17 September 2023

When will I learn? Rookie error, I know! I like to book early flights in order to make the most of our day in a new city or country. Stupidly, I always forget to factor in security and baggage checks, or travel time. So our 6 am flight meant a 4 am start. We set several alarms last night, in fear we would sleep through.

Our check-in was fully automated. We pressed buttons, scanned bits of paper, and hoped for the best. Out popped our boarding passes, and off whooshed our bags. Somewhere!! Without Emily to guide us, we simply crossed our fingers and hoped that our bags would turn up in the same place as us.

In order to travel from Bergen to Stockholm we were faced with two options. We could either fly via Oslo or fly via Copenhagen. Due to timing considerations, we chose Copenhagen. Just before landing, we spotted “The Bridge“. You know the one, between Sweden and Denmark!

We spent an hour or so in transit While there, we sampled the Danish coffee and the Danish Danish. They scored well. A good 7/10!

Our flight to Stockholm was delayed by 45 minutes. The captain cheerily apologised for the delay , telling us that our plane had been in for maintenance and it had taken a bit longer than expected. Yikes!!

Then, two amazing things happened. The first: our bags actually turned up on the carousel where we were waiting, and, second: we caught the train from the airport to the city centre and it travelled the 36 kms in 18 minutes, reaching a top speed of 197 kms per hour!! Amazing. Two times amazing!!

On our way from Stockholm Station, we took some time out to fulfil a promise to a mate. Here’s to you Rossco!

We found our way to our accommodation for the next two nights. It’s situated on the edge of Gamla Stan, the Old Town. The perfect location!

The streets are narrow and cobbled, the buildings are old and colourful.

There’s Palaces and Cathedrals, Restaurants and Cafes. And they are all within walking distance.

We dumped our bags and headed off to explore. We found the Royal Palace and just missed the “changing of the guard” (but we will try to catch it tomorrow). Of course, the Palace itself is closed this week, so we’ve missed a visit to the Royal Family as well.

Instead, we visited the Stockholm Cathedral. Yet another amazing piece of architecture filled with amazing stuff.

Grahame was quite taken by a guy called Lasse Skytte, whose effigy lies within the cathedral, beside that of his wife. He died in 1634, and as a extremely wealthy man, he left all his money “to improve the lot of the poor”. His heirs weren’t overly pleased about this and tried to contest his will, to no avail. His effigy’s nose was cut off. The perpetrator?? Probably one of Lasse’s disgruntled relatives. (At the time it was thought that the soul left the body through the nose, so this was the final act of vengeance)

I loved St George and the Dragon. The dragon looked amazing!!

We stuck our head in the door of the German St Gertrude’s Church.

Once again, it was beautiful, and once again we found something quirky!

We worked our way down to the waterfront, and headed over the bridge into the main part of town.

Along with half of Stockholm, we strolled through Kungsträdgården. There were flowers and fountains, cafes and restaurants, statues and shady walkways. People were playing chess, lazing on the grass, having picnics and simply enjoying the warmth and sunshine.

Now most parks and gardens around the world have statues to Kings and Queens, Heroes and Demons, but I’m thinking that it would be only in Sweden that you would find a sculpture dedicated to that other great national icon, Ikea.

We started to fade late afternoon and felt the need for a little rest before one final outing for dinner. The late afternoon sun lit up the buildings and made them glisten.

We found a cellar earlier in the day, that was now a quaint little cafe/ bar (by quaint, think dungeon! ) where we thought we would like dinner. So we did!!

It’s been a long day, passing through three different countries, after a very early start. We are pooped!

But, we are looking forward to tomorrow and exploring more of Stunning Stockholm.