Gripsholm Castle contains 16th century interiors from the time of the Vasa Kings and state apartments from the reign of Gustav III. Also houses the Swedish State portrait collection.
Gripsholm castle cannon with host and hostess Rolf and Lena
Stone with Viking runes outside Gripsholm Castle.
Mariefred
City hall
Rolf in Mariefred
Gripsholm Castle from across the lake
Mariefred "drug store", apothecary
Anundshog Viking Graves The Vikings placed their mark on the landscape with an ancient burial ground or burial mounds called Anundshög, and is Sweden’s largest.
Lena and Diane
a view of the verdant countryside
Anundshog
Historic homes
Diane & Lena at a Midsummer Pole
View of the lake
Log homes with lovely chimney toppers
At Lake Silyan summer home
Largest Dala Hasten The Dala Horse is well-known throughout the world as the national symbol of Sweden. It started as a way to pass time, then became a tool for bartering and is now a much admired piece of history that looks good in any home. Each Dala Horse is made in Dalarna and is handcarved and handpainted.
This young German boy's summer job is carving Dala Horses. The Dala Horses are cut from wood blocks with a band saw, then the carvers round off the edges and fine tune the shape. Note the blood on the horse standing on the workbench.
Working in the shop where Dala Horses are made. When carving is complete, a base coat of color is applied, then the "kurbits" design is hand painted onto each dala horse.
Diane with Dala horse
Stockholm city square
Stockholm Parliament building
Ferry landing in Stockholm
View from the palace
Rear, newer section of Parliament building
Palace Guard
King's Palace, central square
Courtyard in Old Stockholm we had wonderful lunch at the restaurant on the left. Tables outside on the plaza where we could "people watch" while enjoying traditional Swedish fare and a nice cold beer!
Old Stockholm
The water... Stockholm is built on islands...
Old Stockholm alley way from courtyard to street below
Old Stockholm alley way
Nobel Museum
Figures on the Palace inner courtyard
Prepare for changing of the guard
Swedish AirForce band
Handing off the duties to the next shift
Old Stockholm - you can see the water down almost any street
On the Ferry heading for Djurgarden
From the ferry
Vasa Museum - see the masts and ship's rigging above the red building
Lighthouse boat
Replica of the Vasa. No direct sunlight hits the actual ship in order to preserve her.
Vadstena, beautiful lace is made by the women of Vadstena
Lion guarding the moat
Castle moat
Vadstena King Gustav Vasa castle (1540) near Lake Vattern
Midsummer pole
Midsummer Pole near Lake Silyan
Midsummer Pole with Lake Silyan in background
Canal near Askersund on the way to Boras. Coffee and sandwiches, mid day break.
Magic loves Swedish meatballs!
She's very good if there are meatballs around.
Magic competing at The World Terrier specialty show
Magic wins Reserve CAC at The World Terrier Show in Sweden
Rolf mans the grill for the 4th of July picnic. The puppies rest in the shade under the tree, with momma Elvira keeping an eye on them.
Yummmmm.... ribs...
4th of July picnic - traditional US ribs, potato salad, cole slaw, tomato-cucumber-feta salad, cornbread and deviled eggs! Cold beer for the adults, coke for the younger set.
This will be my new puppy, Sandy And Blues Sylvia Of Sweden - isn't she adorable!!
