A friend sent me a text message today. Accompanying the photograph of rain on the window from his office was a note, “Did you really have to take the weather with you back to Australia? It’s raining here now :(. It’s been a bit of friendly joke over the last couple of weeks that when I arrived, summer arrived, and now that I’m going back, the weather has turned back to the way it a. Of course, it hasn’t. I’ve just been extremely lucky.
Due to the weather, I didn’t really do all that much for my final full day. Yes, I could have gone to some museums and galleries, but I preferred to spend the day wandering around Stockholm. A coffee in the morning, lunch at a Chinese restaurant called “Chopstick” (where, ironically I had to ask for chopstick), and then later a beer at a nearby pub, and a bite to eat.
The thing I’ve loved most about the holiday is that it has actually been a “holiday”. I’m never one for lying on a beach doing nothing. When I travel, I like to do lot of things, try new adventures. This holiday had been a combination of both. Seeing some new things. Enjoying catching up with people. And relaxing, and really enjoying the terrific city, which I love just to wander around.
At one of the entrances to Monster, a restaurant/bar in Canberra, there’s a row of bicycles. For a brief second I wondered if they might have been the bicycles used by the staff to get to and from the restaurant, though I quickly concluded they were probably there “for effect”. “It’s very hipster”, my friend Patrick commented.
The other thing that’s very “hipster” (the word’s so over-used I’m not really sure what it means anymore) was one of the bar snacks we had leading to our main meals: a jaffle/toasted sandwich that contained yabby. It was very tasty, and was a really terrific accompaniment to a glass of pinot gris, as we chatted, catching up on each other’s lives.
Patrick has been living overseas for a few years, and has only recently (the last few months) arrived back in Canberra.
As I was already planning to come down for work, I decided to make weekend of it, go to some of the galleries, and catch up with some friends. Patrick advised “Monster” was one of the hip places to eat in Canberra right now, and this evening’s meal clearly showed why.
Cured kingfishSmoked eggplantWe also squeezed in some pannacotta.
Four glasses of wine and five meals set us back $126 which wasn’t bad at all. We probably should have just bought a bottle of wine. In Sydney, the same meal probably would have set us back an extra $30 or $40. As you’ll see from the photographs, the presentation was good for all. The tastes were also good, especially the kingfish which we both rated highly. The staff were also good: friendly, smiling and attentive without being in your face.
The design of the restaurant’s also really interesting. Although there are lots of shared tables, they’re designed (with lots of diagonal lines) in such a way that you don’t feel like you’re seated at the same table as other people. I also really like the wood panelling that dominates one of the entrances.
It’s really lovely to come away for the weekend, to enjoy friendship, to enjoy a lovely meal, and to enjoy fresh hotel sheets. Is there anything so good as fresh hotel sheets?
Today was a big day. I took delivery of my new mobility scooter, and I couldn’t be more excited. For me, this isn’t just a vehicle; it’s a ticket to freedom.
As a below-the-knee amputee, I’ve learned to navigate the world in a way most people don’t consider. While I have a prosthetic leg, there are many reasons why it’s not always an option. Sometimes, I simply can’t wear it because of skin irritation, swelling, or open sores on my residual limb. These issues can make it incredibly painful or even impossible to fit into the socket. Other times, I’m just too exhausted to manage the extra energy it takes to walk with a prosthetic, especially for longer distances. When I can’t wear my leg, I’m essentially housebound, relying on others for even the simplest errands.
I am eligible for in-home support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), a program that provides funding to eligible Australians with a permanent and significant disability to help them live more independently. While this support is a fantastic resource, I’ve always valued my independence. The idea of being stuck at home, waiting for help to get to the shops or just to leave the house, just doesn’t sit right with me. I want to be able to go out and about on my own terms.
This is where the mobility scooter comes in. In the short term, it means I can get to the local shops or even the pub without relying on anyone. But in the longer term, it offers a sustainable solution for my independence. It’s not just a temporary fix; it’s a tool that allows me to maintain an active life, even as my mobility needs change. The freedom of hopping on my scooter and going for a spontaneous outing is something I haven’t had in a long time.
Proving the Need: The Occupational Therapist’s Report
Navigating the NDIS to get a mobility scooter isn’t as simple as just asking for one. Because a scooter is classified as ‘high-cost assistive technology,’ the NDIS requires a detailed occupational therapist (OT) report to prove it is a “reasonable and necessary” support.
My occupational therapist, Samantha from Golden Age, who was fantastic had to conduct a thorough assessment, focusing on how my disability impacts my daily life. The report needed to clearly justify why a scooter was the best solution for me. It had to cover several key points, including:
My Functional Capacity: The report had to explain how my amputation, and the factors that prevent me from wearing my prosthetic, limit my mobility and ability to get around my community.
The Impact on My Goals: My OT needed to link the scooter directly to my NDIS goals, such as increasing my community participation and gaining independence. It had to show that without a scooter, I couldn’t achieve these goals.
Safety and Suitability: The OT also had to assess my physical and cognitive ability to use the scooter safely. This involved looking at things like my balance, judgment, and ability to navigate different environments. They also had to recommend a specific model and explain why it was the most suitable option for my needs and the kind of terrain I would be using it on.
It wasn’t until I took my sister’s scooter for a spin late last yearthat I realized just how liberating it was to embrace the idea of a mobility scooter. It wasn’t about giving up on driving, public transport or walking; it was about gaining back a part of my life. After I broke my hip a few months ago, I hired one for a few weeks and was completely convinced.
Today, thanks to my NDIS support, my new scooter has arrived. It’s an incredible step forward—not just in terms of getting from A to B, but in reclaiming my independence and maintaining my mental and physical health.
All I need now is for the rain to ease, so I can get out and about.
My friend Paul asked AI to imagine me in a Mad Max truck!!
I’m a bit behind the times on this one, since the song was released about six months ago, but I only discovered it tonight. It’s quite a mesmerising clip. It evokes lots of memories for those of us who lived through the early 1980s. It’s especially poignant when you realise it’s Boy George on vocals.
I’ve been feeling slightly restless in the last few days, and so have been wandering a fair bit, taking a few photographs here and there, a few of which looked better in black and white than colour, so I thought I’d share them. Nothing special, all on my camera phone, with a black and white filter.
I thought I was going to die the morning after the last time I drank starköl (strong beer). I had a fantastic time the night before at the now-closed, but legendary Stockholm disco, Lino. But the morning after I had the worst hang-over I’ve ever had in my life.
At this point, I should tell you Swedish beer comes in three standard strengths: the aforementioned starköl (strong), mellaöl (medium, pretty standard full strength beer in Australia) and lättöl (low alcohol) which is readily sold in supermarkets.
In contrast to supermarket sales, the sale of alcohol is heavily regulated in Sweden with a state-run bottleshop, Systembolaget. It is said the Swedes like a drink or two, and so the state has regulated alcohol sales with just one chain of shops and with heavily regulated opening hours.
I, too, am trying to regulate my alcohol intake on this trip. Shock! Horror! In contrast to my usual lushness, today was the first day on this trip that I’ve had any alcohol, and I decided to restrict myself to only two beers. But which to choose? As I wandered around Systembolaget late this afternoon I found myself spoiled for choice. In the end I settled on a beer called “7,2”. Like “Spray & Wipe”, “7,2” tells you exactly what you’re buying as that’s also the alcohol volume. The label goes on to tell me it was made with Malt & Corn, so it will be interesting to see how it tastes.
Swedish beer
I think the couple I saw on the bus ealier may also have been to Systembolaget today. I can’t remember exactly what bus stop they got on at, but from the moment they were on the bus I was completely transfixed. In fact, I completely missed my own stop because I became so enthralled in what was going on.
They were an older couple. I heard him say he was 70 years old. They certainly both looked it, or maybe a little more. They also both reeked of booze. She also had a single cigarette in her hand, as she made her way onto the bus. Like Moses and The Red Sea, she cut a swathe through the commuters as she came on fag in hand and with an apparently much-needed walking frame. She plonked herself down next to a young woman, while he plonked himself down next to a young man, though far apart.
Ice skating at Medborgarplatsen
While the people they sat next to tried to remain oblivious to the drunken ramblings coming from their mouths, another young man who was standing close by began to engage the older man in a conversation. “Är du bra?” he asked at first. They chatted for a while, and I since it was a simple enough conversation (they spoke pretty slowly) I was able to listen in and follow most of what was said. It wasn’t that interesting, to be honest, but it was interesting enough for me to be able to follow, and to become completely distracted by it, and miss my stop altogether.
In addition to my bottle-shop visit, since arriving in my apartment yesterday, I’ve also done a bit of supermarket shopping. I’m lucky enough to be in the vicinity of three supermarkets, as well as a few nearby convenience stores. It was a bit of a struggle for a while as I tried to make sense of some of the different products, and then translate them into Australian dollars to work out if they were good value or not. The navel oranges I bought were an excellent price, whereas the mandarins I didn’t purchase were outrageously expensive. I also struggled a bit with the enormous variety of fruit juices, as I struggled to work out what all of the different names and varieties were. I was looking for some peppermint tea, but interestingly enough, it wasn’t to be found, and so I settled for a Strawberry and Raspberry infusion. But in the midst of it, I found some good things, including my favourite purchase which was a block of a really tasty, mild, creamy cheese called Carolineost. I’ve had it before on many occasions and it never fails to disappoint.
Hopefully I haven’t bored you with my shopping list, but for me it’s relatively important to settle down for a regularish routine, as I contemplate the next two months of travel.
Gamla Stan, the old town in Stockholm
Also, it’s Day 3 of this holiday and I’m yet to really relax. I’ve been a little tired and stressed (and pretty grumpy for a few months now, so I haven’t really chilled out yet. But the beautiful sunny days (though cold nights) are helping with the relaxation. Having a place to call “home” without the stress of moving has really helped. Hopefully the “holiday” will really kick in this weekend with Melodifestivalen. So apologies if you’ve been wishing and hoping for some amazing tales and excitement. I’m on the road for two months, and I’m sure they’ll eventuate. Who knows what will happen after I finish this starkol…
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My English interpretations of the words in the Swedish newspaper story about Tiger Woods amuses me.
My English interpretations of the words in the Swedish newspaper story about Tiger Woods amuses me.
It’s the word rattfylla, isn’t it? It’s DUI. His girlfriend’s in tears.
I can’t believe the holiday is over already! That went incredibly quickly.
Love the new minimalist blog template – though miss the photo in the header.