Got there in the end

The drive to Karlstad today wasn't going to take more than three or four hours and so we decided we'd go and take a look at that Carl Larsson exhibition on our way.  We packed up, ate breakfast and retrieved our hire car to drive to the museum where we had difficulty parking.

By the time we finally reached the entrance to the museum, we were amused to see a huge crowd of ladies gathering there too - like a flock of starlings, they chattered and busied themselves then, as soon as the door opened, they swarmed inside to take off coats and get themselves together.

We joined a different queue, paid our entrance fee and snooked in ahead of the posse and enjoyed the exhibition immensely. Not only was the Larsson work breathtakingly beautiful, the Prince Eugen house adjoining the gallery was superb. In the spring sunshine, the light on the water made for a spectacular view and the immaculate fresh flower displays in every room brought the whole building to life.

The textile exhibit didn't quite do it for either of us, suprisingly, but we left feeling more than happy to have been able to see everything else.

The journey to Karlstad was uneventful and took us through a rather greyer landscape than we'd imagined.  Much snow lay alongside the road in places and there is little green to be seen in the countryside just yet.  In sharp contrast, the shop windows in town are full of yellow, green and pink Easter displays.  We imagine that everyone here must be longing for a little brightness after a long winter.

Tomorrow we plan to explore a little of the eastern side of Lake Vanern, so we hope for fine weather.

Good Evening

Our dinner at Den Gyldene Freden was terrific.  Though we were tempted by the set menu, we decided to make our own choices a la carte and cliche or no, my meatballs were superb and were served with delicious lingonberries (of course). Mark opted for something a little less obvious: Herring three ways followed by breaded pigstrotter and ham hock served with lentils.  I'd substituted a champagne cocktail for a starter... ;-)

We loved both our desserts.  He chose rhubarb jelly with various rhubarby accompaniments; I chose a similar raspberry assortment.  Yummy - and beautifully presented.

A good job we had a bit of a walk back to the hotel to work off some of that full tummy feeling!

Off to Karlstad tomorrow.

Role reversal

Leaving Terminal 5 this morning en route to Stockholm, we waited patiently as the plane was prepared and watched the crew board some fifteen or twenty minutes late.  Though we said nothing, there was something familiar about the First Officer...

As the Captain introduced himself and the crew (in a jovial, Radio 2 fashion which brought a smile to quite a few faces around us) we immediately recognised the name of his colleague in the driving seat.  The last time we'd been in his company, I'd been driving and he'd been in the back, for he was one of Edward's old schoolfriends.  This time, the roles were reversed and I'm pleased to say that he and his Captain did a grand job of getting us here safely and comfortably.

During the flight, he came back to see us and it was great to see another fine young man doing well in his career.  Sorry, Richard, we could see beyond that smart British Airways uniform -  you haven't really changed at all from the impish eleven year old who sat in the back of my car giggling on the way home!

Hej Stockholm!

I had a terrific day walking around the city, enjoying the sunshine and following recommendations from several blogs and websites. The whole city seemed to be out in the open air, relishing the arrival of Springtime. The cafes had put out tables and chairs (and blankets) and the flower stalls were not only well stocked with plants and flowers, but also brightly coloured feathered branches, ready prepared for Easter decorations later this week.

I took the tunnelbahn to Sodermalm and Marias Garn following recommendations here and here and was not disappointed! Delightful shop with a fine collection of yummy individual yarns some of which simply had to come home with me!

I hopped off the train at Gamla Stan, the old town, on the way back and wandered around the streets enjoying the colourful houses and unexpected corners.

I can imagine one or two of my friends who'd have made a bee-line for this store (wouldn't you, Sue? Carol?) Though I had a look inside and tried on a black version of the skirt worn by the saleslady in the photograph, I think I'd draw the line at the drawers... It was good to see mail-order things for real, if you see what I mean.

I enjoyed a browse around Marimekko and loved their Spring windows.

Sadly, it was soon time to make our way back to the airport.

Sorry about the blurry photograph, but then wouldn't you be surprised to see a reindeer when checking in?

Hotel Art 10

Initially, I was a little underwhelmed by the art on our walls last night. Pretty, yes, but though they were clearly relevant to our locality and very Scandinavian in character, I thought them rather bland and a safe choice for a beige wall. They are labelled "handcolor H.G.Carlstrom-83"
 

(you wouldn't believe the contortions I went through to get this crummy photograph with minimal reflections!)

Taking the second photo was rather easier, because I didn't have to sprawl on the bed to get the right angle. Getting closer to it, my eyes homed in on this:

It looked a little familiar and I wondered where I'd seen it before. Then I opened the curtains...

There it is!

Good Morning from a sunny Stockholm!