Sweden is a
big country compared to Denmark and Wales, about the size of California. The
roads are good and traffic is light.
It’s farm country with well-kept bright red farmhouses and barns, which
really appeals to Connie’s sense of order. Driving, even on the freeways, takes a while, so stops at
places like Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred are welcome.
Gripsholm Castle
With the
price of hotels when we find an affordable one with a central location we stay
for a few days. Sure there’s some
back-tracking but it’s nice to know where you’ll rest your head and the SatNav
always knows the way back home!
Farm Country
Our room at
Marsta isn’t the cheapest we’ve had but it is relatively convenient to
Stockholm, has a fridge and a kitchen!
Pasta for two in a restaurant costs about $40 – without wine! So making our own, even microwaving
prepared meals, is a good deal. We
took advantage of the central location to visit Drottninghol Castle. It’s scenic location on Lake Mälaren made it a favorite haunt of many of the
Queens of Sweden. While wandering
around the formal gardens I met Philip and Dawn. I knew they were Americans by the REI backpack Philip was
wearing. Like other Yanks we have
met on this trip, they don’t actually live in the US. They live and work in Beijing and have invited us to visit
when we eventually get there.
Vaxholm
Stockholm
is made up of islands, somewhere between 10,000 and 50,000 of them. Only about a thousand are inhabited,
like Vaxholm, where we spent the afternoon. It’s a great place to people-watch and a haven for
gardeners. The bright yellow or
blood red houses are exquisitely maintained and the yards are a riot of
flowers. And it was another
beautiful day.
