OK, so yesterday I went to Gothenburg (or Göteborg, as it is supposed to now be universally known) to get my laptop fixed. Not knowing how long this would take, and giving myself the best chance of getting it done in a day, I caught the train at 7.20 and slept about 2 of the 3 hours up there.

Having finally ascertained where I needed to go, and deciding that if I got lost I could follow the tram rails to the right place, I decided to walk the 2 miles to the computer workshop. The second I stepped off the tramstop platform, it began to rain and it got windy too. It was like being in Hull. The plan worked to a greater extent- I took a bit of a scenic route, but I got to the tramstop and saved myself 20kr.

Looking around for the right road to go down from the tram stop, I saw someone rolling sideways down a flight of stairs. You know, like stuntmen do when someone's supposed to have been shot in a movie. For a moment I guess I thought I was watching a movie, 'cos I kinda chuckled to myself and said, "Oof! Ow!". Slowly reality dawned on me, though- there were no cameras: this was real. Not only that, but the "stuntman" was a 70 year old woman and she wasn't moving. It was very humbling- I felt completely useless as I didn't speak enough Swedish to sort her out nor ring an ambulance. I also felt the loneliness and despair of an old person lying on the floor, immobile. Fortunately for both of us, a kindly mother with a pram came along and rescued us both and I resorted to straightening out the old girl's umbrella as if she actually gave a damn about it. Admittedly I was very tired yesterday, but it shocked me and to be honest, I think I still am shocked about what I saw- the despair; the blood collecting on the floor; the people watching and walking on...

On the other hand, I've decided Göteborg must be wonderful, 'cos I can't imagine the weather being worse than it was and I still kinda liked it. It's a bit like York, but the streets converge in a slightly more predictable manner.

French lesson in a few minutes- feeling slightly unmotivated, but I'll get on with it- it's why I'm here.