Arrived in Gote last Wednesday and it's testament to the good times one can have in this fine, fine, city that it is only now, Saturday morning, the day of the main reason for the visit-Jeff Beck live, that I find time to update. I'm staying at Merlin's and I managed to convince him that his bike would be safe in my hands for the next few days. It's great cyling here. All over the city are safe and secure paths, resplendent with their own traffic signals. I can traverse the six kilometres from Merlin's into the heart of the city, Rustan's place, in perfect safety, as long as when you cross The Avenue in the middle of town, you remember that trams have the right of way! The rest of the time it's isolated two way bike paths where cars are occasional crossers but ALWAYS have to give way to those on two wheels.Goteborg has changed very little since I lived here in 1987-90. The women are just as beautiful, the pace of life is as sedate compared to the manic crush of the UK and the pubs and restaraunts as warm and inviting whether one sits outside or in. Not for of the first time did I wish today as I pedalled in, that I had not returned to the UK in 1990 when I had, to all intents and purposes established myself in this fine country.
But if you listen to the Swedes not all is well. They have an immigration problem. They have always been a welcoming country but it is turning into a familar scene apparantly, with immigrants refusing to abide by the laws of the country and wanting special considerations with regard to their everyday living. They reward the Swedish people here in Goteborg, with an escalation of organised gun and knife crime. The only positive to all of this is that they are killing themselves on a weekly basis. Long may that continue if it is to continue that is. It would be better for it to stop of course but the human condition seems to prevent that. A world wide problem here in little old Goteborg.
But let's return to the positive. The nights a long at the moment as midsummer approaches with the daylight fading at about 11.15 The music scene is alive and well here. I am here to see Jeff Beck tonight. The concert takes place in the 'tree garden' with an estimated crowd of about 300 expected. In uk. It was the Albert Hall, no choice there. We are excited about the concert tonight. He played a good gig in Malmo last night and has Jason Rebello on keyboards and Narada Michael Walden on drums. Last year it was Eric Clapton followed by Jeo Bonamassa in October, so the first gig in Sweden this year should be one to remember.
More tomorrow, with, hopefully some pictures from the gig.
