Stockholm

The ankle was no worse this morning so was called upon to traverse the cobbled streets of the Old Town. The coach dropped us at the Royal Palace which was interesting but not really a patch on Buck House. The Royal Family don’t actually live there but would hold a State Banquet there for visitors. Exiting it, we went round the old streets of Gamla Stan (old town) with the local guide. The weather is cold and blustery but no rain. Lots of groups of tourists. Just as I was thinking I would have to leave the group and elevate my ankle in a suitable cafe the tour ended in the main square where the Swedish Academie used to be but the building is now home to the Nobel Prize Museum. The Swedish Academie is now on the top floor of the impressive green and gold City Hall Building. Kind of embarrassing at the end of the tour as most of the group has no cash, Sweden is moving to a cashless society. ATMs are a scarcity. One couple were advised by their Bureau de Change not to bring any Swedish cash and most people don’t have any. Ted borrowed a fivers worth from Shane the Rep and gave it to the guide. Good Old Ted! I then hot-footed it into the nearest Konditori for a piece of strawberry flan and a cuppa with two paracetamol!
Onward then, using our Stockholm travel cards, onto the ferry to another island to visit the Vasa Museum. This vast warship, sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628 and lay on the ocean floor for 333 years before being salvaged in the 1950s and is on show at the museum-an impressive sight!Read more