The Hilarity of Gregory!

A little over a week we had a new addition to the little family here in Sweden. A very special addition, his name is Gregory! [instagram photo] He is awesome! We stumbled across him in a local store and I just fell in love at first sight. Since he has been home he has spent lots of time just chilling in his new surroundings, but as of just a few days ago, he showed us just how comfortable he was by showing up in random places!

The first instance was on my bedside table! [instagram photo]

Next he was on the bathroom bin..

Emma had the joy of discovering him here, while she was on the loo. Is our new darling a bit of a pervert? It only seems right with that sinister face of his!

This morning I found him in the fridge..

I hope he wasn't the one who drunk all that homemade lemonade!

I am sure over the months we are going to find the little rascal in all sorts of random spots! Oh, the hilarity of Gregory. This expanding family of mine just keeps getting more and more awesome! So far, he and EuroDuck have not met.. I wondering if a fight might ensue... or love at first sight. Only time will tell.

For extra instagram photos of Gregory in all his different places.. [link] 

Hovdala Castle.

On Saturday, the parentals bundled us up and took us to Hovdala Castle for lunch. (I just have to give the link to the wiki page for Hovdala Castle, coz it was too funny with how much info it had. [link])

They have a lovely buffet there, a pretty good selection of food, not a large array of meats and with loads of different salads, some hits, some misses but there is definitely something for everyone. I didn't eat all that much, once I had the potato salad that looked like it didn't have much dill in it but was in fact strong tasting of dill.. for me at least, I wasn't really able to stomach too much more. It just took me back to the Thursday night in Stockholm. Dill is just as strong coming up as it is going down. All in all it was a lovely lunch and I would be happy to go there again, especially with a better behaved stomach and appetite.

After lunch we headed upstairs to check out the little exhibition they had going of old school.. like old school old school porcelain and stuffs like that. A couple of things peaked my interest, at first I thought my swedish was really bad, but it did in fact say that the hard thing was a pillow. Still don't actually know what it would be a pillow for coz the angle would not be good for objects.. and you would think that the hard factor would not be good for heads and necks but it was on the right angle for such things. Another thing that got me was the peacock knife holder.. I would totally rock that in my kitchen! LOL

Now I am left wondering why on earth I didn't take any photos of these things? I guess the knob in me totally won.

We headed outside and came across a horse and carriage! But this one had something special, a bubba horse tied up close to its mumma! Adorable! The bubba horse was so fluffy and made me feel like it was from the 80's! I just wanted to snuggle.. but alas, there was no touching!

We continued onto the garden for a nosy about. Emma took photos of little creatures on plants. [instagram photo] She also took this stunning photo! [instagram photo] Emma's brother, who was also there ate some of the produce. Boys aye? Emma's dad was a good little tour guide. I swear he should do that now he is retired.

As we made our way to the garden we actually stumbled across a bunch of people doing a dig for old stuffs! Awesome! I do enjoy that kind of thing.. but the closest I have ever gotten to even doing anything like it was playing in a sandpit. Also, watching it on tv.

We moved on towards the tower, and while we were inside one section a guy with big ears and top hat poked his head in, said something and then went back out.. it all happened so fast and then he proceeded to read from his big book to the small crowd that was around. I am n ot overly sure what it was all about but it was definitely amusing and ace. I mean don't you wish you had seen this for yourself?

It was time to leave and off we toddled, towards the car there was a nice big paddock with a bunch of sheep. Yes, me being the kiwi I am, stopped and snapped a few pics.. this sheep however, cracked me up the most. Best face ever! Love it!

It was a lovely afternoon out with family, the weather was nice. You really couldn't fault anything... apart of the dill. Sometimes a nice afternoon at a castle for lunch, with a stroll around the grounds is just what the doctor ordered.

There's Something About Nemo!

Hello, mah name is Nemo.
I am rocking an early morning moustache for mah trip to Stockholm.
It's very early and I could do with some more sleep! 

The train was so much fun but I slept for most of it at the feets of mah mummies.
Oooo smells good! But I was glad to get some fresh air once we arrived.
I even decided I would attempt to chase that seagull over there.
Sadly, it just flew away and all I could do was look on and look pretty.
I guess you can say I modelled through it.

Moving on from the seagull, we all headed off to watch the changing of the guard.
As you can tell, I am rather short so it didn't go so goodly.
At least these were all new peoples so I just watched them.
It is more exciting than it sounds but then I got to meet the Goats and that was great!

I had a pretty relaxing night in the hotel but a bit nervous being in new surroundings.
I didn't have the best sleep and let's be honest, I am not really a morning dog anyway.
I always look like I have been out all night sniffing the good stuff.

Mah mummies and I headed off into the land of great smells!
We headed off through the gates of peacefulness, where I got to do some, sniffing, walking, panting, pulling and even herding of mah feathered friends. It was lots of fun. It was very hot and so mah tongue spent more time hanging out!

Shitty mummy put me up here to pose with this dude, while she hid behind..
I didn't behave and jumped down the first time, so she had to keep her head poked out to make sure I didn't do it again. I am such a little devil.

We headed out towards some water.
I love water and all I wanted to do was jump in!
I wasn't allowed though, such mean mummies I have.
I grabbed the chance to hang out in the shade.. did I mention it was hot?

Next stop! Town! Where I got to be all tourist like and pose.
I would have preferred to keep my nose down and inhale the goodness.

Shitty mummy once again putting me on stuff and then hiding.
Sometimes I wonder what that woman is on.
Isn't Stockholm pretty?

Oh my goodness. I really have no words. Shitty mummy is SO embarrassing.

My early evening was spent with mah mummies down by some more water.
It didn't matter how reasonable I was being.. they just wouldn't let me go in for a dip.
Is this not the face of reason?
Instead, they took me back to the room and I just dreamt of swimming.
It wasn't so bad, I prolly would have been too tired to swim with all the walking I had done.

Another day.. another walkfest!
We walked over a bridge, I saw another little doggy.. they didn't want to say hello, but I couldn't help by chuckle at their mummy coz she had ice cream all over her face! That old lady in red was wearing more of the ice cream I reckon, I considered offering to lick it off..
but that would be weird. I do love ice cream though.
Shitty mummy gave me some of her ice block so that was good enough.

It's another hot day.. as you can see by mah tongue!!
I am having a ball in Stockholm, I would love to come back.
There is SO much water.

I even managed to get mah art in and checked out this crazy colourful thing.
Rolling on the grass is something I miss doing, apartment living makes grass a novelty and mah mummies aren't much for letting me roll in dirty areas, I think I was allowed this time coz it was holiday time. Which is awesome!
Don't get me wrong, they let me roll at home on mah brown rug. I love mah brown rug.
Mah mummies were very good at keeping me hydrated, even if I would turn mah nose up at it coz I wanted to keep on going. Water is delicious to drink and swim in!

I even managed to get in a little sunbathing..
not that I need more colour, lets face it I'm dark enough.

It was home-time and so I got to sit at the train station, It was a very happy time for me. I loved it in Stockholm, I smiled lots but I was happy to get going home,  happy to be going on a train. I do love going on trains, I fell in love on a train once, a few years ago.. with a rotti, she was beautiful. We would have been magic together.
You know it. I know it. Tom Jones know it. 

Mah life rocks!

Disclaimer: All words are Nemo's own, just translated in a more readable language for you and tidied up. Also removed all the " "ooo shiny" "oooo drink" "ooooo candy" *zonk*- "sleeping now" " moments during translation.

Cock-a-doodle-do!

Our final morning! We lounged around in the hotel room until it was check out time. Had breakfast and watched tv, snoozed a little.. just really chilled out. Check out time arrived, we left our luggage at 'reception' and then headed off on our merry way for a little last look around the joint. It wasn't long before we found something rather unexpected.. they played music as they marched to the Royal Palace. 

We followed them for a little bit, there was one guy biking along behind them. I especially love the mother and daughter camped out in the back of their car just watching as they passed. So laid back. So awesome.

I think this has to be my favourite statue that I saw there..

We wandered around for a couple of hours, down by the boats and even saw an old torpedo factory! Ace!

Then grabbed some sushi again before grabbing our luggage and heading off to the train station where we people watched while having a maccas milkshake.. even Nemo got to have some strawberry milkshake goodness! Spoilt!
& that concludes our time in Stockholm.

The train ride home wasn't as easy as the one there.. given I didn't get to sleep the first 2 hours. I got maybe 20mins sleep and the rest of the time I was awake listening to the sounds of very awake passengers. Screaming kids and the like. Emma started watching some Olympics on her phone, it was all rather amusing! Run you little ants! Run!

It was another beautiful day while we were in Stockholm and by the time we arrived in Hässleholm it was dark, grey, rainy, miserable. Welcome home. It was good to be home though, I had missed my own bed and my own pillow.. oh yes my glorious pillow. If it wasn't so large I would totally take it on holiday, but its memory foam so it is not very compact. That is something that surprises me about just about every hotel I have ever been in.. they have those stupid pillows that give no support.. soft they might be, but worthless they really are. 

So that concludes my week away, London and Stockholm was a complete success! I really enjoyed everything.. even the blisters and puking! hahaha I guess you are wondering why Nemo hasn't been featured much in the Stockholm entries.. well that would be because I am going to do his own special one! He is a special boy so he deserves a special entry.. just like EuroDuck. I will say this though, he was like a rockstar! Everyone wanted to pat him and if they didn't have the balls to come up and ask, then they just stared like he was Bon Jovi from back in the day.. you know with the boofy hair.

All the entries in one place..

 London - Day 1

It's Paddington!

I Forgot My Cape!

Nando's In Da House!

No PB m&m's! What The?!

Late Night Snack!

 London - Day 2

In The Eye Of London!

YUK! Ice Cream!

Bananaaaaaa!

 London - Day 3

Hey Lady!

Worn Out!

Clutch!

 London Bonus

Mandevilles & Wenlocks!

 Stockholm - Day 1

Forgotten Something?

Hot Air!

 Stockholm - Day 2

Rockstar Hair!

 Stockholm - Day 3

You're looking at it!

 Stockholm Bonus

There's Something About Nemo!

Extra instagram photos.. [London link] and [Stockholm link]

Rockstar Hair!

Emma and Nemo let me sleep in a little.. just what I needed to recover a little more before trying to head down to breakfast to stomach a little something something.. the breakfast spread, as I said before is just right. Fruit, breads, cheese, meats, yoghurt, muesli and boiled eggs.. oh and of course cinnamon rolls, after all we are in Sweden and I swear cinnamon rolls are what really fuels a Swede. Even I have become a fan of the cinnamon roll.. which is a feat coz I am not a big fan of cinnamon. We enjoyed some breaky, I kept mine simple, no dairy.. you know just in case it set me off again. We headed up after breakfast with a little extra watermelon for Nemo.. [instagram photo] He seemed to be off his food with the travelling.. mind you he would eat anything that we would eat, I guess he just wanted holiday food while on holiday? lol

After lounging around a little more we decided it was time to brave the day and off we toddled into the big brave world.. it was another beautiful day. Upon leaving and in the first photo, Emma manages to get the coolest hair stylez.. 

I really love this photo, it really shows what Stockholm is.. lots of water, a good amount of greenery and awesome buildings. So far I am really liking this place. We walked all over the place, its easier with a dog to just walk, and seeing as I wasn't 100%, I just wanted to take things slow and easy.. with no risk.

We have gotten very lucky with the weather all week.. first in London it was stunning and now in Stockholm it was just as stunning.. blue skies galore! Off for a stroll we went.. through the gates of peacefulness..

Once through the gates we came across many things, like a little field mouse that scooted across the path in front of us to hang by a stump.. so cute!

Swallows! Emma spent lots of time trying to take good photos of flying swallows, which gave me the perfect chance to sit back and rest in the shade. It was a hot hot day! We saw a rather large garden with many things in it including artichokes! I can honestly say I had never seen one growing in real life and now I can say I have seen it. It totally looks like a weed. lol We saw a windmill, not that it was working.. which is always sad, coz I do love me a windmill. We saw art.. colourful art.. and even this, which I call a cold embrace, Swedes love some nakedness!

We stumbled across some swans, that had baby swans! and wow those things are mean! The parentals that is, not the babies.. they are cute and fluffy and just ignore you but as you can see in this photo.. parental swan was ready to attack!  I swear it was going to charge me like it was a bull! I wasn't even wearing red! Gosh!

Emma got me an ice block to cool me off and we headed back to the hotel, after picking up some sushi for lunch too. We hung out and relaxed a little in the room before heading out again.. this time through town where I decided that this lion looked like the perfect spot to have a rest.

Then Em and I got our tourist on and took a happy family snap!

We were heading down by the.. some water just to sit and watch, and chat. Nemo cried coz he wanted in the water. It is what he does after all! Of course, Emma tried to soothe him and gave him some loves.. which only works for so long. While sitting there a couple of dudes on advertising bikes came past and all I could think was.. I WANT ONE! I would totally rock out a bike like that.. except I don't want the advertising thing, I want a little area to cage Nemo in, I say cage coz if he could jump off he bloody would. But seriously.. how awesome are these?

We headed back to the room to drop Nemo off and then pissed off down to the bar to have a drink and a burger before the opening ceremony would start.. upon arriving back to the room after dinner, we found Nemo zonked out! Poor little tucker! Adorable!

I feel asleep before the opening ceremony started, woke up during the part where all the countries come out and watched that for a bit before falling asleep again before they lit the torch. Yes, I woke up for the 'boring' part. I am THAT awesome.

Hot Air!

Once I woke up from my little nanna nap, Emma and I headed out to Fotografiska to check out some art, and enjoy some food with a view..

 

They had lots of photos from previous Olympics of some good moments. It was rather interesting.

We skipped that part that had decaying bodies.. you know coz we were gonna have something to eat.. however there was one part of the decaying bodies we did catch and I could have sworn it was a photo of Voldemort. True story.

Once we walked around and looked at everything... err nearly everything we headed to the cafe with a view. We grabbed a couple of drinks first, my iced latte was umm.. watery which was annoying but you get that on the big jobs.. we sat on the couch and looked out the window, many seagulls were flying right past the window.. it was awesome! 

I actually saw more gulls at that window than I did up high in the London Eye.

We saw hot air balloons heading off for little adventures.. one day I would like to give it a go.. Emma is not so keen so I have some work to do on her before I can do that. 

We gobbled up our dinner.. it was really really nice. The relaxed feeling combined with the view just made for a lovely meal..

I could have spent all night up there just enjoying the view and sipping on drinks.. but alas, these things have to close and so we departed and headed back to the hotel, not before grabbing a shot of the sunset..

Once in the hotel room we freshened up and jumped in bed and watched tv until we nodded off. Around midnight, Nemo was moving around feeling a little lost.. the first night is always the hardest and he woke us up.. which I then had a sudden and overwhelming urge to throw up and throw up I did. The powerful kind. Yeah nice on holiday.. I was bathroom bound for about the next hour or so while Emma and Nemo snoozed the night away. My guts just hasn't been right since I got a bout of food poisoning a few weeks ago.

A couple extras.. while out and about we came across what looked like Daleks in the water! I was waiting for them to all "EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE" on mah ass! But as you can see that did not happen.. coz I am here for starters and coz, well they were just dormant? Just biding their time until it is time to rise up and get their exterminate on.

Also.. segways! Here we have a bunch of segwayers hanging around a poo.. I can't blame them, poo can be a rather exciting topic! I know I'd be all about the poo if I got on a segway. hahahaha 

One lady clearly could not stand the poo!

Forgotten Something?

4:30am and the alarm buzzes, Emma and I drag ourselves out of bed while Nemo continues to slumber. The three S's all done and dusted and it was time to walk out the door to take Nemo on a little adventure! Oh and us too.. it was a first for me to go to Stockholm and I was looking forward to having a few days in a new place with my little family and seeing a little and resting a lot! Resting somewhere other than home is more fun.. not that I could lounge around all day in a place I haven't been to.

The train ride to Stockholm was pretty easy, I slept the first 2 hours pretty well.. waking up here and there from snores and drooling. Oh and the occasional too much rocking which whacked mah neck from side to side! I was pretty stoked with the ride there.. Emma not so much. Nemo was happy to finally arrive and get out into the new world of smells! 

We made our way to the hotel, which wasn't too far from the station so we could drop off our luggage and then hit the town running.. the old town that is! We slowly made our way over.. looking around. The thing I love the most about Europe are the awesome buildings and their colours.. and alley ways, I love them!

We tried to check out the changing of the guard but it was just way too packed.. and long, seriously long with the band playing as well. Here are a couple of snaps I took by holding the camera way up high.. 

and also, we managed to catch them as they walked expectantly past us after we had left the main area.

We wandered around the old town killing time until we were due to meet up with Hanky Hanna & Billy-Goats parentals & sister.. Lunch was to be had! We met up and all headed back into the old town to a little place and enjoyed some conversation while eating Swedish meatballs.. Emma's mum does much better ones and I wished the lingonberry jam was actually jam-like and sweet.

After the good-byes were said, we headed back to the hotel for a well needed rest which is when Emma lovingly snapped this photo of yours truly.

Also at the hotel, I could help but laugh at this sign...

And how freaken awesome is our hand basin?

This is definitely a hotel I would recommend. Story Hotel. Funky as! & they allow dogs which is just pure awesome! Just don't ask for a well done burger from the bar, you'll be served a medium! The breakfast spread however, is just right.