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Hazel and Ted in Scandinavia
  • Hazel and Ted's Journeys
  • Hazel and Ted's Journeys

Hazel and Ted in Scandinavia

No travelling since Corsica & Sardinia except for a quick trip to Lanzarote so here goes…… Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 5, 2025
    Hazel and Ted's JourneysHazel and Ted in ScandinaviaHazel and Ted's Journeys
    Number 10, Highcross Hill, the usual starting place!
    Number 10, Highcross Hill, the usual starting place!And PLF station-here we are again!The start.... Radisson Blu Hotel

    Stockholm & Copenhagen-adventure begins!

    June 5, 2025 in England ⛅ 15 °C

    So….. Ted and I are presently in the Bar at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport. Shades of 2009 as we all stayed here, en famille, prior to our USA trip for Ted’s 60th. Alas, 16 years have ensued before we could get here again but no time to waste. One of the reasons for staying here tonight is that I broke my right ankle only 5 and a half weeks ago and it’s nearer than most of the hotels to the Terminal. Indeed, I write this with my foot up on the seat! Health wise, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster since my second hip operation in Dec 2024 followed by a few hiccoughs with a fast heart rate and ensuing medication but….. here we are on our first trip abroad since Oct 2024.
    Setting out from Highcross Hill as usual this morning we took the train to Manchester Airport. Having booked into the Radisson we are now imbibing of strong liquor (!) before our evening meal. This is a departure from Great Railway Journeys as we are with Riviera this time. Three nights in Stockholm and 3 in Copenhagen. Time to get my confidence back!    Read more

  • Hazel and Ted's JourneysHazel and Ted in ScandinaviaHazel and Ted's Journeys
    Hotel knew I was coming!
    Hotel knew I was coming!Have to find out which church this isCentral Railway StationBlue and yellow of Sweden's flagsSwedish Royals!Surf and Turf for tea!

    Stockholm here we come!

    June 6, 2025, North Sea ☁️ 11 °C

    Great hotel but overly hot all night long-wonder why neither of us thought to lower the temperature on the air con 🤔😳! A bit of a trek to T1 where we checked in but no sign of the booked “assistance”. Not wishing to make a fuss, I took it all in my stride (literally) and walked it out to breakfast then the gate.
    Uneventful flight of two hours on SAS into Stockholm then, after meeting Shane (trusty Riviera Rep) we then had to wait another two and a half hours for the Gatwick (delayed) flight! Some old codgers were visibly annoyed by this but we seasoned travellers were unfazed! A 40 minute bus drive brought us into Stockholm to the Scandic Hotel. By this time a slow drizzle had set in but no time to lose as it was now 5pm and it just happens to be Sweden’s National Day, a National Holiday since 2005 celebrating freedom from the Danes apparently. I donned my trusty raincoat and out we trogged to the Palace and thankfully were in time to see the Swedish Royal Family leaving the Palace in a procession to celebrate the National Day. I do love a Royal Family and saw King Carl Gustav and then Crown Princess Vicky quite up close and personal! By this time I had walked 11 and a half thousand steps/the most I have walked in a couple of months 😬 and the ankle is looking a little swollen! A quick drink in a bar then off to nearby Stockholm Fisk (a 🐟 restaurant recommended by Shane).    Read more

  • Hazel and Ted's JourneysHazel and Ted in ScandinaviaHazel and Ted's Journeys
    Swedish soldiers guard entrance to the Royal Palace
    Swedish soldiers guard entrance to the Royal PalaceThe Silver Throne where Queen Kristina was crowned back in the day1Here they are again! Present King Carl Gustav XVI and Crown Princess Vicky!Splendid chandelierAnd more chandeliers on the banqueting hallToday's Majesties-King CG and wife Queen SilviaThe balcony here is only two years' old apparentlyOur guide with the "Iron Boy" of StockholmGamla Stan streetsAnd againNobel Prize Museum-former home of Swedish AcademieProtest by Chinese people who are not able to protest in China3Colourful houses/restaurants in main squareThe ABBA Party! No chance of that but may get to the ABBA museum tomorrowA flea marketThe Vasa WarshipAnother awkward selfie!

    Stockholm

    June 7, 2025 in Sweden ☁️ 13 °C

    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

  • Hazel and Ted's JourneysHazel and Ted in ScandinaviaHazel and Ted's Journeys
    National Museum
    National Museum1Moi!Ted!Outside view of the Vasa Museum from yesterdayNational flag raised daily provided Sweden is at peace-200 years of raising! No World War joiningCruise ship terminalDjurgarden Island where we visited yesterday. Vasa Museum and funfair!Typical buildings from 16/17th century

    Free day in Stockholm

    June 8, 2025 in Sweden ☁️ 18 °C

    A bit of a lie-in (unknown with Great Rail!) and a later breakfast. No rain. On balance we decided the best option would be to do the Hop-on, Hop-off bus with boat trip. The day flew by and the bus trip gave us a greater insight as to how Stockholm is set out on its 14 islands. The bus tour lasted 2 hours then we took the 1 hour boat trip on the Baltic Sea side. The commentary educated us re Swedish history, education, natural resources, present world status. Little of the immigration problem was mentioned and indeed we have seen little of the homelessness and drugs problems seen on recent TV programmes. Sunrise was a little after 3am so thank goodness for the blackout curtains in the room. The last time we were in Stockhom was from a cruise ship and we were able to see how we’d walked into the city then.Read more

  • Hazel and Ted's JourneysHazel and Ted in ScandinaviaHazel and Ted's Journeys
    Anyone for the fast train to Malmo?
    Anyone for the fast train to Malmo?12.25 and indeed it left bang on time.Malmo StationAnd I was there too!Onward to DenmarkCopenhagen StationBikes, bikes and more bikesBikes are a thing here!The Royal Run 2025So many participantsAnd they keep on coming....Couldn't really appreciate the Oresund Bridge from inside the train.

    Fast train to Malmo

    June 9, 2025 in Sweden ☁️ 16 °C

    We are finding the pace of this trip quite sedate in comparison to previous trips with Great Rail where minimal sleep is allowed and an early start is always before 7am! This morning allowed a leisurely breakfast and the departure time was 11.25-a short walk to Central Station for the 12.25 speedy train to Malmo. Central Station was bright, clean, lavishly supplied with every sort of cafe, juice bar, shop but here we saw homeless people searching through bins and begging for a bit of cash.
    Ted and I (of course) had backwards-facing seats but hey ho and soon the suburbs of Stockholm were left far behind.
    As half of Sweden’s population live in Stockholm or its surrounds and 70% of the country is forest, the scenery from the train comprised forests, lakes, clumps of trees with the very occasional house. Several stops along the way and then into Malmo at 16.52 (just about four and a half hours).
    Shane then directed the group towards the correct platform for the Oresund Bridge train to Copenhagen. Unfortunately there is one couple on the trip that really shouldn’t be here/the poor old chap moves at a snail’s pace and has great difficulty getting on/off trains and coaches, let alone sorting out their own bags. Shane is required to manhandle the poor old chap (literally) off transport and other members of the group help with their luggage. Ted was a chief helper when we arrived at the hotel and the poor old soul couldn’t get off the bus! To think I was bothered about not being able to come on this holiday after the broken ankle. I took a video whilst on the Oresund Bridge from Malmo to Copenhagen but as we were actually on the train on the bridge it was all a bit of an anticlimax as we couldn’t view the bridge in all its glory.
    Copenhagen Scandic Hotel is quite different from its counterpart in Stockholm… higher floor, more modern, bigger room but fine. Drank and ate at nearby bar and watched some of the 96,000 participants of this year’s Royal Run go by. Reminded me of the Great North Run. Great atmosphere, live music but no sightings of the Danish Royal Family who take part every year, much to my disappointment Liam!    Read more

  • Hazel and Ted's JourneysHazel and Ted in ScandinaviaHazel and Ted's Journeys
    The lovely gardens of Rosenberg castle
    The lovely gardens of Rosenberg castle2Lovely lavender, red roses and other blue flowersThe most famous icon of CopenhagenWith a large Moi in the foreground!This is where the Royals gather whilst waiting to get aboard the Royal YachtGoddess Gefion's fountain (changed her 4 kids into oxen-don't ask!)Churchill Park (Danes were grateful after the War)Present King's grandad Frederik the IXEdward VII plaque in St Albans Anglican churchAmalienborg PalaceParliament BuildingBack of Parliament building1Lunch at Magasin du Nord, Copenhagen's HarrodsSelf explanatorySelf explanatoryIconic Copenhagen image-NyhavnRain, rain and more rain!The lovely Magasin du Nord

    Copenhagen

    June 10, 2025 in Denmark 🌧 13 °C

    I am now positively patting myself on the back for bringing the mac! Drizzling today so on the coach by 9.30 for our sightseeing tour around Copenhagen. First stop-Rosenberg Palace Gardens-not the Palace itself where the Crown Jewels are kept. This was followed by a quick visit to the (extremely) Little Mermaid, the impressive water fountain dedicated to the goddess Gefion, the only Anglican church in Copenhagen, with a plaque dedicated to Edward VII after his death by his widow the (Danish) Queen Alexandra of the UK, the Danish Parliament Building, Amalienborg Palace where my favourite European Royals live (Mary, Fred and the kids) ending up at the multi-coloured canal-side at Nyhavn. Released from the coach, Ted and I then hot-footed it to the Harrods of Copenhagen on the 5th floor to partake of smorgasbord and vino …. When in Rome and all that. It was raining pretty hard by this time so we had a dabble on the Metro and went to visit the Museum to Danish Resistance during WWII which was very interesting. Still battling the rain, following this, we walked back past Mary and Fred’s gaff to Nyhavn to take a picture, saviour the atmosphere and watch the rain over a cold drink. As my ankle was fairly giving me gip by this time we Metroed again back to our hotel and decided to have dinner in the hotel.Read more

  • Hazel and Ted's JourneysHazel and Ted in ScandinaviaHazel and Ted's Journeys
    The Viking Museum
    The Viking MuseumMaking more long boats!Bellows to mend!Ted posing!Don't look that safe to meIn front of one of the 5 reclaimed shipsAnd here's anotherAnd another!Lunch!Roskilde CathedralRoskilde SquareFrederiksborg CastleAnd againTed with a gargoyle!The church within the castleA bit of the alternative weird modern art stuff amongst the old stuff!FountainView from the grounds

    Further afield from Copenhagen

    June 11, 2025 in Denmark 🌬 17 °C

    10 am set off and one hour’s drive to the Viking Ship Museum at Roskilde. I am struck by the complete lack of rubbish on the pristine streets-no litter at all to be found. There is the odd poor soul scouring the litter bins for empty cans so perhaps money can be had for returning these. Bike lanes everywhere and woe betide those who step out to cross the road without looking out for cyclists. Motorway traffic was sparse to say the least as the outskirts of Copenhagen were left behind-a nice change from the M60!
    Nice and sunny today but with a cool breeze. One and a half hour visit to learn about the Vikings and see the 5 long boats salvaged from the Roskilde Fjord. There was a film to give you the facts plus demos of boat building, rope making, sail making and you could even go for a ride on a long boat.
    Onwards then to Roskilde Cathedral. Roskilde used to be the capital and 40 kings and queens are laid to rest there. Queen Marguerite II has designed her sarcophagus and has got her niche ready for the big day! Her father and mother are bizarrely outside of the cathedral in an unmarked but closed off area of their own. A quick smorgasbord again for lunch before going to visit Frederiksborg Castle, which comprises both the Museum of Natural History and the Danish National Portrait Gallery. This Renaissance Castle dates back to the time of Christian IV (1588-1648) who liked to gather lots of stuff and show it off! Impressive garden at the back too. Back at the hotel for 6pm.    Read more

  • Hazel and Ted's JourneysHazel and Ted in ScandinaviaHazel and Ted's Journeys
    Cherries and strawberries!
    Cherries and strawberries!Maybe a more successful selfie on the canal boat!Where the royal family board the royal yacht from the river sideGoing under one of the bridgesCoffee stop with rhubarb cake!Lovely fountain at AmalienborgMarble Church in backgroundNot a withered flower or leaf to be seen!Another lovely fountain in these pleasant outdoor spacesInside the Marble ChurchThe CathedralVideo from the water side of NyhavnLittle Mermaid in the Hotel LobbyOur tea...... 😬

    Last day!

    June 12, 2025 in Denmark ☀️ 20 °C

    Checked out after breakfast and left luggage in hotel. Actually then did 10k steps by the time we returned! Walked through the “posh” part of Copenhagen with the likes of Tiffany’s, Gucci, Breitling, etc to be gazed at as well as discovering lovely squares, fountains and churches which we hadn’t seen before. Walked to the harbour and took a canal trip which was really lovely and put areas in perspective. Visited Amalienberg Square again just in time to see the changing of the guard then walked between two of the 4 palaces to beautiful gardens and fountains. From there to the Marble Church, 3rd largest dome after St Peter’s in Rome and St Paul’s in London. We took the Metro then to nearer our hotel and found the Cathedral where Fred and Mary were married 21 years ago-very interesting to me. The weather is perfect here today-sunny but not too hot. Walked back to the hotel and hung around for the coach to the airport.

    I really don’t know how these things happen to us….
    We get to Copenhagen Airport and Shane goes in with the Gatwick lot to help them get sorted. The Manchester Fifteen walk on to Terminal 3. Surprisingly, no-one can sort out their check-in on the automated machines so we queue up at the SAS desk, much to Shane’s obvious irritation and maybe a bit of disbelief that not one of us can operate the automatic check-in. Then it appears there is an “issue”….. SAS tell us we aren’t on their flight list but should have flown yesterday. Shock horror all round with Shane on his mobile to Riviera Office toute suite. After an hour of Shane being on his mobile phone he tells us that Riviera insist their paperwork has us on today’s flight but SAS beg to differ. More deliberations ensue. We should have flown about 5.30pm but negotiations resulted in 8 of us going with SAS at 8.40 pm and the remaining 7 at 8.50 pm with BA BUT both flights to Heathrow. Lots of expletives all round.
    Suffice it to say that the SAS8 and the BA7 all made it back to Heathrow and were reunited in Terminal 5. A representative from Riviera who looked about 14 took us to the coach and at the time of writing (23.45) we are speeding up the M1 towards Manchester, ETA 2.08 am.
    Actually arrive 2.30 am and got a taxi from T1 arrivals. The M60 was a desert! Back by 3.30 am and in bed for 4. Must have been quiet as James didn’t realise we were home when he got up for work.
    Enjoyed both countries-very “white”, ordered, prosperous, litter-free, no swearing or disorder in the streets that we saw. No doubt there are problems behind the facade with immigration and drugs as we saw on a recent tv programme but we were there for such a short time and not exposed to anything like that. Small populations-easy for the UK visitor as people switch seamlessly to speak English-long histories of power seeking monarchs, conquering Vikings and collections of wealth. Loved it!
    Footnote: the delightful Riviera lady rang and gave us £200 each back plus taxi cost and food costs at airport! Worth being delayed for! 😬    Read more

    Trip end
    June 12, 2025