Ekerums Camping

We needed a washing machine and the weather forecast was poor for the next few days so we decided to spend three nights at Ekerums Camping.

 

Leaving the campsite this morning we passed a caravan selling pumpkins large and small. All over Sweden we've seen pumpkins everywhere decorating peoples houses and gardens!

Långe Jan

We're now at the Southern cape of Öland to see Långe Jan which is Sweden's oldest and tallest lighthouse.

 

Långe Jan (tall John) is 41.6m tall

The Southern Cape is a nature reserve as it is a popular staging post for migratory birds.

Eketorps Borg

This afternoon we're visiting Eketorps Borg which was built in the 4th Century as a fortified farming village. On arriving we were disappointed to discover that the visitor centre was closed. We decided to walk down the driveway to take some pictures of the outside. Approaching the fort we were surprised to find that we were able to walk straight inside!

 

The only one of Öland's forts to have been completely excavated and reconstructed.

 

The interior has been reconstructed to show how people lived in the Iron Age.

 

They must've been very short!

Lerkaka Windmills

Lunchtime today and we have a lovely view of more windmills.

   

The best preserved row of windmills is at Lerkaka.

 

Mrs Miller waiting for the wind to pick up!

 The windmills are open so you can climb inside to inspect the workings....

 

..... I thought it would be rude not to check them all. Em wasn't convinced!

Ismantorps Borg

This morning we're visiting Ismantorps Borg which is a 5th Century fort build from big stones. The route here was "interesting" as there were no road signs at all. Fortunately we were following the satnav which seemed to know where we needed to go!

 

On arriving at the end of the road there were still no signs. In the end we walked along a track into the woods which we had seem some other people using. On emerging from the woods we came across the fort.

 

The fort in encircled by a wall which is 6m thick and 3m high.

 

The inside of the fort has the remains of 80 houses

 

One of the nine entrances to the fort.

Windmills

We spent last night in the car park of KronoCamping Böda Sand which was closed so nobody minded.

 

One of the 400+ windmills here in Öland

Böda Sand

We spent this afternoon chilling out on this beach. It turned out to be the last really warm and sunny day we had!

  

The beautiful white Böda Sand

Sunset and time to leave the beach :-(

Neptuni Åkrar

En route to the most northerly tip of Öland we visited Neptuni Åkrar which is a bizarre area of ridged stones which supposedly resemble ploughed fields.

 

There are meant to be several ancient stone monuments here - we didn't see any!

The salesperson with a cheesy grin.....

Em finds an island of her own!

 

Borgholm

After visiting Brahehus Slott on Thursday afternoon, we stopped in Granna so that Em could buy some of the famous Polkagris red and white striped candy canes. We had intended to stay in the village's MH parking but having seen the price for nothing but a car park with electricity hook-up we decided to move on. Luckily, just on the outside of the village, we came across a rather smart motorway service area decorated in red and white stripes so we stopped here for the night.

 

We spent the majority of the yesterday driving south to reach the island of Öland where after crossing the 6km long bridge to the island we found a layby to spend the night.

 

This morning we're come to Borgholm which has a long pier with a rather strange lido at the end. We wandered around the town and bought some locally grown raspberries in the market.

Well well....

Brahehus Slott

After spending two nights at Vadstena, this afternoon we're visiting Brahehus Slott which is a few km's further south on Lake Vattern.

  

Brahehus Slott was built in 1640's for Count Per Brahe

 

Brahehus was inspired by the German designs and as such looks more like a castle then many in Sweden.

Sunset over Lake Vättern

Vadstena

We arrived here in Vadstena late yesterday evening and spent the night in the official MH parking area.

 

Vadstena Slott was built in 1545 for protection against the Danes.

Em doesn't seem too worried!

 

Vadstena is on the shore of the mighty lake Vättern, the second largest lake in Sweden.

 

The very nice official MH parking place is just off to the right of this picture.

The old town with narrow cobbled streets and colourful wooden buildings.

The castle is surrounded by a very impressive moat.

Gamla Linköping

This afternoon we've stopped to look at the old town open-air museum of Gamla Linköping.

 

This is a collection of 80 buildings from the city and surrounding area.

 

Checking out the narrow cobbled streets.

Brock lives here too!

Nyköping

After another night in a motorway service area we made our way towards Nyköping stopping en-route for lunch next to a campsite on the coast. After lunch we took a walk by the sea.

 

Trossa

We left Stockholm this morning and went shopping for supplies. This evening we've come to Trossa searching for somewhere to spend the night. Unfortunately the MH parking here is very expensive for just a glorified car park so we decided not to stay the night.

 

We wandered around the tiny village and followed the river inlet which divides the town in two.

This is the local fireboat - the pump on the back sucks water from the river.

Our last day in Stockholm

We're now back in Stockholm and spending our final day walking on the islands.

Sunset over the Southbank

Sorry to confuse you dear reader, but we're now in London. It's a long story which involved two countries, three short pieces of work, the repair of a broken laptop, several trains, planes and a very expensive €500 taxi ride from the airport back to Kiki.

 

Oh do keep up!

Sign of the Day

Strange name....

Nordiska Museet

Whilst I'm away for a few days work, Em's visiting some of the Stockholm museums.

 

The exterior of Nordiska Museet looks like a Renaissance castle

 

Statue of King Gustav Vasa made from gilded and painted oak.

 

The museum portrays everyday life in Sweden from the 1550's to the present day

Changing of the Guard on Horseback

On some days the Changing of the Guard is performed on Horseback

The Boat Museum

After leaving Vasamuseet we stumbled upon a small boat museum - entry was free so it would've been rude not to.....

 

Although the writing was in Swedish we think this was a Royal Barge 

Checking out the woodwork of a classic Danish motorboat - there are lots of these in the marina next to the MH parking area. 

 

What a beauty - not sure if it's a genuine Riva of something similar - I wouldn't mind this little plaything though! 

Vasamuseet

This morning we're visiting Vasamuseet which displays the salvaged warship Vasa. This magnificent ship is 69m long and 52m high.

 

The Vasa capsized and sank on 10th August 1628 in calm weather just 1,300m into her maiden voyage from Stockholm. She was rediscovered in 1956 and a complex salvage and conservation programme began.

The museum building is very carefully temperature and humidity controlled to preserve her beautiful and delicate carvings.

With a total of 64 guns Vasa carried more heavy cannons in her two gun-decks than other ships of the same size. Unfortunately this weight combined with insufficient ballast made her top heavy which contributed to her capsize.

The stern was badly damaged and has been faithfully restored