What Happened

9 weeks. Where to begin.

My English house is let and the revenue stream established to fund this adventure. Months of security ahead is not to be sniffed at. It was a slog to get it ready. By the time I came away. I was glad of the 26 hours enforced rest on the container ship I now use to cross the North Sea. Lets do that one! A cabin, a mess room with a well stocked fridge, Quality English tea for the handful of British drivers making the journey with their cargo's. A telly and DVD player, and hot food the same as the crews, twice a day. The invite to view the bridge got a big thumbs up. The bridge of a container ship is absolutely awesome. What a place for a driver at rest to spend a quiet moment or two.

Inflygningfest: I delivered the housewarming party. 33 people, 4 nationalities, having an English garden party, complete with Pimms, canapes, and Crockett. Then the style switched for the evening, and wild boar stakes from the grill. English IPA to wash it all down with. We drank the barrel dry. Thanks to all who celebrated with me. It was an absolute blast. One thing not at all English was that the sun shone all afternoon. Special thanks to Aki and Bo for their help.

Tandstikstraffen: VMCK Jonkoping. The big motorcycle meeting. 700 bikers, rock music, hot dogs and burgers, and a very large grill to man. VMCK is my adopted home. VMCK are professional in what they deliver. A well polished operation. Everything in its place, and everyone at their station, me included as the new guy. I worked the grills slinging out pork steaks like they were hot, which they were! Other than that too many shifts to count, mostly as a porter or runner. Language problem makes me a little like Manuel from Faulty Towers. I will improve with practise.

Elsa:...Will not be Swedish, ever. Sad story for the great big red motorcycle that took me to Nordkapp and back. I started to re-register her Swedish. She failed the inspection. The headlights have to be changed since hers point to the left. The bill, £1000. The dials are in MPH and KPH, but sickeningly only MPH are illuminated. Another £1000. She is dead in the water! Solution? Not yet apart from the obvious. I have to sell her in England, and I need a motorcycle for next season. I'll work the logistics out, but right now I can't handle everything on my plate with this relocation. Elsa got put to the back of the workshop. Our riding season is over. So sad. In a fanciful mood I also imagine Satnav Jane holding her breath because where Elsa goes, she takes Jane. Jane is a BMW Motorad model. My companions are not having a good time just now.

Only Darwin the tough little VW Polo is happy. These twisty forest roads suit him. Right hand drive allows him to hug the verges as the lumber trucks steam around the corners in the middle of the road. Darwin wants a set of big f*** **f Moose lights for his fender. Even my car is trying to go native. Darwin will also never be Swedish but the good news is I can get generic European insurance for him. Actually, I might check out whether I can get that for Elsa. Run her on UK plates a while longer.

That was a quick one. We are up to date. Sorry much detail got lost in the black hole.