Hello! We have light at the end of the travelling tunnel. We’ll take precautions of course, after the pandemic but we’ve not seen family and friends for so long. The start of my dreams of seeing our loved ones begins … I believe that dreams do come true.
We’ve returned from a few days in ice cold Stockholm. Well, to be honest, we had some beautiful sunny days except for the last day when it rained. As you’d expect at this time of the year … it was C-O-L-D. But we wrapped up with layers, and managed to enjoy walks out to take in some magnificent scenery.
Aspudden
Our daughter’s apartment is in a suburb of Stockholm called Aspudden. It’s on a direct line to her work in Stockholm City so convenient when she goes into the office.
The neighbourhood has a lovely, family feel to it. There’s not many large shops but in the main are the necessary supermarkets, pharmacy, library, restaurants, cycle shop (yes, most important as everyone cycles). As it’s out of the main city, you have beautiful walks, including to the lakes just close to her home. Dotted on a walk to the lake are the now closed up quarries and spaces where Alfred Nobel carried out his experiments in his endeavours to produce ‘safe’ dynamite.
There’s a cute farm a stone’s throw from our daughter Manisha’s home, where many children and their families visit. Horses, sheep, goats, rabbits are housed here. There’s little wooden steps that allow you to climb into the pens to feed or pet the animals.
We took walks to the lakes that are close to Manisha’s apartment. It was quite strenuous for me 😁! Up along paths to the most beautiful views, so it was well worth the time and effort. The lakes are iced over and are absolutely wonderful to see. We saw people skating on the ice and even making holes in the ice to swim! This is not uncommon.
Stockholm is made of very many lakes, so no matter where you are, there’s a beauty in the scenery with so much water, woods and nature in general.
Winterviken
Near the lake and in the area Vinterviken, is a wonderful cafe, Winterviken, where we popped in to warm ourselves. Manisha and I choose the homemade soup that was a potato base with greens, croutons and bread. The hubby had a tasty, meaty homemade panini. I didn’t take photos 😕! The restaurant, Winterviken, was well supported with Mum’s with children as well as more mature people and those just out for a walk.
I found this review on Trip Adviser
Nobel Prize
We visited City Hall where the Nobel Prize Awards are bestowed on the Laureates and where a banquet for the occasion takes place.
Every year Nobel Prizes celebrate Awards and welcome new Laureates to their fold. In his Will, Alfred Nobel wished to recognise important developments in the Sciences and contributions to Peace. I didn’t take enough photos to do justice to the Blue Room which is the location of the banquet. Our tour guide told us that the architecture of the room is Italian. There were last minute changes to the room as the original was to have an open piazza style, looking out to a blue sky – but it wasn’t practical as it’s so cold in Stockholm, so it’s a closed space.
There is also a Ball held on the evening of the Awards, in a most magnificent room that is gold-encrusted. The walls are made from mosaic pieces. Glass was cut, a gold leaf placed between two pieces of glass and the whole room is designed using these pieces. .
The figurines around the Gold Room depict the history of Stockholm. I don’t remember everything, but a full wall to the front of the room shows the importance of West and East coming together, with the central figure being Stockholm. I learnt that ‘Holm’ means ‘small island’!
The Gold Room
Weddings
Apparently many weddings take place on a Saturday at the City Hall. We were told that the Swedes are not particularly religious so the civil service is the main marriage of choice. The ceremonies are usually quick – 2 to 4 minutes is normal! This is a beautiful view across the lake from the City Hall – the door to the civic ceremonies leads out to this view. We saw a couple of beautiful brides, but of course didn’t take photo s!
Travelling
This was our first adventure out of the U.K. since the pandemic to pretty Stockholm. Heathrow Airport T5 was busy. We pre-uploaded documentation for quicker access through security, and booked our luggage in online so we didn’t have too long a wait in the queues. The bag drop queue wasn’t long, but the normal check-in was busy. The plane was full. There was no two metre distancing in sight, but we had to wear masks, except when we ate our snacks.
At Stockholm Arlanda airport, our baggage came through quite quickly, and our exit through security and immigration was pain-free. We expected a longer queue as we are no longer part of the EU, but it wasn’t an issue. Arlanda has been renovated and is a much more pleasant experience than in the past where we were brought to the airport building by coach, or had a short walk in the open air. It’s a clean airport and we’ll sign-posted. It’s simple enough to catch a Stockholm taxi (black with blue print) at the airport. We asked for a fixed fee – it’s usually 650-700 Swedish Krona to the City. We went a bit further to the suburbs and paid 750 Krona.
Our return flight to London was slower. The check-in, security and immigration procedures were fine. But, we had a delay of 2.5 hours because we were told that the plane from the U.K. had been delayed due to a technical problem. We flew British Airways. The eateries near the departure gate closed at 18:00 – which I didn’t know – so we couldn’t get a nice hot drink whilst waiting. The plane was full on the outward journey. I must say I am somewhat amused at all the precautions we’re told to take, only to be encased in close proximity to each other for at least 2.5 hours on the flight. However, I’m pleased to say the hubby and I seem to be fine after our short trip (touch wood!) and trust all on our flight are too.
Music
This musical video has been in my library for a little while, having been sent by a friend. Although this blog is about cold climes, the music accompanying it is intended to bring you warmth! There are a number of singers and musicians featured here. Unfortunately I don’t know who to credit for the production and I hope someone will inform me. Each musician is named in the video which I enjoyed. I like receiving suggestions for music or words that might be used in my blogs. Thank you to everyone who sends them. I appreciate it and please continue to send.
Thank you for visiting
Written by Cecily on Sunday 20 February 2022. I’d love it if you LIKE or follow cecilyswritings on my Facebook Page. Follow my blogs at Cecilyswritings.wordpress.com and cecilystravels.wordpress.com. © Cecily Lalloo 2022 and © Cecilyswritings 2022. Please feel free to leave a comment and to share. Excerpts and links (shares) may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cecily Lalloo and Cecilyswritings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content, or to other authors/writers/artists where they are acknowledged. However, unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, and photos taken by Cecily, without permission is strictly prohibited.
Where I use images, music and quotes in my blog, that do not belong to me, no copyright infringement is intended. I shall wherever possible attribute or apply links to the original where it’s on the internet.
The feature image and photos in this blog are by Cecily. The video is from an unknown source.
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