4/8/26 Oslo

 

  Leaving Stockholm today , we head down to the tram , then to the train station to get on our train to Oslo - a quick 6 hour train ride taking us past villages , towns , lakes & rivers along the way . Arriving in Oslo , we found a bus that takes us toward our apartment stay . We walked 450m to the apartment block , up & down small hills , through older houses and all of this on the side of a huge rock outcrop . We were escorted up to the apartment on the top floor and shown the ins & outs , before we were left to our own devices . This is the view from the kitchen out toward the city .

   Another view from the balcony outside .

      Someone was keeping an eye on us all the time 😉😆

Justin & I went down the street to the supermarket to get some supplies , on the way down we had a look around at some murals .

     Another eye watching us , very realistic !

     This one is going to be demolished and the building in the mural is what is replacing it apparently .

It was a big day of travel , but quite pleasant really , nice to see some countryside . Here's a map link :- https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1KVXIS-osTkLNtyBvfWsvWUXIC8Q_WdM&usp=sharing

3/8/26 Nordic Museum

 

    Today we're off to the Nordic Museum , we walked past here on the way to the Vasa Museum the other day . The roof is different .

This is the end of the museum building 

The main entrance doors are impressive .

King Gustav Vasa dominates the area just inside the doors , looking down at you from his pedestal .

Each wing extends out from the entry doors , massive ceilings above are tricking you , thinking you are looking at the sky - it's a projection .

Going up the stairs at the end we start at the top and work our way down . The view down the stair well is interesting .

The display starts way back when life was simply but hard , working it's way through time . Displays are good . These are made from the bark of the Birch tree

A sewing machine from well back , still working and hand driven .

We worked our way down through the exhibits and down to ground floor , looking back at the other end . The rocking horses almost look like giants .

The day was over again and we made our way back to the house . Later in the evening the deer that we saw the other day was back , and she brought her family with her , this young one was enjoying having a play with mum in the back yard . Mums the blurry bit to the right of junior . Must have wanted to say goodbye to us , as we leave tomorrow .

2/8/26 Skinnarviksparken

 

    Yesterday , we stayed at home , the lunch the day before wasn't sitting well . Justin & Isla went to the amusement park in town and had a ball - she came home with the biggest smile , but was completely knackered . We managed to go out for a walk to the supermarket to get some supplies . 

   Today however , we were back on track and went back towards the city , but stopped one station short , before jumping onto another train taking us a few stops west . There we wandered up to a park were Isla had a play before continuing on to a vantage point on top of a rock hill . There's an antenna on it and around the base are 3 murals .

 Made for an interesting view .Talking of views , we overlooked the Town Hall 

More impressive buildings lined the waters edge where many boats were moored , ready for cruises or dining or both , not to mention the ever present ferries .

Definitely not dull looking buildings at all .

Walking back down we found another playground for Isla , then counted toward a restaurant Justin had found for us . This well restored Dodge was in a carpark .

Through a busier section we found another park with impressive fountains in it .

Interesting building , corners recessed for the doorway 

Someone enjoyed the Lions .

An interesting way of stopping vehicles from entering the area , beats bollards !!

We made our way to a restaurant , ready for our genuine Swedish meal . 

Here's our menu 

The restaurant was nicely setup 

And here was my meal - Reindeer Stew with cranberries and mashed potatoes - it was delicious , sorry santa 🍖 Justin and I both enjoyed this .

Lyn & Isla had the meatballs , which was also delicious .

 Everything went well with a couple of swedish beers , served by a wonderful gentleman who kept us entertained . 

   Back to our usual transport and back home . We bought a weekly travel card for each of us , and it lets us travel on trains , trams buses and ferries . We haven't had to buy any other fares during our week here - win, win ,win . Here's a map link :- https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1087u_6UAe49awBQuTFAAW6ugm42X7tA&usp=sharing

31/7/26 Vaxholm & Vaxholmen Castle

 

   Today , a different track . To Central station , a tram and a walk to a ferry terminal to Vaxholm . The rides all went sort of to plan , with some parts cancelled , so we walked between stops and caught the next tram . Miscalculated a bit we ended up having a longer walk , but took us past some more impressive architecture .  This building is the Royal Dramatic Theatre , fairly dramatic gilt lights & portico .

This is The Esplanade Hotel on the left and the Diplomat Hotel on the right 

Continuing on , we arrived at the ferry terminal in time and didn't have to wait long before we boarded the ferry . Vaxholm is about an hours ferry ride away , out in amongst the islands . Here's the crew .

 Someone was a bit interested in my photo .

   As we pulled out from the dock , we became one of the multitude of boats & ferries out on the water .I sat inside for a bit , but it was far better being out on the back deck in the fresh air , checking out all the views . This sculpture caught my eye , a man on a board reaching for the stars .

 

The ferry stopped at a few locations along the way , many of them on small islands that don't have road access .

     Coming into Vaxholm , we spotted a castle , which is approximately 200m away from Vaxholm dock . It's Vaxholmen Castle .

  

We discovered a bustling little town , restaurants & bars everywhere . We spotted this Hotrod - who would have thought a Volvo could look this good 😆😉

 Not to be outdone , an elderly gentleman drove up in this Ferrari convertible , and showed he probably shouldn't be driving , by the way he hit the gutter & mounted the curb !!

These yellow boats are vehicular ferries and were constantly going between Vaxholm and another island nearby , for the whole time we were here . They were carrying buses , trucks , cars etc.

       

After some Thai for lunch , we crossed over to Vaxholem castle via another ferry and wandered around it for a while . This family of swans were there to greet us .

                                                There were a few geese as well

    The castle seemed to have it's fair share of weaponry to protect it , from cannons to modern day guns .

    Some definitely would have been in place here , but others were brought in for display .

We caught the ferry back to Vaxholm , then the ferry back to Stockholm, our day done . Here's a map link :- https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1-57KysOWU3KRD7GcFDA2-KVkojrwNZo&usp=sharing