…. after 23 years. Last Wednesday did I meet up with a good old friend and colleague after 23 years – I had lunch with Iris. It was wonderful weather – nearly like an early spring day with clear blue sky.
We worked together as cold larder chefs in the 70th’s and nearly lived on the same street so friendship came natural between us. Iris was the one that released me aboard “the little red ship” in Hong Kong in 1979.
After that we went separate ways. After her turn aboard that little special ship she went deep sea on massive container vessels and I went back to Stena Line – we met up once in a while – when we was home on leave, but then Stena start sending me around the world .. and I think the last time we run into each other was in 1990.
Iris was jazzing around the world onboard big vessels and I was trying to solve problems on small vessels.
Then out of the blue in October last year I got a postcard from her – with all her contact details – she is are living in Skåne (Scania) too – maybe a little more than an others drive from each other.
So then we decided to meet up in Helsingborg – nearly the same distance for both us with train. 21.02.13 it all happen at 1pm. While waiting for Iris I stepped outside the station and took some photo – nothing exciting happened at all. Helsingborg is a city with stunning old building.
In Helsingborg is the station really called “Knutpunkten” – the Knotpoint – because there is all transport connected; trains, busses and also the ferries over to Denmark, Helsingör … 20 min shuttle service and departures every 5 min.
It became a fantastic lunch and reunion – we just walked across the street from the station to a big place called “Harry’s”. A place I never been – with stunning crystal chandeliers and candles in a very rustic setting. A very busy place.
In Sweden we have something called “Dagens Rätt” (Today’s Dish) – it’s choice of dishes for a set price .. that includes drinks, salad bar, bread and coffee. On “Harry’s” it was for a price of 85.00SEK/$13.20/£8.70/€10.05 plus that Harry’s also inclued cookies with the coffee – so we both went for “Wallenbergare”, witch really is a burger made of mince veal and has whipping cream in the mince mix and we eat it always with mashed potatoes and green peas (bet they were from Findus) plus our beloved lingonberries. A great choice – a very tasty lunch.
It was truly great to see her and it was like it all had been yesterday, she hadn’t changed a bit. The same forward person maybe with a couple of more wrinkles, but the same strong personality – we had loads to talk about of course …
Same as me – never married and no children … she are today living with a partner since 6 years back and very happy. He are the reason why she gave up Gothenburg for a little community down here in Skåne.
We said goodbye after 3,5 hours none stop talking – and we decided that we are going to meet up again – and she will also try to get 2 other girls that worked with us, ask them to come down from Gothenburg – so we can have a big reunion and a BBQ this summer.
Amazing how friendship never really dies – after 23 years … it was like we picked up where we left things.
I must say that my true friends was all like that – was away for so many years – we met up when I was over here visiting – some visited me over in UK & Ireland, but it wasn’t like we talked every week or month. They were there when I came on visit and they were here when I moved back home. Just like I had never been away. That’s friendship.
I’m truly blessed because I have quite a few REAL good friends that always been there for me. Same with friends that I made while living abroad … they are always there when I want to visit … even if we don’t have regular contact.
That’s for me true friendship.
It has nothing to do with talking on the phone every second week … it’s all about always being there for each other when it matters.
So looking forward to meeting up with Iris again .. and that BBQ in the summer is going to be great fun, because one of the girls I haven’t seen for 30 years …
“Lovers comes and goes, true friends stays forever”
Me
As my cloud I have chosen Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe’s “Barcelona” – because during our lunch we found out that both of us loves Barcelona and Freddie – so it was a natural choice for me. The song was released in 1987 – and it became the music theme for the Summer Olympic games in Barcelona 1992.
Oh how wonderful, Viveka – I am so happy for you!
Thanks, Julie! It was a great lunch.
How beautiful to meet with an old friend. This should be so exciting too… Wonderful photographs and post, Thank you dear Viveka, have a nice week, love, nia
Thank you so much, Nia … it was a truly great afternoon and lunch.
What a wonderful meet and greet as well as exploration in a beautiful place 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
… really nice place for lunch and so popular just 1 min walk from the station and the harbor. Look forward to see Iris again.
I LOVE FREDDIE AND MONTSERRAT CABALLE SINGING BARCELONA!!!!!!!!!!!!
🙂
Beautiful post Viveka. I would love to go in those old buildings. With a friend.
Promise that we will go there … when you come and visit. Stunning building in most cities and towns over here.
“Lovers comes and goes, true friends stays forever-” YES, INDEED! Thanks for an amazing post! Thanks for your amazing friendship!
Aina, thank you so much … it goes two ways – our friendship.
If I have one dream, Wivi, other than Vancouver, that’ll be Sweden. And that is to see you and give you big hug. You’re an exceptional woman, from courage, to style, and not to mention humor, you’re the best! Thank you for everything!
You’re now elected to president of my official fan club! Thanks for all your kind words and you are welcome to Sweden .. whenever you feel for it.
Wow! I’m honored! Seriously, I am, Wivi! I am thy humble fan! Loveu
True friendship is like a magnet. If it is not meant to be, after you meet after a long hiatus, the other goes away and not come back while there are those that lingers despite the long absence. Am happy for you!
Thank you so much. Yes, I’m so lucky with my friends!
It is always so nice to bump into and have reunions with old friends… makes one feel young again when talking about the old days…
Yes, strange that good old days is never seems to be anything else than good. Hopefully we will now create some upcoming good memories again together.
That must of been quite the trip down memory lane to meet up with an old friend and enjoy the sights! beautiful and delicious photos Viveka 🙂
Thank you very much, Andy! Yes it was a great couple of hours with Iris.
Yes to this – “Lovers comes and goes, true friends stays forever.”
Thank you, Sasha.
How fun and exciting for you and your friend. I love stories like these. Thank you for sharing it, and those beautiful photos. Look forward to reading your blog after you get together again with more of those friends.
Yes, Iris has been reading my blog for quite a while and of course will come back when we have met up again. So thankful that she took contact with me.
It’s always so good to find someone that you haven’t seen in ages. It sounds like you had a wonderful time catching up with your old friend.
Yes, it was – thank you, can’t believe where all the years has gone.
Sounds like a perfect lunch! These are the best friendships, where your conversation picks up like you’d never spent any time apart! 🙂
Yes, so true … so glad that she took contact with me last year.
Oh I am so glad you two had a wonderful time. Old friends never die, they just get better like an old wine
Very true …. it was great to meet up with Iris.
It’s so nice to meet up with old friends. Your photos of Knutpunkten are lovely. I can’t remember what blue sky looks like – it’s been so grey and dreary here. And the food! Your lunch looks fabulous – so delicious. Glad you had a nice day. ~FTW
I am a great fan of Freddie’s; I can remember now hearing on the radio the day that he passed – such a tragedy
Yes, what a lost of a fanastic … artist – been too many of them that has left us far too soon.
I just read a week before he passed away that he was sick. – got a shock over the news.
This is such a nice story! The best friendships are those, where you can just pick up the loose ends you left the last time and start from there, as if nothing has happened (even if there are 23 years in-between) 🙂
When BARCELONA was released I went right into the store and bought the CD. Great choice, dear Viveka! 🙂
I did the same … with the CD – some powerful piece of music. Long time since I played it … so it was great to add it to the post. Yes, friendship is fantastic gift … and when it’s on hold for many years and then woken to life again … it’s a very special treat.
Very true. I really sounded like you two ladies had a wonderful time 🙂
Friendship is the best thing – nothing is like old friends, they know you and you don’t have to say so much…it’s just to feel comfortable with each other and enjoy. I’m glad you found each other again! When you have grown up together or shared some working time together or studies – that old feeling is bound to come back…
And the music choice – superb as usual! I love that one, have always done. What a couple!
Yes, what a couple they are – his voice was so powerful – and hers are truly massive *smile
You’re so right that feelings and connection comes back when meeting again – remarkable really.
Friendship is something very strong – have been asked a couple of times about what could live without from the life I have today – and I always said I could live without everything … so long as I don’t lose my friends.
I have a couple of friendships like the one you describe–they are wonderful. I am so happy that you got to meet up together.
Thanks, Heather .. yes, it’s truly great that we have contact again.
What fun! Good friends and good food; what a delicious combination.
Glad you had such a nice reunion luncheon.
Thanks a lot – looking forward to the BBQ in the summer with the other girls and I hope of course that Iris and I will be able to meet up again before that.
Such a beautiful reunion with your friend…what a treat for your soul 🙂
Yes, you’re so right … that friends are a treat for the soul – like that.
Happy for you Viveka 🙂 I too treasure my few true friends, that don’t expect me to be in touch everyday, but I know will drop everything for me if I need them. Love the quote 🙂
Thanks … *smile
I don’t understand what people talk about when they talk every day, I’m not very good on making phone calls – truely bad. The main thing is that we are there for each other when it really matters and – that we have time to meet up a couple of times per year.
Sounds like a wonderful reunion. And a wonderful lunch.
Yes, it was a great afternoon and of course I hope for more of them. Nice that she lives so close. Have 2 friends that has left Gothenburg for Skåne.
Beautiful crystal chandeliers, good food, and an old friend…..what more could you ask of a lunch date? 🙂
*smile .. the place was full of those chandeliers – a nice handsome man … I wouldn’t mind adding to the picture. *smile
It is so nice when we have the opportunity to rekindle a friendship. I know you are looking forward to your reunion.
Yes, it’s like on of my old colleagues send me his email address in his X-mas card and we have got contact again … after 20 years – fantastic.