Writer: Helena Bergström
The last week has been good... but maybe a little messy? We recently returned from Poland, followed by an intense fashion event! Plus, we've had a lot of computer problems...
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Travelling abroad
This year's first trip abroad was to a fantastic place Sopot in Poland. We have visited this gem before, but coming here in winter was new. Nice to discover that everything (except the ice cream parlours) is open in winter! Please read about winter weekend in Sopot and if Grand Hotel in Sopot!
Computer problems
When I (Helena) woke up one morning, my computer had ”died”, or rather locked itself. It wanted a so-called ”Bitlocker reset” to open up and after some research we realised that the requested key might be in one's Microsoft account. Unfortunately it didn't, despite exploring all the different possible Microsoft accounts...
What to do? We went to Elgiganten, where we bought the computer, but all they could do was empty and restart the computer. In other words, they could give me back my computer, but I lost all my documents, pictures and programmes.
Yes, I had some sort of cloud, so I eventually got most of what I had stored on the computer back. But it was a lot of trouble (many hours!), and the fact that there were posts here every day is entirely due to the fact that I had an old spare computer at home that I could pull out ...
Fashion event in Stockholm
You may have read that we visited The Golden Age Gala 2026? Really fun! We ended up here because Peter loves Taracci's design, and we thought it would be fun to write a story about the event.
Croatia event
Shortly after this, it was time for an event focussing on lovely Croatia. A presenter told us about various nice Hilton hotels in Croatia. Inspiring!
Another presenter talked about cruises with Katarina Line. These we can hot recommend! The cruises (available in different price ranges, depending on the type of ship) take you around the wonderful Croatian archipelago.
This is simply a fantastic way to experience Croatian island life, for those who also want good food, great wines, interesting sights and a great atmosphere! Do you have questions about these cruises? Please contact us at [email protected]!
This week: Grateful for ...
This week I am first and foremost grateful that I got my computer back, after the ”Bitlocker crash”. I honestly have a bit of a hard time understanding why it happened (and why my key wasn't in the Microsoft account) but after all the back and forth, I'm just grateful that everything is working... Also, I'm grateful that all parts of the Nordics are still part of the Nordics!
What are you thankful for this week?
The week ahead
We're back in Stockholm now and you can expect more reports on Sopot, which we visited recently. There will also be reports from guest writers on both Greenland and Mali (West Africa) - exciting, isn't it? We wish you a great Friday and weekend!
Did you miss the last Friday Blog? Read it Greetings from a wintry Poland
You might also like:
Why we love travelling
The adventure in South Africa continues - healthcare, signs and new friends
Travelling by campervan in Sweden with South African friends
Stockholm, houseboating, friends and good food
Friday blog: almost ready for the next trip!
Friday's blog: Summer days – and our first speech in the Swedish parliament
English (UK) 
Svenska
Madde says:
May well answer your question about what I am grateful for today. It must be my key words for the year, Breathe, love and accept. 3 things just this year that bothered me too much for it to be good.
23 January 2026 - 10:47
Helena says:
Such good keywords! Really like!!!
23 January 2026 - 19:17
JoY says:
You don't want your computer to fail, I imagine that you also have all your work in it. Good that it was solved at least to some extent. Remember when my desktop computer's hard drive gave up! Got help to pick out most of the pictures, which I settled for.
What fun things you have been through, wish you a great weekend. Hugs
23 January 2026 - 11:17
Helena says:
Computers are great when they work, but a pain in the arse when they break down... Have a great weekend!
23 January 2026 - 19:18
Ditte says:
Right now, I am most grateful that no war has broken out in our neighbourhood.
23 January 2026 - 11:34
Helena says:
Yes, important thing to be thankful for! Totally agree!!!
23 January 2026 - 19:18
bmlarsreseblogg says:
Grr, when computers and other technical things don't work! It should just work! Here we have had huge problems with our Telenor Stream subscription in the crank. There have been several calls to support with long waiting times each time, so frustrating but now it works, pepper, pepper... We are grateful that we are safe and secure and waiting out the storm Ingrid that has moved in over Portugal. A card with unlimited wifi and the fridge filled, we should probably manage a few days in this village. Then we'll see if the rain will be mixed with snow tonight as they threaten...
23 January 2026 - 13:49
Helena says:
I'm glad that the subscription seems to be working again! Problems like that are no fun ... Wow, storm! Hope it passes without too much trouble!
23 January 2026 - 19:20
BP says:
Thanks for almost getting everything back after that nasty crash. I've never heard of “Bitlocker recovery”. No, I don't think I want to google either;-)
Fun with the fashion event, especially for 45 plus people who are not skinny anymore:-)
Yes, Greenland is on everyone's lips right now, as it will be interesting to read a report ”from the inside”.
23 January 2026 - 18:58
Helena says:
I can say this: You don't want to hear about ”bitlocker reset” ... yuck and yuck! Wasn't it fun to have a fashion event for ”adults”...? I liked it! 🙂 And yes, very soon there will be reports from Greenland! Very interesting to read I thought! 🙂
23 January 2026 - 19:21
Anna i Portugal says:
Hard work with the computer! Glad it worked out in the end. Grateful that I have a warm and dry house both for us and another for the cats now that we have wind and rain every day.
24 January 2026 - 9:59
Helena says:
Computers are great when they work, but it's a misery when they break down... Good thing the house is warm and dry!
24 January 2026 - 12:31
Marianne Cargus says:
Wonderful picture the last one which I suspect is view from your window.
Computer glitches are so annoying and trying to get it to work can drive one more or less crazy, luckily you got help and most of it could be restored.
24 January 2026 - 12:25
Helena says:
I'm glad you like the picture! It's not exactly from the window, but it is from our marina, just outside our houseboat.
24 January 2026 - 12:30
Monnah says:
Bitlocker? Never heard that. Glad to hear it still worked out somehow for you!
I understand that Macs have fewer problems with similar things, but I can be soooo bothered that everything costs a fortune. When my old computer couldn't keep up last year we got a new little box, a Mac mini. Doesn't look like much to the world and we needed to take an old screen and new speakers to connect it to. Still ended up being expensive. But, but.... I am grateful that I now have a well-functioning computer, something that I cannot do without in my job.
Poland is wonderful in many ways, like posts from there. Hope you have a great week!
25 January 2026 - 9:06
Lena - gott för själen says:
Oh my God! The panic when the computer locks up like that! I'm glad it worked out reasonably well, even if it took time.
Hug Lena
10 February 2026 - 10:59