Autumn So Far
After a wet and cool summer we had a beautiful bright and sunny September. Most of October was pretty great too. And well as for the foliage it was spectacular as usual. November so far on the other hand has been truly rubbish with only a blink of sunshine. It has definitely been one of the most Novembery Novembers in a few years. I have been working pretty much non stop and some good socializing too when time allows.
The second half of September was good to me. I got to meet M's baby, have delicious vegan Chinese food with Paccomonti and Pingry, have a long overdue catch up with the OG preschool Mum's on a rare Saturday evening and a pasta date with Ms EMG. Also after a 4 year hiatus I was delighted to be back with hubby with his work at Gröna Lund Day. They rent out the whole park for employees. We had a fun day trying out some of the new rides (the first one was a bit too twisty turny for my liking), had some drinks with friends and just enjoyed the day there. Next year we are going to aim to try and go to the Liseberg day. On the 23rd we had the pleasure of attending our friend B&V's wedding. Our second gay wedding actually and this one was about as small as the one we had gone to in Scotland 9 years previously. The weather was perfect for them! I had just the week before their wedding been invited by the restaurant they had their meal at for a dinner so I was really looking forward to going back. Unfortunately I found the group menu food really average. But hey ho we had a fun night and ended up at a gay club dancing to Kylie. At the start of October the Delger and I met up with another fellow CupofJo reader who was visiting Stockholm. We went to Bar Agrikultur which I had been wanting to try for ages. The food was absolutely delicious and we had a nice evening getting to know her. The next day AVM and I were invited to a fine dining restaurant to try their 5 course lunch. It was quite good but I would not be rushing back to try more of the menu. My dinner the night before was miles ahead better. On the 12th we hopped on the train to head to Gothenburg for the rest of the week. When we had gone in April I had no idea that the Concierge Scandinavian Zone Meeting would be there 6 months later. The rest of the week was events for the meeting, workshops, mingling etc. They even served our wedding champagne at the first cocktail hour! I really enjoyed meeting the members from other cities. Hubby got to tag along to a lot of it too which was nice and I was very jealous that he got to enjoy the beautiful spa. We even managed to get to the O/O bar again for great pasta and beers. Back in Stockholm the following week the foliage was at its peak so our neighbour K and I made it out for a walk to enjoy it. On the 18th the concierges and I were invited to a newish restaurant in Stockholm to try. The food was absolutely fantastic and I have already sent some guests there! A couple of days later I had fun celebrating a belated Oktoberfest with some of my colleagues. Unfortunately/Fortunately I had to work the next day as they ended up staying out till 4AM! The week of the 27th was very quiet at the hotel. We needed it after an intense few months. I had fun meeting up with my teacher friends who were on half term for lunch one of the days, meeting my friends newly adopted daughter and having friends over for dinner two of the nights. The weekend of the 3rd was my first true weekend off in 6 weeks. Saturday I woke up early as I usually do but this time was unable to fall back asleep unfortunately. During the day we ran errands, visited my grandmothers grave to light candles for All Saints Day and managed to take a good nap when we got home. In the evening we headed to Söder for a farewell dinner for our friend Jesse D who was moving back to Ohio after nearly 15 years in Stockholm. We had good Indian food and played arcade games. I didn't see Jesse D a lot in recent years but I am still sad to see him go. Sunday I woke up early again but this time did manage to fall back asleep for 3 more hours!!! We had a much needed do nothing Sunday and in the evening the ASL girls and I had a wonderful 2 hour video call. A perfect end to a much needed weekend off.
This past week the hotel has been in full swing and I have been invited to lots of fun events! Tuesday was the annual Stromma party which was just as fun as last year. I kid you not when I say I ran into somebody I know nonstop throughout the evening! Stockholm can be so small sometimes and I secretly love it. Wednesday I was invited back to a restaurant I love for dinner again. The food was as good as I remembered and is definitely one of my favourites of the year! Thursday I had the flat to myself in the evening for the first time in ages. I made myself mac and cheese, watched a rom com and went to bed early. Yesterday I was invited by a client to lunch at a newish French restaurant that opened about a year ago. We had oysters, snails, tartar, champagne and much more! Not what I was expecting. He's a really nice guy and will be a great addition to our concierge network.
And that is my autumn so far. It could have been sunnier but it has been fun so I have been overall liking it. Here is to the next very busy 6 weeks coming up including last few weeks of my 30's!!!!
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