Batman Brian

A blog by Brian Carson

17 May 2023

All views in this blog are my own.

I have just left Sweden and have written a short blog on my experiences during my time there.

Travel Complications

As advised previously I arrived in Stockholm for this competition late afternoon on Thursday 11th May. Unfortunately my luggage did not as it was left behind in Heathrow airport having missed my flight connection. Luckily there were a few later flights that evening and I was reunited with my luggage at midnight after a worrying few hours. 

Who knew I could get so upset over a missing table tennis bat or that I would be so happy when it finally arrived. I did thankfully avoid the schoolboy error of lost Parkinson’s medication as I always carry this in hand luggage, no matter the length of trip and quantities involved. The potential impact of not having my medication available is just not worth the risk.

Despite the lost luggage worry it was a casual start to the trip with a leisurely dinner and a beer before the long wait at the hotel for the midnight luggage delivery.

Friday

The weekend competition schedule was quite full and as a result there was no time for a Parkinson’s mixed doubles competition. Coach Pelle remedied this by arranging a pre tournament practice and an unofficial mixed doubles competition at Sparvagens TT club on Friday afternoon.

This was a gentle introduction to the weekend activities and a chance to catch up with everyone as they arrived. It was also nice to visit and play at a club that is home to so many of my  Swedish friends that I have only read about and seen in photographs. We had a great afternoon and some of the regular non Parkinson’s club players took the time to practice with us.

At Sparvagens TT Club

All together at Sparvagens

The dinner that never was!

After the session at Sparvagens and before we relocated to Tammsvig, an hour north of Stockholm, 12 of us had arranged to have a dinner together. On arrival at the restaurant the staff advised that as we were a large party the wait for food would be around 45 minutes. This was not seen as a problem and we had some drinks and snacks as we caught up and looked forward to the weekend. However, 45 minutes turned into 90 minutes and when the food finally started arriving it was one plate at a time and at some point we realised there were three dinners “missing”, including mine. When challenged, the staff showed no remorse and viewed the problem as our fault for being too large a group. We decided to cut our losses and leave to make our way to Tammsvig, and on arrival discovered it was too late to have any food prepared at the hotel. So early bed for me with no dinner, and it was pointed out to me once or twice that I could benefit from missing an occasional meal.🙁

Too many for dinner?

Saturday – Sweden Veteran Open Day 1

The event location was in Kungsangen, a 15 minute commute from Tammsvig by minibus.

The Parkinson’s events Early start as first matches kicked off at 09:00. Mens doubles first and in a very tight group Seppo Mäkinen and I topped the group after a sets and points count back. We qualified to play in the knockout round on Sunday. 

I have known Seppo since we met at a training camp last year and he is always fun to play with as he has a quick wit and makes me laugh with his comments during matches. Thanks to his son Sami for taking some great photographs during our matches.

In the afternoon I played in a men’s singles group of 4 and came second to progress to the singles knockout round also on Sunday.

After such a long day it was nice to relax at the event dinner and enjoy some very nice food, a few drinks and continue to socialise as a group.

Sunrise at the hotel, the venue, and a tight doubles group. (Look at the score)

Sunday – Sweden Veteran Open Day 2 (final day)

Another early start and it was straight into the doubles knockout round.  Probably should have been in bed earlier on Saturday night but the event dinner was good fun.
Another early start and it was straight into the doubles knockout round.  Probably should have been in bed earlier on Saturday night but the event dinner was good fun.

Seppo and I caused an upset in the doubles quarter final defeating Damasio and Maik 3-1. No one saw that coming including us but we were worth the win. 

After the quarter final

We then played Lars and Hamid in the semi final but they were too strong for us.

Seppo and I with Lars and Hamid

Next it was knockout singles and I lost the match to a Swede who was just too good for me.

Relaxing between matches

During the group matches it is standard practice for the non players to umpire some matches. Umpires are identified on the group match schedule and this ensures the load is evenly distributed among the group players. I was also asked to umpire some Parkinson’s ladies doubles matches. I have commented previously during other competitions I found this additional role both tiring and stressful. However the atmosphere at this event was much more casual and I was happy to do this for a few matches and enjoyed the experience.

In the afternoon I started playing in the handicap singles but had to withdraw after one match due to my transport leaving for Stockholm. A bit disappointing especially as I was given a generous handicap of +8 😂.

I had a great few days with old and new friends and the positive attitude of everyone involved is infectious and makes these events special and enjoyable.

A great facility and well run event in a friendly atmosphere. Kudos to the organisers of the Veteran Tournament for including the Parkinson’s events for the first time.

Monday/Tuesday

I spent Monday and Tuesday out and about around Stockholm and seen some famous and some not so famous landmarks. A busy couple of days with a lot crammed in but I enjoyed the experience. On Monday evening I took the train out of the city to Rotebro to have dinner with Lin, Peter and Damasio, and we had a very nice evening together.  

They say bad things happen in three’s and after the missing luggage and the dinner without dinner, I still had strike 3 to come. It arrived on the way back into the city from Lin’s by train. I fell asleep and missed my stop. On waking up I had a very confusing few seconds as I my brain tried to figure out what I was doing on a train with non English words on all the notices. 🤪  Fortunately I was able to get off at the next station and find my way to the hotel through unfamiliar territory. 

A Sunday evening beer by the river 🍺

A thoroughly enjoyable trip to Sweden. Thank you to all involved in making me feel so welcome.

Now onto the next phase 🇩🇪

End.