Back in Sydney

May 9, 2013 By 5 Comments
Central Station, Sydney

"It's such a long way to Australia", people kept telling me as I travelled around Europe over the last two months. "It's only twenty-four hours in the plane, and I made it", I kept telling them. Having now arrived back in Sydney after what seems like days of travelling, I'm beginning to see their point. After the excitement of the ABBA Museum Opening on Monday night, the morning after headlines were very much about the non-appearance of Agnetha Fältskog. On the red/pink carpet, Frida took a … [Read more...]

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Stockholm Sunrise

May 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Stockholm Sunrise

I'd like to say I was "up early" to see the sunrise over Stockholm, but actually I was "out late". It all started early-ish on Sunday evening when I thought it might be fun to end the weekend with a dance at the Stockholm nightclub, Patricia. Patricia, by the way, is boat moored near Slussen. They have a restaurant, several bars, and a few dance floors. Every Sunday night they have a "gay night" where they play lots of terrific dance tunes. I've been several times before, and have always … [Read more...]

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Busy Day Indeed

May 4, 2013 By 1 Comment
Taco Truck pop up restaurant in Stockholm

"Hello, my name is Caroline", she said with a smile when I introduced myself as a visitor from Australia. She was genuinely surprised when I told her my friends and I watch Melodifestivalen and that's how I knew her work, and that I have her CD which features Swedish language cover versions of songs by Janis Joplin. I made my usual joke about speaking Swedish like a five year old, and she told me that's how she would also sum up her English language skills. It was such an unexpected pleasure … [Read more...]

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Celebrations in Stockholm

May 2, 2013 By 1 Comment
May Day speeches in the centre of Stockholm

As I made my way to the Royal Palace in Stockholm yesterday for the regular "changing of the guard", I knew something was different about this time. The crowds were much larger than the last time I'd been here, which I simply put down to the much warmer weather. As I looked around, I noticed there were also a number of television crews. As well as SVT, there were also crews from Norway and Germany. The Queen of Sweden has German heritage, so I thought it might have something to do with her. … [Read more...]

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Should Be In Sydney

May 2, 2013 By 3 Comments
QX Magazine profile on Newtown in Sydney

As I sat and waited to meet Sandra and Robert ahead of the Valborg celebration last night in Stockholm, I picked up a copy of the Swedish gay newspaper, QX. It's a magazine I read from time to time, as it usually has a fair bit of Swedish music news. For example, this month's edition features a track by track review of the new album by ABBA's Agnetha Fältskog. But what excited me most was noticing the big article on Newtown. Yes, Newtown in Sydney. Sydney, Australia to be absolutely … [Read more...]

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Valborg in Stockholm

May 1, 2013 By 3 Comments
Valborg bonfire in Stockholm

"I'm sorry, I'm a tourist, I can't understand you...", I said to a young bloke coming back on the train from Saltsjöbaden. As I recall, he'd gotten on the train about half way back to Slussen with a backpack over one shoulder, and a beer in his hand. On a couple of occasions he'd held up his beer, smiled over at me and mumbled something. When it came time to disembark, he said something again, and that's when I decided there was absolutely no way I would attempt a conversation in Swedish. In … [Read more...]

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