Babies, bloodbath, tapas and tap

Something I heard on the World Service this morning: An Australian, living in Ontario, complained about the Canadian government banning Vegemite. He got together a petition which he presented to the government because his customers were annoyed about not getting their favourite spread on the morning toast. The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese heard about it and leant his support to the cause. The Australian, when asked how he felt about the PM getting involved, said to the interviewer: “Aw, mate! What do you reckon? When Albo got involved, I knew we were winning.” Peak Aussie.

Not that that has anything to do with today, which was everything but Australian. In fact, it was quite tiring and featured far too many Americans, if anything. The final reckoning was the ;last, showcase performance of the Stockholm Tap Festival which, following Mirinda’s condemnation of the first show, we were a bit wary about. But that was a long time away, at the end of the day.

First up was the Nordiska Museet to see the Nordic Life exhibition.

It starts in around 1500 and ends in the present. It is fantastic, though there is far too much to see in one day. Mind you, the woman at the ticket desk claimed she knew a woman who spent six hours seeing the whole thing, reading every card, all in one day. That would be way too much for me. Mirinda reckoned she must have skipped a few things because it would take longer than just six hours.

We bought yearly tickets so we can come and go as often as we like. Also, well worth it for the cardamom buns they serve in the café.

The exhibition is beautifully curated, though probably a lot better to plan your visit on a week day rather than Easter Sunday. It was packed solid, which took some of the shine off it for me. I always wind up plonking my cane down on people’s wayward feet or, the same feet, accidentally kick the cane away from me. All most annoying and I miss a lot of things on show.

Still, as I said, there’s always another time, and it won’t cost us anything.

One of the things Mirinda has wanted to do for a while is to take the Stromma Royal Djurgården Boat Tour which goes around the island, via the narrow canal. So that is exactly what we did after our journey around the Nordic Life.

The chance to cruise around and through such wonderful green spaces, was amazing. We thoroughly enjoyed it apart from a couple of things.

There were the duelling babies. One started screaming and carrying on as soon as it boarded the boat. That was bad enough and continued for most of the journey but, when the second one decided to join in, it was all a bit much. Fortunately, they were both at the stern and didn’t obscure the narration coming out of the tannoy.

That was the other thing. The commentary featured an AI which spent the whole trip mispronouncing Swedish place names and sounding like a robot that would prefer to go out and shoot Chop Chop than try and entertain a bunch of humans and screaming babies.

Anyway, it was only mildly annoying and, basically, we very much enjoyed the tour.

We’ve done a number of Stromma tours and they are always delightful. Though this was the first one with an artificial voice.

To be honest, the AI tour guide was a much better actor than the three guys presenting the Stockholm Bloodbath. This, Mirinda claimed, was one of the worst things she’s ever seen. “Why didn’t they learn their lines?” She wanted to know. “Why did we pay for it?” I wanted to know.

I cannot be polite in my judgement, so I’m wondering if I should just say nothing.

No, I find that very difficult and I really should say what I saw.

It was dreadful. One guy was okay during the first bit but was then replaced by two amateurs who had no idea what they were doing. They had no idea what cueing was, how to engage an audience or act. Frankly. Of course, it was all in Swedish, but it didn’t matter. I know bad acting when I see it and I saw a lot of it today.

Though, to be fair, it certainly gave us something to talk (and laugh) about afterwards.

But then, the day certainly brightened up a bit.

Back in 2022, when I had my brief Swedish solo tour, and stayed on Söder, I walked by and drooled at the window of a restaurant called Madrid Tapas. Sadly, no matter how much I drooled, it was never open.

Then, yesterday, after Mirinda checked to see what eateries were near the theatre we were going to, she suggested we go to a place called Madrid Tapas. And, yes, it was the same place. As the drool started, I hoped it would be open.

And it was. And it was so worth it. Not only was the food fantastic, they served the best berenjenas. As I type this, my taste buds are screaming for more.

Then, the final event of the day and, in fact, the Big Birthday Long Weekend. The showcase end to the Stockholm Tap Festival.

Mirinda was a bit worried following the opening session she painfully sat through last week with Nicoline. It had been a dreadful performance in studied self-obsession.

Her worry was unnecessary. The final performance, which featured an amazing line-up of brilliant tap dancers, was simply spectacular. Okay, it was a decidedly partisan audience but, that should take nothing away from the sheer skills of the dancers.

We loved it; were transfixed by the electric feet. Even if they were mostly American.

And I mustn’t forget the band. Keyboard, double bass, saxophone, trumpet and drums; all following and complimenting the tappers.

It was a glorious night and an excellent way to finish Mirinda’s Big Birthday Long Weekend.

Tomorrow we start (and finish) the long journey home.