Writer: Helena Bergström
What a week ... again! We only just landed in Stockholm, after travelling to Greece, before it was time for a meeting at the Uzbekistan embassy. Now we've had time to try both Uzbek brandy and Indian whisky ... and we're planning two exciting trips abroad! It's not easy to keep up with the times, even for us ...
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Houseboat life and motorhome fixes
Coming home to the houseboat, after five months in southern Europe with the motorhome - and a week in Greece by plane - was fantastic. There was a lot to sort out in practical terms, but still, home is home!
We've done a lot with the motorhome since we got home - from unpacking to fixing things. And there's still more to do! The most important thing is that we finally managed to kill our involuntary co-passenger, who jumped on board Sardinia.
We tried for a long time to get rid of the mouse by other means, including an electronic noisemaker, but unfortunately it seemed that this mouse was deaf ... After various broken cables (and many eaten biscuits!), we were lucky that a traditional mouse trap did the job ...
Meeting at the Uzbekistan embassy
You may know that we are official tourist ambassadors for Uzbekistan? It's an award we feel really honoured and proud of! As soon as we returned from our motorhome trip in southern Europe, the embassy wanted us to visit. We received the diplomas from Ambassador Rakhmatulla Nurimbetov, who joked that he is now not the first ambassador...
We humbly thank you for the award and the honour! Our next assignment will be to go back to Uzbekistan, together with a new group of journalists and bloggers. The best thing about this is that it's really fun to travel to a country that every time fills us with that wonderfully exciting feeling of travelling into something different. That's what we've always loved about travelling!
Indian whisky - and Indian food pairing
This week we have also been to an Indian whisky tasting, at the restaurant India's on Birger Jarlsgatan 29 in Stockholm. Exciting! We had no idea about Amrut before, but now we are all the more initiated. We got to try a few different varieties in the range, and we can attest that this is really good whisky.
The flavour varies a bit depending on the variety you choose. I (Helena) liked Amrut Bagheera, with a light note of vanilla and dried fruit, while Peter liked Amrut Fusion, with a slightly more spicy aftertaste.
The whisky tasting was served together with food pairing, and this was really an interesting experience. Traditional Indian dishes were served, but with a modern and exciting touch. First up was a deep-fried sweet potato dish, followed by a spiced-up version of palak paneer, which is Indian cheese with spinach. Incredibly tasty!
The third dish was a creative creation of lentils with black caviar, and the last dish was "panipuri", which is classic Indian street food. And yes, this evening undoubtedly made us curious about India!
By the way, you can now find Amrut's whisky at Systembolaget, although it may be via the customised range.
This week: Grateful for ...
We are thankful for lots of things this week! We're grateful to be back home, to see friends we haven't seen in a long time, and to be able to manage what needs to be done with the houseboat. Your turn... What are you thankful for this week?
The week ahead
We are now back home in Stockholm, and we will be here for the whole week. This weekend, we are going to a party (in the motorhome, of course!) and later in the week, we have a few events to attend. After that, our new trip to Uzbekistan is approaching... And after that? Tunisia, we think... Stay tuned and we will tell you all about what is happening! Feel free to follow us on Instagram at @freedomtravel.se!
Did you miss the last Friday Blog? Read it Long journey home from Athens - with two unplanned stopovers
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Orsakulla mamma vid 20 - Dalaliv, finporslin & pudelliv says:
What a shame to have such a saboteur in your neighbourhood. Even if it did get mouse-trapped to death, it's not funny before.
03 October 2025 - 6:18
Helena says:
It has been really hard with the mouse actually ... I think mice are cute but you do NOT want them in the caravan!
03 October 2025 - 19:06
Eval8 says:
So glad you've come home. Festivities right away too!
Mice are no fun to bring in. We usually have in the awning, but this year we have not seen any traces. The neighbour has had a cat, a caged cat, but still. It may have done some good.
I am grateful that we got the awning down dry. Immediately afterwards there was a downpour.
Have a nice evening!
04 October 2025 - 19:15
bmlarsreseblogg says:
What a great appointment at the embassy and so good for you to return to that exciting country. Tunisia always sounds exciting too. Despite all the fun, it must be nice to be home in the houseboat for a couple of weeks. For us, it has been a week of "ups and downs". The sad thing is that we did not get the alarm we booked installed but otherwise it has been another wonderful week. Next week we are moving in with a daughter as a cat sitter, which is perfect as we can wash and prepare for the trip south!
03 October 2025 - 16:42
Helena says:
Sorry you didn't get the alarm installed yet, but I guess it will happen in the future? Yes, both Uzbekistan and Tunisia feel really exciting, even though we have visited both countries before!
03 October 2025 - 19:07
BP says:
What a wonderful year of travel 2025 was for you! Unforgettable, and this year is not over yet.
I'm glad you were officially appointed as Ambassadors of Uzbekistan. Well deserved considering how much positive stuff you have written about the country. Had a good laugh that you were dressed up, between the ambassador wearing baggy jeans - hahaha!
The spiced up Indian dishes are right up my street. Don't like Whiskey of any kind, but glad you liked the varieties that were offered:-)
03 October 2025 - 18:32
Helena says:
Yes, we are very happy for the appointment! And haha, yes, we remember a meeting we had with the Uzbekistan embassy when we were in South Africa - we wore shorts and they wore a suit. Maybe we've both adapted a bit over time 🙂
03 October 2025 - 19:09
Znogge says:
It must be a bit special but also very nice to live on a houseboat. Now you have been away for a long time so I can imagine that it was nice to come home again.
What a bunch of mice! Unfortunately, they can cause damage quickly so it was lucky that it got caught in the trap.
04 October 2025 - 19:54
Anna i Portugal says:
Had no idea about Indian whiskey, maybe because I don't drink that drink.. but Indian food is so good and something I almost always choose if we are going to eat out. Good to be home I understand, although you had a wonderful trip.
05 October 2025 - 10:48
Anna says:
I am grateful that you came and celebrated me <3
06 October 2025 - 9:59
Annika på Resfredag says:
Fun week! I'm grateful for a week filled with family time and paddle - and for a great trip to South Korea. Now I look forward to new adventures! 🙂
06 October 2025 - 11:52