Half way through July

Well July is challenge month for us Global Corporate Challenge walkers and I thought I should report our stats - although I am not sure that we are doing as well as we were in the begining. Also a quick look at where in the world I am now (no not Canberra).

My Steps on Friday =12,391
Sole Sistaz Team average steps = 11,021
My average steps = 10,572

this means that my average is increasing, but not really enough.


I am currently in Orebro in Sweeden, it is about 14 degrees - good for walking.
Orebro is a lovely little village that sits on the Swedish plains surrounded by vast forests. Surprisingly, for a village in central Sweden where temperatures can be 'less than tropical' the town has an open-air museum and Northern Europe's largest water fun park (competition may be a bit thin on the ground for this honour around these parts). However, the city park has been voted Sweden's most beautiful and considering how beautiful the rest of the country is, that's saying something.

Sweden is a country that sits somewhere between a capitalist country and a socialist state. The Swedes enjoy many tax funded benefits including; fully funded childcare, parental leave, a ceiling on health care costs, tax-funded education (all levels including university), retirement pensions and tax-funded dental care. Parents are also entitled to a total of 480 days partly paid leave between birth and a child's eighth birthday, with 60 days reserved specifically for each parent, in effect providing the father with two so-called "daddy-months.” On the other side of the coin Sweden is one of the highest taxed nations on earth (to pay for all the services) and is home to Ericsson, Electrolux, Husqvarna, IKEA, SAAB, Skandia, Tetra Pak and Volvo – companies who have often put the cap back into capitalism. So Sweden is beautiful, expensive, caring and known for quality companies...an interesting mix.

POPULATION
98,237

LOCAL DISHES
Meat-stuffed cabbage rolls, accompanied by cream and lingonberry preserves. Please note that you can get lingonberry preserves at IKEA in Sydney.

Now all I need is a translator - where is Sussie when I need her?