I have just been bounced all around the Swedish telephone system trying to hire a car for my parents next week. I hate having to practice my Swedish over the phone, as I don’t get the little clues that I would otherwise receive from watching their lips and gestures. Mind you that might be a good thing as the signs they are making to their colleagues suggesting they have another English prat on the phone are maybe something I would prefer not to see. Anyway I think I managed it and I am quite proud of myself. Until my parents turn up in articulated lorry instead of a Peugeot 307 on Monday.