Sigtuna - the first city of Sweden

Last Sunday we went to Sigtuna which is the first city of Sweden founded in 980 AD. Also a residence of the first king of Sweden, Olof Skötkonung. Stockholm was not thought of yet. However, not much of its early days are visible. It looks more like a small town in the 17th century. Well preserved, least to say, and very cosy for a Sunday promenade which was just our aim.

At least we found some old ruins supposed to be from the 13th century.

 

Birthday party in Gothenburg

My son Philip had his 28th birthday last week and I took the chance to visit him on Saturday. The fastest way to Gothenburg, door to door, is the express train X2000. Walked out of my house at 6.45 AM heading for the subway. My backpack on my back and my X100 in my hand snapping my way to the metro station. Half an hour later I am at Stockholm Central.

All pictures are "click-to-enlarge"

I had breakfast at home but surprisingly I had one more on the train in spite I didn't order it with the ticket. Amazing.

Philip came to meet me at Gothenburg Central. He just woke up and was severely aching for breakfast. I made him company but declined a third breakfast. I was stuffed, least to say.

Then bus to his flat but since not every inhabitant was quite ready for the party yet we decided to take a walk in the port by the ships and docks.

We managed a VERY short visit to the Radio museum. When we entered they were closing. I shot a snapshot through the door. Well, next time...
Back home and guest are arriving in small clusters. Easygoing juvenile bohemians crowded the flat and we had a good time together. A waterpipe with apple "tobacco" came on the table and after some ritual handling a pleasant smoke filled the room and gave the whole gathering an oriental touch.

As you can see there was dinner coming up and we had a marvelous pasta with secret ingredients. Secret for you, that is. The time were rushing towards my departure and for some reason there was an intermission in the bus time schedule so Philip called for a cab. There was one right in the neighborhood so I finished my pasta in a few seconds, gathered my things and left the party after some hugs and goodbyes.
I didn't like to leave so abrupt but I couldn't miss my train.

Everything fun seems to be prohibited in railroad stations. Had a prawn sandwich as supper on the train. Stuffed again. The pasta was the best meal today.

Arrived at Stockholm Central at 10 PM and at home at 10.45 PM tired after an unusual long day but in a merry mood.

1000 meter books

I almost missed the entire Stockholm Culture Festival. On the very last day, yesterday, I finally managed to get there just to find most of it to be disassembled. However the great event for the day was the worlds longest book table, about 1000 meter long (0,62 miles for those who have no metric DNA). I struggled NOT to watch books but people instead. I had no backpack to carry any books. As a matter of fact I carried only one camera, my Fujifilm Finepix X100. So I focused on catching people. Here are some pictures from a world event.
Now I know, it takes a lot of banana eating to make book table of this dimension.

East coast

Although we live in Stockholm it is still an hour to go to the East coast. Last Saturday we went to Bullandö marina. A great place if you have a boat. For me it just made me sick and tired to be without it. Yet I have decided not to buy another one. From Bullandö we took a different route home over Vaxholm which included two ferrries. In Vaxholm we couldn't find a place to park so we went on to Bogesund castle. Small but nice-looking according to the web site. We found it under construction. Facade facelift was the ongoing project under hideous blue curtains.

Where the Jagga people go

Last night I went to Brostugan close to Drottningholm. They have car meetings there almost every evening. This evening was the day of the Jaguars. A lot of E-types and some modern cats and a few Morse-type as well.

Wasa - world famous disaster

Today I joined my brother Michaels family who are visiting Stockholm. We went to the Wasa museum. The ship that went down shortly after leaving port in 1628. Buried in mud for 333 years and then lifted to surface again in 1961. One of Stockholms major attractions. It was more than twenty years since last time for me.

 

 

 

Café Weed

Today we visited a bohemian café in the countryside of Ekerö at a place called Rosenhill. Café Weed is integrated with a flea market which was the main interest of my wife since she needed some new stuff for her still life pictures.
As usual I'm more interested in other things. Mostly what people are doing or something that sets the feeling of a place. Here are a few of my few shots.

 

 

Royal Hi!

Last Monday on the Swedish Independence day (or whatever you call it) I was very fortunate to bump into the crown princess Victoria and prince Daniel as they left the Stockholm castle through a side exit.
I had the Rolleiflex hanging on my chest and a digital pocket camera in my pocket! There was no time to pick up and start the digital so I focused briefly and shot. Victoria said Hi! And I was suddenly speechless.

N.B. I was the only photographer at the spot

Prince Bertil Memorial

Every year there is a vintage car exhibition at Djurgården in Stockholm. Some of them also race in a few vintage races. The smell of gas and exhausts mix nicely with the cruel sound of vintage engines. My favorite is the 3 litre Bentley bu t this year I only had a short glance of it when passing by in full speed. But there were others....

By the way. Prince Bertil was the uncle of our King Carl Gustaf XVI

Socialismus

I'm neither a socialist nor a communist. But I am a photographer. Labour Day is a day of red flags, demonstrations and political statements. A perfect day for street photography! That last sentense pushed me out on the streets of Stockholm. The red flags in black/white photographs are as grey as socialism to me.