Wednesday

Drove in completly the wrong direction (west) to fill up LPG which we is we use for the habitation (cooking, heating and fridge) for 40 mins to find a small one man band who was not even in residence.  Ho hum.

Drove east to the airport to collect the Aged Ps.  Slight detour to SE Stockholm to a garage that did sell LPG (apparently only 35 LPG stations in Sweden) and could not work out which Autogas attachment to use and how to make the pump actually deliver the gas … 30 mins later with a little help we were on our way again.  Another learning curve, but a vital one.  We’ll know for next time.

Visited the Vasa Museum.  Bit of a drive through the city centre … cast London from your mind as nothing like that, traffic wise.  Parked and lunched in the large tourist bus parking.  Went to check with Vasa Museum staff if we could stay there … ticket man left his post, walked out with me, spoke to tourist bus driver and came to the conclusion that whilst the bus drivers did not mind as it is not high season and not busy, there was no guarantee we would not get a parking ticket.  Such helpfulness you would never encounter at home.  K wrote a windscreen note that we had asked about parking, and had a lame 78 year old with us (K’s Dad – fit as a flea!) with us.  No parking fine, but not busy 🙂

The Aged P’s and K had all visited the Vasa previously, but happy to revisit – truely amazing.  It went down in 1628 on its maiden voyage as too top heavy by far and ressurected in 1959 BUT what is so amazing is the cold and lack of salt mean it is 98% intact.  The details on the carvings etc are stunning.  Really impressive.

Incredible ornate carvings

98% intact from 1600s

Very top heavy to keeled over on maiden voyage

Campsite fine if a little faded – Aged P’s cabin basic but has necessaries.  Can park Chardonnay adjacent.  BBQ.

Thursday

Tunnelbahn into Stockholm City centre.  Wide open streets, government buildings and water, water everywhere.  Did a walk around the main parts of the city to see where some palaces which are now largely Gov buildings.  Crossed into Gamla Stan, the old city island. Hoped to join a walking tour, but no show on tour guide so used guide book and did our own tour.  More former palaces now Gov buildings and narrow charismatic streets.  Charming and attractive.  BBQ.

Water aand views at every turn

Buildings are painted red tp look like brick or yellow like stone

Not so distant shores

The Aged Ps

Typical corner

Wrought iron church steeple

We knw what you were doing – Dad vacating public toilet

James’ turn – told to “Pisoir Off”

Centre of Gamla Stan – the old town

Back of the Opera House