The rain was pretty heavy when the bus stopped at Hötorget to let on, what felt like, thousands of people. The bus already had a couple of strollers parked up by the middle door when another, double pram tried to squeeze in, along with about four family members. It was never going to happen.
It was hard to imagine that, just a few hours before, I’d stepped off an almost empty bus onto a bone dry pavement at the same spot. Or that, earlier, I’d walked the girls in the forest, where it was dry and dusty.
The last time I walked between the trees above, the path was a white strip of snow as I shivered my way along. Today I started sweating halfway around. We walked to the old quarry then on to the current one before heading back up to the ridge and the familiarity of the green diamond track. The girls were delighted that they remained off lead for the entire walk.
Their delight was, however, short lived as I left to meet up with Mirinda, Lisa, Jack and Max at the Grand Hotel Veranda to partake of the famed smörgåsbord. Which was lovely, as was the company. As was the hotel’s own brand of schnapps.
It was actually Mirinda’s birthday lunch from Lisa and Jack and, when asked where she’d like to go, she immediately suggested the Veranda.
Of course, Mirinda had Swedish class this morning. She met up with the others afterwards while I kept the girls company before I left the house with enough time to visit the blossoms in Kungsträdgården like we did in 2021.
As the photo above shows, a lot of other people had the same idea.
Having wandered around a bit and taken a few photos, I settled into a seat outside one of the cafés for a beer. I was a bit early and thought I’d sit and soak up the happiness that was all-pervading. It was while I was sitting there that I noticed a number of people, dressed rather oddly, walking by. Some appeared medieval, while others more mythical. I finished my beer and headed across to the bit that was an ice skating rink a few months ago.
When I reached the steps that lead up to the artificial grass I suddenly realised that I’d stepped into a medieval market, complete with re-enactors, tents selling handcrafted wares, a wonderful band and wandering people, laughing, buying and generally enjoying the show.
It was fantastic. I was thoroughly enjoying myself, particularly listening to Medvind, a Viking band who did an amazing song about rowing which the audience helped with. Look them up on Spotify, they are amazing. I was going to see if they had a CD, but, of course, it was time to head down to the hotel.
Apart from the food, the company, and the alcohol, a noteworthy addition to our meal was our waiter, Roland, who was born in South Africa and, like me, agrees that test cricket is the purest form of sport in the world. He grew up watching some of the greatest players of the 1980’s. He regaled us with stories, entertaining me at least. I think the others quickly became bored.
The rest of the meal was thoroughly enjoyed as we discussed other sports, food and financial advice, which I managed to ignore given I was chatting to Max about Edinburgh at the time. I suggested they visit the Ensign Ewart when visiting the Royal Mile next week. Max is thinking of either Edinburgh or Glasgow universities and will be visiting both in the next few weeks with Lisa and Jack. Obviously, I regaled them with the best bits of Edinburgh.
After eating (and paying – thanks Jack) we all headed up to the blossoms for the obligatory group photo.
Weather-wise, all was good until we reached the open area where the 57 bus stops near the opera house. That’s when the rain started. As I wrote above, by the time we reached Hötorget it was teeming down, drenching all and sundry, pedestrian and cyclist alike. It was, quite frankly, awful. I was very thankful that it hadn’t happened at any other time during the day given I spent most of it outside.
Of course, we had to change buses at Kolonnvägen, which meant a wait of 25 minutes while the rain fell. And, naturally, the rain stopped just as the 177 arrived. Actually, I don’t think we would have had to wait for 25 minutes if the pram carnage at Hötorget hadn’t happened because, just before we left the 57 bus, a 176 departed ahead of us.
Mind you, we were better sheltered than the poor family with the double stroller looked as they tried to find shelter at Hötorget after the driver unceremoniously declared there was no room and, no, they couldn’t stand, blocking the aisle or the door. We felt a bit sorry for them but, really, the delay meant a wait for us which was really annoying. And, really, it was their fault entirely. Mind you, as Mirinda mentioned, we won’t have to do that anymore given we move to Trosa next Tuesday.
By the time we reached Tappström, the rain had gone and the sun made an appearance, brightening up the world with a full on, half circle rainbow.
And so Lisa, Jack and Max end their week in Stockholm. Our second visitors are leaving tomorrow morning. We have extended an open invitation to Max who will be at university somewhere close and will always be welcome.
