Living in Skövde

Almost 42.000 people sing agains racism in Oslo

2012-04-26T18:18:00.001+02:00

The song that Breiviks hate.

My Rainbow Race
by Pete Seeger

One blue sky above us
One ocean lapping all our shore
One earth so green and round
Who could ask for more
And because I love you
I'll give it one more try
To show my rainbow race
It's too soon to die.

Some folks want to be like an ostrich,
Bury their heads in the sand.
Some hope that plastic dreams
Can unclench all those greedy hands.
[Some hope to take the easy way:
Poisons, bombs. They think we need 'em.
Don't you know you can't kill all the unbelievers?
There's no shortcut to freedom.]

Go tell, go tell all the little children.
Tell all the mothers and fathers too.
Now's our last chance to learn to share
What's been given to me and you.

The Bishops Arms (part two)

2012-01-22T21:32:00.000+01:00

It was a little bit longer than five months ago when we visited "The Bishops Arms" for the first time and tried what they described as the American variation of fish 'n chips served according to the English tradition...

Well, five months later we though we'll give it one more try, and we felt brave enough to order their cod-fillet fish 'n chips served according to the English tradition, which as the chef enlightened us was made of haddock, and no we do not have one and the same word for both cod and haddock in Swedish. Cod is torsk while haddock is kolja, loud and clear.

Fish 'n chips at "The Bishops Arms"

The pub was almost empty from customers - it was just after four o'clock in the afternoon - but most of the tables were "reserved".

We ordered a pint of Erdinger Weissbier and a pint of Guinness, waited about eight minutes for the Guinness to be poured, thank-god-they're-not-busy, and sat at the back of the pub.

Here comes the haddock cod-fillet fish 'n chips served according the English tradition.

Looks delicious, doesn't it?
- Could we have some vinegar please?
- Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot it, my fault...
Back comes the chef herself with the vinegar.
What do you mean you cannot spot the vinegar in the photo? It is in this white bowl next to the slice of lemon, between the lemon and the basket of cod-fillet fish 'n chips made of haddock and served according to the English tradition....

I must confess I haven not visited UK for a long time, maybe things have changed, maybe they have changed the way they serve fish 'n chips too. Maybe nowadays you have to baptise your haddock into a bowl of vinegar blessing it to cod-fillet... Maybe the chips have to taste like fried old cloth...
I do understand. Things have changed since Maggie's was in power, but not to that extend! Has Tony and the rest deteriorated even fish 'n chips?
I by no means expected fish 'n chips to be served wrapped in "The Guardian", "The Mirror" or "The Sun", not when it's served in Skövde, Sweden, but I expected it to taste according to the English tradition as advertised on their website.

By the way, the best fish 'n chips in Sweden is served in Gotland at "Black Sheep Arms"!

To wash down the disappointment of the haddock cod-fillet fish 'n chips served according to the English tradition we order tow more pints, one of Guinness and one of Erdinger Weissbier.
The Guinness was served in the record time of less than two minutes (you can see it in the picture still settling) and surprise! You can have two slices of lemon with your pint of Erdinger, to compensate you for the... you know the cod-fillet et al.

Erdinger Weissbier served with lemon slice
@ "The Bishops Arms"

What on earth are the two slices of lemon doing in my Erdinger? Is the poor guy drinking Corona missing something?

And what about "The Bishop´s Arms välutbildade och kunniga personal..." in other words, "The Bishop's (they are a little bit undecided about whether to use or not the apostrophe but that's another story) Arms well-educated and proficient staff..." as advertised on their website? Where do they work?

Now let's see...

The minus.
- Guinness serving time varies from about eight to one and a half minutes.
- Speed of service is something you will not find here.
- A smile and a welcome, you will get only from the doorman and maybe from the personnel, if they don't have too many customers to serve and in the case of "The Bishops Arms" personnel "too many" means more that three. They do have time to smile between each other though. Nice to see people being happy with their job.
- Incompetent bar-staff.
- The sole cash register slows things to meditative levels.
- The huge variety of beer reminds of a bazaar rather than of a professional choice (no Alsatian beer, no monastery beer, unless they have it but don't know they do).

The plus
+ Low level of music.
+ No TV sets.
+ Huge variety of beer and malt whisky.
+ Right on the centre of the town.

We will certainly visit "The Bishops Arms" again but not during peak hours and we will certainly stay very far away from their cod-fillet fish 'n chips served according to the English tradition.

Thank you "The Bishop(')s Arms", but the stand up comedian is something I can definitely do without when visiting my local. Please don't destroy the pub's atmosphere!

I would like to clarify that I do not dislike haddock, which makes a delicious fish 'n chips plate (but it is not what they advertise at their website and menu, plus the fact it has a very high risk of being sourced from unsustainable fisheries).

The links of both the post about "The Bishops Arms" I have forwarded to the company's email. I believe it is only fair to let them know what some of us think about the pub in Skövde.

First Snow of the Winter

2011-12-06T11:38:00.001+01:00

Winter is officially here...

...and nature is dressed for the occasion.

The Bishops Arms (part one)

2011-08-27T15:00:00.000+02:00

According to "The Bishops Arms" web page, the first Pub was opened 1993 in Västerås and since then, more than 30 stores have been established, from Luleå at the north, to Malmö at the south of Sweden.

The concept, always according to their web pages, is to offer to the broad public the opportunity to meet and talk over a pint, in a nice English atmosphere (remember this for later).
The truth is that in spite of my plans, I never managed to visit any of the Bishops (or is it Bishop's?) Arms until lately.

The photo is taken from "The Bishops Arms" official site.

When the news that The Bishop's Arms were to open in Skövde - where outing is limited to few, without any personality and taste of music, mainstream bars and boring restaurants - reached the town, I was really thrilled.

With Facebook as source of information, I kept following the progress towards the day I could finally be able to visit "my local".
The long expected day came and it was the 16th of July 2011.

We were greeted at the door by a couple of doormen and we entered the temple of malt.
We didn't know that we had to order at the bar, but we did it out of habit.
After a not-so-short waiting to be served, we ordered two pints and two fish 'n chips - you cannot visit an English Pub and not try their fish 'n chips especially when you have read at their menu that "enligt engelsk tradition serverar vi panerad torskfilé med pommes och citrussås", which means "we serve coated with egg and breadcrumbs cod-fillet according to the English tradition".

We could already see the bottom of our pints when the food arrived, and there was certainly something fishy about those plates of fish 'n chips...
We wondered if we could be served two more pints, and the waitress was kind enough to make an exception and serve our drinks.
To the point.
The fish, which supposed to be cod-fillet coated with egg and breadcrumbs according to the English tradition, was definitely coated.
What was it coated with remains a question, since it was fried to a shade of distinct dark brown and desert with no oasis dry!
The so-called "cod-fillet coated with egg and breadcrumbs according to the English tradition", was fish-sticks looking like bits of a substance with a vague after-taste of... fish(?)

This time it was a waiter's time to come and collect our empty pint glasses and ask if the food tasted good.
I commented that it was not what we expected to be served when we ordered fish 'n chips "served according to the English tradition", but we were enlightened been told that what we had been served, it was the American variation of fish 'n chips - which is served in Bishop's Arms according to the English tradition!
At my comment "I thought there was something wrong with them" meaning the Americans and said with a smile, I got no response.

Did I mention they had no malt vinegar? :-)

Thank you Bishop's Arms, maybe next time we'll be more lucky...

Turn Left...

2011-05-24T21:24:00.000+02:00

A very useful "Turn Left" road sign, placed exactly were it should be!

From Assange to NATO, Sweden a voluntary vassal state of US

2011-02-14T11:09:00.000+01:00

A very interesting point of view indeed!

Jewels

2010-12-02T11:54:00.000+01:00

During a night of -18 our friends outside my window, opened their trunks and jewellery boxes and decorated themselves in the latest fashion.

Snow-white lace-work covers their leafless branches, and frosted pearls hang from their tiny twigs.

Perfection in simplicity.

First Sunday of Advent

2010-11-28T19:38:00.000+01:00

First Sunday of Advent today and the winter is here to stay.

The first Christmas decoration is in place and the snow keeps falling.

Today it is the eighth day of constant snowfall, and the small chaos created at some parts of Sweden, is getting bigger.

Watching the snow falling while enjoying a warm glass of glögg creates such a wonderful feeling!

Skål!

More snow

2010-11-25T17:25:00.000+01:00

Fourth day of non-stop snowing and the a small chaos has been created in some areas.
It looks like a rather harsh winter is on its way, with the temperature falling steadily few degrees every day.

Wild is the wind

2010-11-09T12:41:00.000+01:00

The first real winter day has dressed our town square in white.

The strong wind is washing violently happy the snow from the rooftops, and at the local hospital they are kept busy taking care of twisted legs and other seasonal... phenomena.

The time for a hot Lapsang cup of tea and cookies - and change to winter tires - has come!

Mosquito Bites: how to stop them from itching

2010-07-05T12:18:00.000+02:00

When worst come to worst, and the bloodthirsty mosquitoes have partied on your skin...

Be patient. Before doing any of this- remember, no matter what you do, the itch will not fully go away until the scab or sore has healed.

Thorough washing

Go inside and thoroughly wash the affected area with rubbing alcohol before anything else.
Pat dry (rub it).

Scotch tape

Put a piece of Scotch tape (or similar) onto the bite. Leaving it there will make the itch almost entirely go away.
After a few hours, remove it. This will help remove some of the toxins that cause the itch.

Bath

Take a nice, relaxing hot bath.

Fingernail

Use your fingernail to press "sunbursts" around the mosquito bite. This is a good method if the mosquito bite has popped.
Use your fingernail to press an "X" into the bite. This disperses the protein and stops the itch for a while.

Scalding

Dip a wash cloth into scalding hot water, but not so hot that it burns your skin.
Press the wet part of the cloth against the bite.
Hold it there until you feel the bite tingle.
Repeat once or twice. Your nerves will be confused and the itching will vanish for hours. The heat causes all the histamine (the protein used by the body to initiate immune responses, which include irritation and itching) in the skin surrounding the bite to be released at once.

Fluids and creams

Rub any of the following fluids and creams on it:

Baking soda and water paste
Lemon or lime. Cut into pieces and rub gently on the affected area, or just squirt a bit juice on it
Nail polish. Preferably clear and be sure that the bite is not raw from scratching
White or apple cider vinegar. Make sure it is not an open wound. Brush the vinegar on with your finger
Hydrocortisone cream
Antihistamine and water. Rub a little onto the bite and cover with a band aid
Vicks Vaporub. Keep applying Vicks to the area, especially if it rubs off
Aloe Vera
Saliva
Deodorant
Toothpaste

Oils

Melaleuca oil (also known as tea tree oil)
Lavender oil
Oil and vinegar

Water

Rub on with a cotton ball or q-tip.

Ice or cold water
Saltwater

Soap

Bar soap pieces

Other

Oatmeal
Mud
Banana peel. Rub it against the affected area.
Common Plantain. Either roll leaves of common plantain between fingers to extract juice, or chew on common plantain leaves a little bit, then rub the juicy leaf over mosquito bite. The itch goes away in less than a minute.
Put a bit of white vinegar on a tissue and press on the bite.

Spittle

Dab some spit onto your finger and rub it onto the bite. Then blow. This will cool the bite an stop the itching.

Calamine lotion

Put calamine lotion on it, then put a band aid or tape over it.

Rubber band

Take a rubber band and give yourself a "spider bite", or put two fingers in the rubber band, put the fingers on either side of the bite, pull the rubber band back and snap it on the bite. This will numb the nerves so it doesn't itch.(Not permanently!)

Ink

Draw a circle around the bite with a ballpoint pen. Sounds crazy, but it works.

Remember

It will eventually stop itching.
Dry skin may make you itch more, so, applying some protection lotion could help too.
See your pharmacist, who can help offer advice on the use of antihistamine.

Warnings

Do not pick the heads off of the bites as they will get infected.
If you feel you must scratch, try patting or (if it really itches,) slapping the area nstead. Dermatologists will verify that patting or slapping stimulates the same nerves without damaging the skin.
Whatever you do, don't scratch or rub your bites. This will make the itching worse

Good luck!

CNGVGSDBEGAH

Mosquito Bites: how to prevent them

2010-07-02T00:10:00.000+02:00

Have you been attacked by swarms of mosquitoes, while enjoying a magic sunset by a lake? If the answer is yes, then join the club...

I’ve found a big list of recommendations and home remedies for mosquito repellent suggestions. A few things to note first:

You pretty much have to stop breathing to not attract the attention of a mosquito, a big attractor for them is the carbon dioxide from your breathing.
It also seems mosquitoes are attracted by scents like perfumes, sweat, body odour as well as body heat. Unless you stop using shampoos, soaps, deodorants and detergents–it’s hard to be scent free.
From what I understand, DEET has proven to be the most effective mosquito repellent. DEET is pretty crazy stuff though, so if you’d like to try less harsh solutions, there are plenty of tips below for you to give a shot.

Something to keep in mind: Since some people seem to be a mosquito magnet while others around them don’t get a single bite, I have the suspicion that there could be a personal body chemistry factor involved. And that could explain why a remedy that works for one person, may not work for another.

I suspect that’s why some people swear by the Bounce sheet method, or the Avon Skin So Soft solution, while others have a different experience. Bounce nor the Avon SSS did a thing for me btw, but I did include them in the list below. I know a few people who SWEAR by them.

Basics for Mosquito Bite Prevention

Wear light coloured clothing, mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothes
Keep your body covered as much as possible (including wearing a hat), although mosquitoes can find their way through the fabric–it does cut down on bites

Mosquito Bite Prevention Home Remedies & Tips

Vanilla Extract: A few different recommendations for this one, each contradicting the other. Some say to dab Vanilla Extract on your pulse points, others say to rub it all over your skin & dab your clothes. Some say the cheap stuff is what you have to use, others say the real, pure Vanilla is the only thing that will work. Some say to apply it full strength, others say you can dilute it with water and spray it on. Play around with Vanilla to see what gives you best results–there are plenty of believers for this one as a mosquito deterrent so I think there’s something to it.
Garlic: This isn’t a favourite thing to do day-to-day, but if you’re going camping or hiking through heavily mosquito infested areas, try a garlic powder and water paste. Apply to pulse points, behind knees, on shoes and ankles and a dab or two on your cheeks or somewhere on your face and neck. Remember–keep out of eyes. And maybe stay out of public places too ;) .
Essential Oils: Mix choice of essential oils with rubbing alcohol, or witch hazel, or distilled water and spritz on body or directly on cloth to rub on body (shake before each use). Or add a few drops in baby oil or olive oil then rub on skin. You can also apply drops along a strip of fabric (cotton) and tie around wrist. Make sure to avoid mouth and eye areas when using essential oils.
Citronella oil
Lavender oil
Catnip oil
Eucalyptus oil
Pennyroyal oil (seems to be strongly recommended)
Tansy oil (seems to be strongly recommended)
Basil oil
Thyme oil
Cedar oil
Tea Tree oil
Peppermint oil
Lemon-grass oil

Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

Break off leaves and crush them roughly, rub them all over your clothes and skin. Toss the bruised leaves around the perimeter of your deck or patio. Also plant these in pots and arrange them around the patio. You could also infuse these in water and then use that as a spray.

Citronella
Lavender
Basil
Catnip
Pennyroyal
Tansy
Marigolds

Commercial Products That Repel Mosquitoes

Mygga (available at the Pharmacy)
Djungelolja (available at the Pharmacy and Super Markets)
Listerine (mixed 50/50 with household vinegar then sprayed all over body)
Vicks VapoRub
You can purchase citronella torches to stand in the ground or set on table tops

Household Hack

Spray garlic powder and water all over the yard and bushes. Use a fertilizer hose attachment. Will need to be done bi-weekly (approx) or after a heavy rain.

Items to Eat Daily

Apparently the smell that comes out of your pores from a steady diet of the below deters mosquitoes. The items aren’t meant to be combined, they’re just different suggestions.

Garlic
B1 Vitamins
Brewers Yeast
Lemons

The next post will be about Mosquito Bite Itch Relief

Longest day of the year

2010-06-21T23:41:00.000+02:00

Today it was the longest day of the year!
Sunrise 03:56
Sunset 22:15
This picture was taken without flash and only few minutes ago at 23:14.
The sun has set, but there is still plenty of light.
Midsummer is on the 26, but as per usual, all the festivities will take place on the eve.

Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland

2010-05-07T19:07:00.000+02:00

Scientists warn that Eyjafjallajökull - the volcano in Iceland that caused quite some problems recently - will erupt soon again.

There are at least three web cameras in the area, and with a bit of luck, you can have a good look at the smoking volcano. Depending on the weather conditions, how busy the server is and the maintenance status of the cameras, it can take up to several minutes before you can actually see something.

Here are the links.

Camera in Thorolfsfelli
Camera in Hvolsvelli
Camera in Valahnjuk

(The photo has been taken from http://www.hotelskogar.is)

Ale Möller Band concert

2010-02-24T19:24:00.000+01:00

Ale Möller Band will be performing at "Folkets Park" in Tidaholm. The time will be 16.00, March 27, 2010, the price 120 kr and the atmosphere full of ethnic and folk sounds. A "must" for all music lovers.

Tickets: Tourist office (Turistbyrå), Tidaholm.

Folkets Park is located in Egnahemsvägen by the exit towards Skövde.

Info: Östra Drottningvägen 3, 522 33 Tidaholm

Tel: 0502-606144

A wintertime visit at the site of Varnhem

2010-02-15T19:06:00.000+01:00

The Cistercian brothers built a monastery town in Varnhem in 1148 and at the end of 1200 the monastery church was the biggest sacred building in Sweden. During the reformations of the 1500s the monastery was closed down and the church abandoned. One hundred years later, Count Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie paid for a restoration of the church but the monastery was left to decay.

The impressive church is the burial place of long gone eras "celebrities", like the Eric royal family, the founder of Stockholm Birger Jal and of course the church's saviour, Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie and his wife, the Princess Maria Eufrosyne.

The sad traces of human activities were more than obvious during this visit to Varnhem monastery church site. All-over the area, many of the old trees were cut down and the signs of wheels of some monstrous track were apparent on the snow.

The stone cross of a grave that had survived the destruction of time, was torn down by careless and irresponsible humans in a split second.
What time, reformations and raids had not manage to destroy, was shuttered into pieces by the deeds of the 21st century civilised human.

2010-01-30T11:34:00.000+01:00

The sun is shining today in Skövde and the thermometer shows -14C.

Hot vegetable soup and freshly baked bread for dinner. Red wine and dried nuts for the evening.

First of the Year Walk

2010-01-01T18:36:00.000+01:00

It was almost noon when I woke up today, and the snow was falling quietly. Since I adore snowing, I thought it was a great opportunity to go for a walk.
Billingen was the destination and it seemed that half the population of Skövde had woken up with an urge to visit Billingen. Cross-country skiers were everywhere, just to make me feel jealous, while only few had chosen to ski down the slopes.

The temperature was about -12 C and the landscape, dressed in this beautiful white that only the nature knows how to produce and put on without making it "too much", was a joy to look at. This uncompromising beauty was broken every here and there by all kinds of rubbish, indicating that here, last night, humans had been celebrating the arrival of 2010. Empty bottles, cans and plastic bags were scattered in the snow, to remind us of how well balanced is our relation with the nature.

Nevertheless Billingen's inhabitants were posing proudly in front of the lens, dressed in their snow-white tunics.

The two lakes were of course frozen and the trails of deer could be seen on the fresh snow. It must have been snowing all night.

By the side of the path, the stream that used to talk to us non stop during our walks in the forest, was absolutely quiet. Massive crystals of unique shape had replaced the chattering waters, adding an extra touch to the tranquillity of the environment.

Living in Skövde is like living inside a Christmas card!

2009-12-18T01:09:00.000+01:00

The sunset brought a lot of snow to Skövde.

It is so very picturesque to look through the flurries, at jolly looking windows, decorated with Christmas ornaments.

You expect to hear Rudolf's bell and see Santa walking down the alley between the houses...

2009-12-17T11:43:00.000+01:00

The sunrise comes with -8C and clear skies. One more beautiful but very windy day in Skövde!
Tonight we expect even stronger winds and more snow.

2009-12-15T12:18:00.000+01:00

It has been snowing a little during the night. Right now it's +1C and it snows every now and then.

Let's hope it will do us a favour this year. It's so much nicer with snow during Christmas. Last year we had... green Christmas and it felt really weird!

2009-11-12T10:53:00.000+01:00

Last night, the first powder like snow, gently and soundlessly dressed the nature in white.

Ale Möller - Africana

2009-11-11T19:24:00.000+01:00

Fascinating, colourful and vibrant is only few of the adjectives that could describe Ale Möller's performance in Vara Konserthus, the night of Novenber 10, 2009 .

Along with the band members, Ale Möller (mandola, bouzouki, harmonica, flute accordion, composer, arranger), Mamadou Sene (singer, acrobat), Rafael Sida Huizar (Percussions) and Mats Öberg (keyboard, harmonica, vocals), played Ale Möller's guests from Senegal: Solo Cissokho (African harp), Mama Sadio (singer) and Ousman Ba (flute).
Solo Cissokho is a "griot" i.e. musician storyteller, from Senegal, who lives in Norway.
Ale Möller met Ousman Ba and Mama Sadio, during the Jazz Festival of Saint-Louis, Senegal in May earlier this year. Ousman Ba uses his voice while playing the flute, to produce an amazing mixture of tones.

The introduction was made by Ale Möller, but he never tried to play it leader of the band or to show off in any way. Both Solo Cissokho and Mamadou Sene took their chance to interact with the audience that was warm and ready to applause.

Mama Sadio's looked initially a bit shy, but by the end of the performance she even dared say "tack så mycket".

Jazz found its real roots during this extraordinary performance that lasted almost three hours.
By the end of the show, people were invited to join the dancing on the stage, while after the end of the show the entire band remained on stage conversing and shaking hands with the audience.
Mama Sadio looked really insecure and didn't know what to do when a pen and a paper was handed to her in order to sign an autograph!

The power of this band's music, as well as the simplicity of its members, sent the best of vibrations to everyone present, and it surely inscribed an unforgotten experience to all prepared to accept it...

Ale Möller is currently Artist in Residence at both Vara Concert Hall and Gävle Concert Hall, writing music for and creating new collaborations with the permanent ensembles of both concert halls.

2009-11-06T18:55:00.000+01:00

Naked trees waiting for their white winter overall, in a rainy and overcasted afternoon.

Israelis protest arrival of 'organ theft' journalist

2009-11-05T15:44:00.001+01:00

From "The Local: Sweden's News in English"

Dozens of Israeli protesters on Sunday expressed their anger at the arrival of controversial Swedish journalist Donald Boström, who accused Israeli soldiers of harvesting organs from dead Palestinians.

The protesters were waiting at the airport for the arrival of Boström, who is in Israel to attend a media conference in the southern city of Dimona on Monday.

Israel's Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom said he would boycott the conference to protest Boström's presence.

"I do not want to associate myself to the fact that a platform is offered to an enemy who publishes defamatory articles on Israel," Shalom told army radio.

Boström sparked outrage in Israel and a diplomatic spat with Sweden after he published an article in August in the popular Aftonbladet tabloid that alleged Israeli soldiers stole and sold body parts of dead Palestinians.

The newspaper later said the story lacked proof.

Israel has demanded that the Swedish government condemn the article that it has labelled an anti-Semitic "blood libel." Stockholm has refused, saying that to do so would violate the country's tradition of freedom of speech.

Gidon Adin, one of the conference organizers, defended the decision to invite Boström.

"He will for the first time have to explain in front of a hostile audience why he publishes defamatory articles on the basis of rumours," Adin told army radio.