Stockholm, Sweden
This past week I've in Stockholm; capital city of Sweden, and staying with Carl Pålsson. Carl is at University in the south of the city, studying Politics and International Relations, and hoping to work abroad in an embassy. He's living in a nice, but tiny one-bed flat and I've spent the week there on an airbed that filled most of it. Carl is a clever chap, with refined tastes (compared to me anyway) and has a style very much his own. He's therefore a fountain of knowledge, good company and a great cook!
Now for weeks I've been sleeping, eating and doing stuff at completely different times every day, but this week has seen a return to some sort of routine because I've been staying with someone who lives in the 'real world'. It's basically consisted of getting up at 7ish, breakfast, cycle into Stockholm, look at stuff, cycle home for 8, tea, movie, bed. Like being back at work... or not.
The weather all week has been brilliant - 22º and sunny every day. Having come from Lapland it's nice to come back to summer, even if it is the end if it. In fact I can't remember the last time it did rain...
Thursday 5th
Cruised around on the bike, through the main centre and small parks. Found the bank where the term 'Stockholm Syndrome' was coined after a heist, and went to the Swedish Architectural Museum. Later, Carl turned up and we had a look around Gamla Stan - the medieval-era area of town. Came across an interesting Russian antiques shop and went for a beer in a cool blues bar.
Cruised around on the bike, through the main centre and small parks. Found the bank where the term 'Stockholm Syndrome' was coined after a heist, and went to the Swedish Architectural Museum. Later, Carl turned up and we had a look around Gamla Stan - the medieval-era area of town. Came across an interesting Russian antiques shop and went for a beer in a cool blues bar.
Friday 6th
Museum overload! Went to the Swesish History museum briefly (free but boring), the Swedish sports museum where I was the only visitor, and the science and technology museum. They had an exhibit on the 100 greatest innovations, so I was right at home.
Museum overload! Went to the Swesish History museum briefly (free but boring), the Swedish sports museum where I was the only visitor, and the science and technology museum. They had an exhibit on the 100 greatest innovations, so I was right at home.
Saturday 7th
Took a leisurely boat cruise up the estuary to Drottingholm Palace, the main residence of the Swedish Royal Family. A grand baroque building; the family live in one half and the other is open to the public. I got told off by museum staff twice in 5 minutes for taking pictures and touching the floor. So hang me!
Took a leisurely boat cruise up the estuary to Drottingholm Palace, the main residence of the Swedish Royal Family. A grand baroque building; the family live in one half and the other is open to the public. I got told off by museum staff twice in 5 minutes for taking pictures and touching the floor. So hang me!
Sunday 8th
A very relaxing stary to the day gently cruising in the sun around the Woodland Cemetery in the Stockholm suburbs - a very unique UNESCO protected area that is part large landscaped public park, part cemetery and grows by 3,000 headstones a year.
A very relaxing stary to the day gently cruising in the sun around the Woodland Cemetery in the Stockholm suburbs - a very unique UNESCO protected area that is part large landscaped public park, part cemetery and grows by 3,000 headstones a year.
I rode on to the Vasa museum. Back in the 1600s, the Swedish Navy built a boat called the Vasa which was too ambitious in design, and sank within a mile. In the 1960s they found, salvaged and restored it, and it's now in a museum. I believe it's the oldest salvaged ship in the world and quite a sight.
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| The vasa |
Finished the day by cycling around Djurgarden island, one of the many islands that make up Stockholm, then back to a treat of Wild boar steak (shot at Krageholm), runner beans and roast wedges for tea.
Monday
Cycled to Fotografiska photography gallery for a look at the current exhibitions by Pieter Hugo and Helmet Newton (no I had no idea who they were either), then rode around Haga park - a huge royal park north of the city.
Cycled to Fotografiska photography gallery for a look at the current exhibitions by Pieter Hugo and Helmet Newton (no I had no idea who they were either), then rode around Haga park - a huge royal park north of the city.
Tuesday
After a late start I cycled the long way into town for a change, too much routine!
After a late start I cycled the long way into town for a change, too much routine!
Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite was from Stockholm, and left his fortune for the Nobel prize which is held there every year. I went to the Nobel Museum which showcases his life, the prize winners, and and exhibit on the quest for world peace. All very interesting.
Carl had requested some Cornish Cuisine, so that night I cooked pastys for the second time in my life. A bad workman always blames his tools, and I'm a shoddy chef. With no scales, rolling pin etc they looked terrible, but thankfully tasted fairly good. I miss pastys!
Wednesday
Cycled to the Scania lorry factory south of Stockholm for a look. As expected, huge, and with a free museum on Scanny over the years.
Cycled to the Scania lorry factory south of Stockholm for a look. As expected, huge, and with a free museum on Scanny over the years.
A beautiful city, a fun week. I'd seen all I wanted and felt I should give Carl a bit of space back, so that afternoon I hopped on a train to Gothenburg, which resulted in a pretty crummy ending to the day. I'll leave you hanging on that note...
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| Early morning Stockholm skyline |
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| Old town |
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