountain bike trials riding. Due to knee problems, time, other interests etc, I don't really do much now, but by coincidence, there was the Animal bike tour- basically 2 blokes including Martin Ashton whos a quality trials rider and his dirt jumper mate, which seems to change from time to time.

So another little surprise was to find them set up in the shopping mall. I can't begin to explain how good these guys are, but just to give you a little insight, check out this video:

So just a word of warning, more just to keep an open mind. I wasn't expecting much from a load of sailors and boats, but as it turns out, the thought of blowing planes from skies, shooting a few badies and jumping on metal frames with a bike never felt so good.

The Summer

Interestingly, the title suggests I've already experienced the whole of Summer and by the looks of things outside (I've got the lights turned on because it's so dark: note 10.15am) I have.

Despite my recent outbreaks of negativity towards this place (totally just I feel), we did have a good old trek the other day (in one of the three days of Summer). For those that don't know, Google Earth is a pretty neat tool. Using this gem we traced our footsteps to see how far we'd actually walked.

Turns out, we walked just over 20km (12 miles ish) in the searing heat; passed all the ridicuously expensive houses at Sandbanks, over the ferry and onwards........onwards passed the naturist section of Knowle beach. I think Johanna was actually quite shocked- My thoughts were 'I've never seen so many penises' but even my innocent Swede (who should be used to the vast amounts of porn produced from her country (true you know)) couldn't help but stare at times.

It wasn't the fact that 99% of the people there were on their death beds, wrinkly and browner than a chocolate bar. Probably more the things they were doing: Throwing balls with those dog chuckers in the buff, playing volleyball, just standing there having a stare with folded arms. What else? Probably the bizarrest things was some people who were just wearing T-shirts, yep no shorts....quite weird. I know it's all natural and there shouldn't be anything to hide, but may be some should cover up- I mean England isn't renowned for having fit athletic bodies, but if you're comfortable with yourself, who am I to say any different.

Luckily Johanna didn't have the urge to take some pics either- thank God.

So after our penis mission we set back off.....all sweaty, not inspired to get naked ever again and ever so thirsty. All in all, a good 'little' stroll. If you're going to do it- do it properly.

Monkey World

Well yes, exactly as it says on the tin. We went to Monkey World, a place that I havent been to since (hazarding a guess here) I was 10 years old or so. You're probably wondering what was at Monkey World aren't you? Well there were a lot of northern Monkeys, gibbons, capuchian monkeys, chimps, orangutans and that type of thing.

We ended up buying our new friend, Gunnar the gibbon....as you can see.

As we are going to Ireland, we thought we'd get in the mood: no not dress up in green, put on silly hats, getting absolutely hammered pretending it's St. Paddys day: I mean have a few Guinnesses.

Considering Johanna (or myself really) hasn't had a proper pint of the black stuff, we cracked a couple open and savoured the flavour.

The verdict: Johanna's words 'I feel a bit manly', but there's a smile on her face.

Another first then: Monkey World, Guinness and finally a good old fashioned Vindaloo. Now I have to admit I didn't cope overly well with this one: I was sweating a wee bit under my eyes!! Kinda looking like I'd done an hour or 12 of exercise, followed by a few rounds with Mike Tyson. Nonetheless I got through it: did actually enjoy it (between the tears and pain) too.

Now my farts stink worse than a sewage plant and I own a gibbon called Gunnar: all in all a truelly diverse day, bit of monkey, India and Ireland.

I hate this country

Well no matter what I say to myself, trying to convince even the smallest part of my brain that this place has something more than beer, traffic, knives and obesity to offer: I struggle.

The last post was about as good as it gets, I mean the scenery, the sea, the coast, you know.

But to be brutally honest, this place is a dive. It was only last night, after Johanna finished work and went to cycle home, that she couldn't: not by her choice but from some drunk, chav of an idiot had decided to kick in the back wheel.....nice one c**k.

It feels like I'm writing this as some complete defining moment as to why I hate this country, but it's just the icing on the cake.

Okay, I've got my education and life from this place, so what am I moaning for? But once you've seen a glimpse of what's out there, beyond this conjested, heartless place you know straight away that this isn't for me.

A happy post, erm may be not. The words 'I can't be arsed' more than summarizes my feelings here. Home is definitely where the heart is (as they say?!) and my heart is definitely not in this poor excuse of an apparently once great country. Harsh words? May be, but at least I'm doing something about it and getting on with my life: not what most people seem to be doing over here.

Trevor McDoogal and Lina lobster

Although now a few days in the past, Lina (a good friend of Johannas) graced us with her presence last weekend! Now leading up to this most majestic of events, we thought due to the old weather report, yes Lina will get a real taste of England: rain, clouds and more rain.

This was not to be, namely because she brought a little taste of Sverige Sumer with her. Before her arrival we sat down and thought what can we do to give her a taste of this place, bearing in mind we had 2 days. Now normally in my state of mind regarding England, I would have called the pilot of the plane, tell him I'll slip him a fiver (its only Ryanair, so thats about 3 times what they are getting paid) if he turns the plane around as not not destroy Linas faith in mankind after visiting this lovely place.

As it turns out, I didn't do that. Instead after camping out in my Dads living room, we set out and did a few things to give her a glimpse of what arguably the nicest features England has to offer: (in no particular order) over to Chapmans Pool, Corfe, Pub lunch looking over Corfe Castle, walk the dog, in to Bournemouth, M & S (plus Percy pigs), coffee (for her to feel at home), Old Harry Rocks, monster Tesco visit, couple of Ales, watched the sunset and job done.

I know me and J enjoyed our time with her (how can you say that without sounding dodgy?!), but you know what I mean. To just clarify she is called Lina lobster because we got burnt, especially Lina (yes we do occasionally have sun over here: think she was surprised at that one).

One thing from her coming and going I do miss, as she reminded me from just....well turning up is Sweden: Again, probably because of the negativity of my thoughts about England doesnt help. But my genuine feelings miss our own space, the atmosphere, the lack of traffic and hustle. Peoples first reaction to saying oh I'm over in Sweden is 'oh it's really expensive'. Well actually considering 99% of people saying this havent been there, no it's bloody not. English people should look around, despite a drop in house prices, they are still totally unaffordable, fuel prices, general living costs, the full works.

Although not massively cheaper, houses and renting are less expensive, fuel prices are less, public transport cheaper. Alcohol I thought was more expensive, but actually going and buying it over here, the difference isn't actually very big. Again, you don't live off alcohol, so who cares anyway.

Besides I'd pay more to stay away from here anyway! (Even if that was the case). So Lina lobster, we shall see you soon, only got 6.5 weeks or so left......can't wait.

Squash Ranking

Well I'm not sure why I looked it up, but I checked out my ranking points from the Roslagen tournament at the end of the squash season in May. Turns out just playing in that and getting to the final has ranked me 170th in Sweden, haha. Now that sounds lame, and is by all accounts, but for only one tournament I can live with that. The guy I lost to in the final is ranked in the 70's, but if I wasn't bolloxed, I honestly would have wiped the floor with him. To lose 11-6, 11-9, 11-9 when totally done isn't a bad result. Just wait and see, top 100 next, aiming for top 50 at end of next season could be a realistic target (depending on how many tournaments I can play in).

One thing which I'd give my left nut for is to play against Stefan Edberg, who is ranked around 50 I think. To say I've beaten a 6 time Gran Slam winner would look good on the old CV!!