Yowtaboy!

They call Goteburg Little London and I get it. Failed pubs in the UK have been ripped out, shipped and installed here. Walk through the doors and it could be London, or occasionally Manchester. English pub culture is fashionable. The even have Angram hand pumps and good English beer shipped across the North Sea. £7 a pint (and it is often a pint) is a reality check though. Welcome to Swedish beer prices.

The gang got together Saturday night. Anders and Maria hosted the pre dinner drinks party at their place, then two car loads, new girlfriends, baby et al, to the park for al fresco dining. Once the sun comes out in Gothenburg in the Spring, the Swedes stay out  doors as long as possible. Outside areas at restaurants and bars have brightly coloured blankets draped over the backs of the chairs, and by 8 o'clock we are using them, as does everyone else. Back at Anders and maria's place to finish the night off, and it sort of got away from us a little. Sunday morning was slow...........

......But not slow enough to prevent the "hair of the dog that bit you" beer from turning into a Yotaboy pub crawl. Did we see the city in the tourist quarter? Of course we did. The pubs have windows! Just to give you some idea of how hard it is for a Brit to get his head around Swedish language, Yowtaboy is my frenetic spelling of Goteburg, according to how it is said. Would you have guessed that from "Goteburg"? I struggle.

Monday was a lazy day but the three of us did get out to a local castle. Dark, chilly weather around the kitchen and cottage gardens, and into the coffee shop with heart warming aromas. The Scandinavians really do pastries and cakes, and the coffee was good. I don't often drink it. It's generally too strong for me. This was good, and OK, if you see what I mean.

Anders drove me to Landvetter airport. I offered my hand, but I got a bear hug. "Swedish way please", the big guy said. I made my way to check in for BMI's inaugural flight to Birmingham. I am crossing paths with my friend Graham from England, who is flying in for a training course. Bizarrely it is Coventry that we will link up next week. We just couldn't make a Goteburg meet up happen.

We got the works. BMI laid on champagne and cake. The press snapped away. Brass made nice speeches and cut ribbons, cameras clicked, and this first flight left on time, with a positively party atmosphere. I thoroughly recommend this Birmingham - Goteburg service which is pitched above budget airline and below regular big carriers. It costs maybe £10 more for the ticket than their budget rival, but hold luggage and on board refreshments are included, and some changes are allowed even on the cheapest ticket.

Pick up by Allan and Sue went like clockwork. I couldn't get them on the phone, but know them well enough to know that means they are already on their way. Arrival at my English house felt strange indeed, but tomorrow is another day.