Smorgelsbord

Believing myself pretty much recovered from the summer cold I made the journey North East to Stockholm. I met Kirsi in brilliant sunshine that would come and go over the next few days. Afternoon turned to evening as she took me for a mini tour of harbours and marinas. Coffee in the early evening sunshine. Rigging creaking in the breeze accompanying our conversation.

Thursday morning arrived along with the knowledge that I was still unwell. I had been coughing a lot during the night. The weather was poor and we would see rain and fog during our cruise of the archipelego. Kirsi had used the Viking Line ferries to Finland to assemble a very nice cruise. Outward leg to the Finnish island of Aland (It's not really an A, but I don't have the Swedish letter with the circle over the A. The sound is more like E), then swap ships and return. These cruises can cost as much as £5 ! Today less I believe. Buffet breakfast still only half awake, then a morning watching the dozens of islands slip by to port. Change boats, a beer on the desk in rare sunshine, then go to the dining room for the Smorgelsbord. Prawns, Salmon, Herrings, Lump fish caviar I think. Wonderful roast fillet of beef, pass on the sirloin. Many hot and cold Finnish and Swedish canapes, and wine and beer included. Help yourself to refills. This is deffinately what to do with a rainy day in Stockholm.

Swedish and Finnish people are no different to Brits when faced with an as much as you can eat buffet. Some will always eat to ridiculous excess. Did the young woman loading a dinner plate with every dessert available plus all of the toppings and sweet sauces, realise that as well as enthusiastically rushing from cubby towards obese, she was both holding up an ever growing queue, and also providing the entertainment. An English builder at a sunday carvary could not have out eaten the girl! Pass the bucket!!

Friday the sun shone so it was time to set off on foot to explore the city. Kirsi was an excellent host and guide. If she ever needs a new job, she should go and talk to the office of tourism. We walked our feet off as you do in a great city that you have never visited before. The cafe culture in the evening was a pleasent surprise, even if the price of the beer wasn't. I didn't care, for just the one drink. It was a fabulous day.

The weather was cooler on my last day, perfect for riding the bikes. Environs describes what we did with the day nicely. The royal palace, island hopping, and bumping into reality from the outside world on a little ferry that should have been idylic. So many nice people in the world of all races. What to do with the fanatics of all pursuasions? Lock them up in mental institutions as the dangerous lunatics they are. Keep them locked up for as long as they hold their murderous beliefs to protect the rest of us. No excuses of culture or religion. A lunatic is a lunatic! Coffee with Kirsi's friends in an orchard overlooking an inlet, listening to Mick grumbling about the Elk eating his apples last season. I am a long way from Warwickshire for sure. Riding home on Elsa and Babsan in a little more sunshine. Has summer returned eventuelt?

My sincere thanks to Kirsi for her hospitality and friendship. See you next time.