In the year 2000, a lot changed in the beach volleyball world. So many rules changed and in 2004 already, a new tradition on the Gold Coast was started to honor the old rules in beach volleyball: Olskool Bash. A tournament just for fun playing with the old rules. I missed out on this last year unfortunately, but did manage to find a willing partner to try this out and we did come up with the best outfits for it.
How often would you see Sweden’s David Åhman play with Canada’s Brandie Wilkerson?
The last day of this trip was upon us, and it greeted us with a forecast of 30C and clear blue skies. And since the games didn’t start until 1pm, we had the whole morning to explore Adelaide in the beautiful weather. We had breakfast out in Glenelg where we met up with a few other Gold Coasters and Laura’s cousin. It was busy and we had to wait a bit, but it was a really good breakfast. We had a look at the beach courts on the beach where some other Gold Coasters were playing, but that line to Quing of the Court did not seem like my idea of fun. This was a trip about enjoying the sport from afar, even though it was itching in my fingers the whole week to play myself.
Saturday was all about those four semifinals. And rain. I thought it was Melbourne which was famous for all seasons in one day, but Adelaide has been weird with the weather. When we arrived, it was sunny, but icy cold winds and as soon as the sun set, it got freezing! Bring our puffer jackets was definitely a good idea. Then comes Saturday, warmer than previous days, but wet. Different kind of wet from QLD though. Much lighter. The drops just seem to be heavy back home. And spoiler for Sunday (since this is written after the event), Adelaide, South Australia, offered 30C and clear blue skies. We got to experience it all during that week.
Friday meant Quarter Finals! And it also meant that everyone we know from Gold Coast flew in. And I guess everyone else as well. It had been fairly empty on the stands up until Friday evening when it all of a sudden pretty much filled up. I am so glad we flew earlier and see at least one game of my other favorite teams because from QF’s, the focus was only on Sweden.
This is where things really started happening. Lots of important games in one day. But first of all, brekkie, and a little walkaround in central Adelaide before the first game we wanted to watch.
I am trying to find the correct words for this experience, but it’s hard. Mikael and I have experienced the most important event in Swedish sports history. And it was my sport. How incredible is that? I still can’t believe we were there to be completely honest.
When tickets went on pre-sale in March 2025, I bought tickets the same day for Round of 16 all the way through to the finals. Surely Sweden would get to play at least a few of those games. Oh boy were we in for a surprise.
Title: Warbreaker
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 688
Published: 2009, Self-published
My Grade: 5 out of 5
Review Summary: The meaning behind colourful fantasy world-building and magic systems have got a whole new depth.
Title: Knife of Dreams
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: The Wheel of Time #11
Narrator: Michael Kramer and Kate Reading
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 32 hours 19 minutes
Published: 2005, MacMillan Audio (originally published 2005)
My Grade: 3 out of 5
Review Summary: A long-awaited turning point that finally breaks the “slog” with major character payoffs and a real sense that the Last Battle is finally within reach.
Eight weeks flew past and I can’t believe that what we had counted down so many months for, was gone before we knew it. She was here for a long time though and got to experience our new lives here with us.
Title: Wind and Truth
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Series: The Stormlight Archive #5
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 1344
Published: 2024, Tor Books
My Grade: 5 out of 5
Review Summary: I have never laughed out loud so much that I cried while reading before. I have never wanted to reach the destination while still wanting to keep the journey going this much.
Bemm 