Text and photo: Helena Bergström
This week has been all about problem solving. A broken computer, a lost cell phone, and a flat bike needed fixing, while social media has given us the occasional challenge...
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Problem solving (When computer, mobile phone and electric bike stop working at the same time)
It's been a busy week, with lots of fixing and problem-solving. Considering that around the same week Peter lost his computer (it didn't like red wine), his mobile phone (it ended up ten meters deep) and his electric bike (well, he didn't get rid of that one – it got punctured) – the last few days have been very much about getting life back to normal.
I don't know how much time we spent visiting repair shops, googling new affordable products, blocking bank cards (yes, they were in the phone case), installing bank ID and Office packages, logging into online programs, etc. etc.
Besides the fact that a lot of time has passed, there have of course been a lot of extra expenses. At least we managed to fix the puncture on the electric bike in the end… it took a while but didn't cost more than 49 kronor for the repair kit!
When social media becomes a digital challenge
Social media is not just a pastime for us, but also part of our job. I usually find social media mostly fun: posting pictures, telling stories about trips, having social contact with acquaintances, other travelers, etc. But lately it has been very hassle, which often takes the edge off the fun.
The worst part is that I've been logged out of Facebook and still can't log back in... It all started when I tried to change my email address - because the email address linked to my FB account no longer exists. As soon as I try to log in with the new email address, a code is sent to an app where I've never registered, so yeah... tricky!
FREEDOMtravels Facebook page (please follow!) works as usual, but for now only Peter can administer it...
It can also be quite challenging to solve some things for a business page on Facebook. The other day we created an ad in the Ad Center (to advertise for the competition – where you can win a trip to Tunisia) and it took us about three hours to get through all the steps and solve all the challenges along the way (using Chat GPT). For example: Why did FB insist on randomly inserting images into our ad, that we ourselves did not choose …?
Instagram has also been a headache this week – even though I'm nowhere near using all the different exciting features. features that Discovering the Planet suggests about in a new guide.
I was just trying to do something I usually do: share short videos as stories on FREEDOMtravel's Instagram account – and suddenly it just wouldn't work. It took a few days before I realized I needed to go into the App Store and update the app...
Pleasantries between laps
Well, there have also been some pleasantries between the rounds! Among other things, we have had a visit from the journalist Heléne Katzman, who sometimes writes for FREEDOMtravel. Heléne travels abroad about 11 months a year, without a permanent job or secure income. How she copes and how she views life? We took the opportunity to do an interview with her, which you can read here on FREEDOMtravel tomorrow, Saturday.
This week: Grateful for ...
This week we are grateful that we managed to fix the puncture in the tube, so that we have two working electric bikes again. We are also grateful that a new phone and computer are in place, and that we will soon be able to use the devices as usual again. Your turn… what are you grateful for this week?
The week ahead
We are getting ready for a press trip to Germany, while we are slowly planning a longer motorhome trip (mainly in Sweden) after the Germany trip. Here at FREEDOMtravel, there will be a bit of mixed content – interview, Germany, Iceland and maybe a little something else…! Now we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a nice Friday and weekend!
You might also like:
New generator in the motorhome - and meeting with motorhome friends
Stockholm, houseboating, friends and good food
Friday blog: Long journey home from Athens - with two unplanned stopovers
Wintery everyday life in the houseboat marina
Friday Blog: Behind the scenes on a press trip
Friday Blog: To the Greek Islands (and everything that happened along the way...)
English (UK) 
Svenska
Anette says:
Ugh, how sad. The saying "a misfortune rarely comes alone" is unfortunately quite true.
Bad things come in waves.
Hope you've had your fair share and the fun is taking over.
05 June 2026 - 7:06
Helena says:
But of course misery comes in waves, I agree with that so much!! Wishing you a nice weekend!!
05 June 2026 - 20:10
Eval8 says:
I am grateful that we will soon meet the two grandchildren we haven't seen in months, even though it's my husband's birthday today.
Happy Friday!
05 June 2026 - 8:35
Helena says:
So nice and cozy!! And congratulations to the husband!!
05 June 2026 - 20:10
Ditte says:
So sad with all the bad luck you've had. And bad luck that was also expensive. Yes, except for the repair kit for the bike. And then social media is also being messed with, it must be a lot….
I hope it gets easier for you now.
Grateful for? That I have a very good physiotherapist who I see once a week. Furthermore; Nice weather, lunches and meetings with friends, arranged our trip to Gotland. (Cheap and quick to fly home and take Birka Gotland there.) I am also grateful to "own" my time and do what I enjoy.
Wishing you a great weekend.
05 June 2026 - 10:53
Hannas krypin says:
Oh yes, it has really been a challenging week for you. It really gets difficult with your job on the internet when you have problems with the technical stuff. But it sounds like most things have been resolved. Hope you get back on Facebook soon.
05 June 2026 - 16:42
BP says:
Well, at least you were lucky with the weather and with the repaired puncture on the bike. 49 kronor – absolutely fantastic! Imagine if it were just as cheap to get a new mobile phone and a new computer. Oh, Peter works with Apple, and they are at least twice as expensive as PCs.
Oh, a tip for the future – NEVER put bank cards, ICA cards, etc. in the same case as your iPhone. I know many people do it, but…
Oh, and as for wine – teach your new computer to like white wine instead. Less harmful to your computer and easy to fix. Just wrap it in some towels and throw it in the Micron. It worked with my iPhone so….
05 June 2026 - 21:34
bmlarsreseblogg says:
Another week has passed and we have had a nice week with visits from Linda and Pär and then continued to a meeting with nice campers at Stora Ekeberg. The only downside of the week would be that Lars managed to push the lid of the toilet cassette into the drain when it was emptied and a new lid probably costs as much as a new cassette. And it goes by quickly…
We wish you a nice weekend!
06 June 2026 - 9:00
Znogge says:
Sometimes it just becomes a bit too much and you could say it did for you. Then one thing leads to another and suddenly there are lots of things to fix. The new technology is just supposed to work but it doesn't always work that way.
I'm grateful, among other things, that we had a great day with our youngest grandchild yesterday. In addition, we had a nice first trip with the caravan.
Wishing you a nice National Day!
06 June 2026 - 18:00
Lena - gott för själen says:
So crazy frustrating when things like that don't work. Your pulse quickens because you think you should just fix something quickly and easily. Like! Glad that a little bit worked out, and probably the rest has also worked out now. 🙂
Hug Lena
August 04, 2026 - 19:34