For our last day in Stockholm (for this year) we went to the Viking Museum. We learned that pretty much everything we hear about the Vikings in popular culture is wrong. Horned helmets? Not a chance. Two handed swords were almost never used because a wooden shield and axe were far cheaper and more effective for raids (the bit about pillaging is true). They weren’t even called Vikings until much later. The word Viking can be a noun, meaning someone who lives near the water or as a verb, meaning to go on an expedition. I’d definitely recommend a visit.
I mentioned the Stockholm metro system on an earlier post, and today we tried out another part of the system – commuter ferries between the islands that make up Stockholm. It is a great way to see another aspect of the city.
View from the ferry in Stockholm
Then we walked through the old town in Gamla Stan. It is very touristy, but also very pleasant.
Viking Restaurant and BarGamla Stan, Stockholm
Then we walked back to our hotel after the sun set.
Then it was off to dinner at a Ramen restaurant. A lovely way to end this visit.
We took it easy today, with a late start and a pleasant walk to the Moderna Museet – the museum of modern art. Along the way we passed the building where Stockholm syndrome originated.
Stockholm syndrome
Fun fact – banks in Sweden don’t look the way North Americans expect banks to look. In Sweden, banks look just like any other store. So if Ian hadn’t pointed it out, we never would have guessed this was, and perhaps still is, a bank.
Tree Roots
When we left the museum shortly before 6:00 PM, the sun had already set, but it was still a pleasant walk back to our hotel.
The main reason for visiting Stockholm in October was to see Ian, so we’ve been spending a lot of time walking around the city with him. It’s cool out, but mostly sunny and very pleasant.
Stockholm
Here is an interesting bit of modern art … in a manner of speaking. When a dead tree was cut down, the stump was carved into the shape of … a tree.
Chainsaw Art
Stockholm has an excellent subway system, which makes it very easy to get around the city. It was Saturday afternoon, so it wasn’t busy at all.
Stockholm Subway
Ian showed us around his work.
We stopped by the grocery store for snacks and the liquor store for wine and beer, and then for the rest of the afternoon Jan read a book and enjoyed the view, while Ian and I played a tabletop game (Bolt Action) with model armies.
The view from workBattle Field LayoutMayhem
We played to a draw. It isn’t for everyone, but we had an enjoyable afternoon working on strategy, sampling the local beer, and visiting. It was fun.
After a long day and night of travel involving three flights, we arrived in Stockholm, only slightly the worse for wear, and checked into our hotel across from a park.
Our Hotel
Stockholm is a city with many parks, so it’s always easy to find green space, but it is even easier here, with a large park just across the street. Most of the trees still have leaves, but there are also signs that fall is well underway.
Fallen Leaves in the Park
I’m a little surprised that the children aren’t playing in the very large pile of leaves. The days are getting shorter now, and there is a chill in the air. It looks like the locals want to take advantage of every bit of sunshine they can find.
Catching a few rays in the park
Another view of the park.
Fallen leaves
Even though I managed to sleep on the plane, I was feeling a little rough around the edges. I’ll leave you with a picture of a tree that looks a bit like I felt.
We’ve been relaxing and enjoying the end of summer for the last six weeks. As we prepare for our trip to Europe in two weeks, I thought I’d share a few interesting pictures I took around home.
Summer sunset
The next pictures were taken a couple weeks ago when I was doing my morning puzzles beside the pool. I like the reflected images.
This next one is a Northern Flicker. I’m glad someone enjoys the ants on our patio…
Northern Flicker
And finally, these next shots were taken today when a storm front moved through town. These looked like they were right out of Ghost Busters.
I’ll post more often when we are traveling. Until then, time to pack.
After a slow start, we headed south to See Ya Later Ranch Winery.
We started with lunch on the patio.
It is a lovely location with a playground and picnic area…
And it also has a location for weddings.
Another shot of the moon setting over the hills.
The hawks were also looking for lunch…
After lunch we had another wine tasting.
Followed by a look around the wine and gift shop.
And while most of us were enjoying the wines, our designated drivers (Big G & Little G) were enjoying themselves watching the kids playing.
More stunning scenery in this picture…
And another interesting shot courtesy of Ell.
For dinner we headed to Elma in Penticton, where every table was full on a Tuesday night. The dinner was amazing, and the view, as usual, was stunning.
Another day in wine country, and another round of wine tastings. It’s a rough job, but someone has to do it…. We started at Stags Hollow with a lovely tasting.
In addition to tasty wines, it has lovely views.
Then it was off for a little Mayhem.
Followed by one of our favourites – Meyer.
Our tasting was accompanied by tasty treats.
Unfortunately, the wasps were also hungry.
That picture, and the next two are courtesy of Ell.
Then it was back to the condo for snacks and bubbles on the balcony.
The weather was much better today, and we decided to have a slow day to enjoy the weather. We started with lattes on the patio, where I watched to moon set over the hills.
Here is another view from the patio…
Then I went for a walk along the Summerland Centennial Trail. The first section was along a small stream.
Then there was a section along a residential street. This picture was taken in front of someone’s house.
And then the trail went along the clay cliffs. The cliffs were stunning, and the sky was an incredible blue.
But of course this is wine country, so we had to have a wine tasting too.
And then we stayed for dinner.
The food was fantastic and the view was equally amazing.
And then it was back to the patio for an after dinner drink, watching the setting sun illuminate the hills across the lake.
We enjoyed our visit to the Okanagan so much in April that we decided to make a return visit in late August. The trip started off a little shaky with a two hour delay to our flight to Vancouver, due to mechanical problems with the incoming flight.
Our plane finally arrives
It was very late when we arrived in Vancouver, but we had built an extra day into our schedule to protect against exactly this sort of thing. And on Friday we drove from Vancouver to Summerland, on Lake Okanagan. It is a full day drive, but not a ridiculous drive – about 5 hours.
On the Road
Some of the scenery is stunning, though it was cloudy so you couldn’t see all that much at times.
Our first stop today was at Arrowleaf winery. We arrived shortly after they opened at 11am to be sure we could get their legendary cream puffs.
Yummy
It is a fabulous location with lovely views.
They have a lovely patio where you can eat the cream puffs along with snacks.
And of course, the wine tasting.
Wine Tasting at Arrowleaf
And then it was off to Spearhead, which was recently named the top winery in Canada, for our second tasting.
With the recent award, Spearhead is getting a lot more tastings than they have in the past, so we ended up in the overflow tasting room.
Tasting at Spearhead
When I say “overflow” I really mean it. It was basically the wine storage area.
Tasting Room
It was perfect. We love this personal touch when things get complicated and they have to get creative. And we were even treated to an unexpected bonus tasting of an older Chardonnay from the owner’s cellar. It was the perfect end to our first day.
I know that some of you are interested in perhaps taking the Canadian in the future, so today I’ll talk a bit about the accommodations, services, and overall experience on the train. There are three levels of sleeper service – berths, private cabins with bunk beds, and private cabins with a double Murphy bed. The prices vary somewhat between the three levels (actually, they vary a lot, but you get my point). We opted for the middle level, so that is what I’ll show here. During the day you have a private cabin with two comfy chairs, which you can pull around to directly face the windows if you want.
At night these are converted into bunk beds. Don’t worry, they set up the bunk beds for you while you are at dinner. They are really quite comfortable, and (all considered) very roomy.
The room also has a small sink, with drinking water.
The sink has a very nice feature – a small table that flips up to cover the sink and provides a small table. It’s perfect for setting a glass of wine during cocktail hour. You are free to bring your own alcohol onto the train, as long as you drink it in your room.
They try to maximize the space in the rooms, so the hallways are narrow. Very narrow. It makes it interesting when walking down the hall when the train is traveling fast, or when meeting people coming the other way.
You can always sit in your cabin if you want, but you don’t have to stay in it. You also have access to the observation car, though seating can be limited at popular times.
There is also a games area with tables along with a selection of puzzles and games.
Coffee, water, and a selection of snacks are available throughout the day.
And of course, there is the dining car for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The meals were very good, with lots of choice and a different menu every day. There were three sittings for each meal, and you had to pick your seating time the day before. For the first two sittings, the dinning car was packed, which made it rather loud. The tables were also small, which is a hazard of traveling on the train, I guess. All table were for four, so you always ended up sitting with someone else, which can be a good thing (a chance to meet someone new) or a bad thing (having to talk with someone you don’t know for the full meal). On balance, it was a good thing.
And before you say anything about the dining car not being crowded at all, this was brunch on the final day on our way into Toronto, where we had a table to ourselves.
Finally, there are a range of activities and talks every day, giving you a chance to learn about the regions of Canada as you pass through them. The activities include Bingo (not my thing) as well as wine and beer tasting (definitely my thing).
If It Was Today... 