Turkish and Egyptian inspo - and winter in the marina

This week we have been inspired by Turkey and Egypt. But above all, we have experienced severe Scandinavian winter in the houseboat marina where we live. Happy Friday!

Turkish dinner in Stockholm

This weekend we were invited to a Turkish dinner with friends who are from Turkey and live in Stockholm for a few years for work. Last year, at this time, we invited them to a traditional Swedish Christmas table (without pork and alcohol because the guests are Muslims, and yes, we did, it went great!).

Now they're back with amazing Turkish food. We have to say that we love these scrambles that you often get as a start to the meal in Turkey. We also got to try an interesting drink that can perhaps be translated as "turnip drink" and a delicious dessert of quince. But above all - so much fun to meet, socialise and learn from each other's cultures!

Event focusing on Egypt

This week Peter also attended an event with the Egyptian Tourism Organisation. They told us that you can fly directly from Stockholm to Cairo in just 4.5 hours with Nile Air, twice a week in summer and once a week in winter. Interesting! We (and Peter's brother and his wife) have long been keen to see more of Cairo. Egypt!

We also learnt that the new museum in Cairo (Grand Egyptian Museum) will open soon. It will be the largest archaeological museum in the world.

Everyday life with errands in town

Otherwise, we have had a pretty mundane week here in Stockholm. We have both been to the optician, I (Helena) have been to the hairdresser and we have fixed some other necessary errands ...

Winter has come to the Pampas marina

Above all, this week we can conclude that winter has arrived in the UK. Pampas marina (and to the rest of Stockholm of course). We have had around 11 degrees below zero and the ice started to settle (although the kayak rental company broke it one morning to be able to run "Paddling for Musikhjälpen").

Paddle for Musikhjälpen

Paddling in the middle of a bitterly cold winter? No, we haven't done that, but "Paddling for Musikhjälpen" is going on in our neighbourhood. Throughout Musikhjälpen week, Melker in Pampas keeps two kayaks running around the clock, while raising money for children fleeing war and conflicts.

The plan was to paddle around Kungsholmen, but considering how frozen it was, the paddlers had to take shorter rounds. They are tough in any case who paddle in this climate, right?

Time to get an ice-free marina

But, do we usually have ice in Pampas marina? Well, this is actually an ice-free marina, which is usually solved by a large propeller that is lowered into the water. Yesterday was the day. Pampa's big boat passed right by our kitchen window ...

Then it was time to lower the propeller! Hopefully, the marina will remain somewhat ice-free in the future (which, by the way, usually produces sea smoke and attracts swans and ducks).

Best this week

Best this week? One of the absolute The best thing is that it is now clear that we are a partner of Elmia Husvagn Husbil in organising the event. The Destination Square at the 2023 fair. So funny!

Your turn, what can you highlight as positive from your week?

The week ahead

We are approaching Christmas, but our plans are still a bit unclear. We have a small plan for a trip, but we don't know yet if it will happen. Otherwise, we will stay here in Stockholm. Follow us here and we'll see how it goes!

Did you miss the last Happy Friday? Read La Girafe, Portuguese wine and Czech party at Bar Central