The Weekend, 16th and 17th April 2011

Got a bit of a routine going now. Had ham and cheese sandwiches for breakfast for the 6th successive morning now. I think they call it a "Continental Breakfast!".
On the internet first thing before too many powerful wireless networks start showing and blocking the hotel's signal.
Typed a few e-mails and skyped home, nice to see my girls' faces, thank God for Skype. Couple of work e-mails to answer and did my monthly Chargecard statement on line for work. Finalised directions for Monday and then time to shut down and put on my walking shoes!

This time I ventured out in my shorts and t-shirt, what a gorgeous day. Getting the hang of it now, made my way to a small square with shops and cafes and straight down to 'Old Town' across from the main city centre. This is a very quaint sort of 'island' which must have been some of the original old roads and buildings.

　

In one of the old streets I came across this chap very skillfully playing partially filled (with water) wine glasses. He was playing 'Oh, how we danced, on the night we were wed'....made me think of my Ma and Pa, God Bless' em

As you come out of  'Old Town' you head over one of the many bridges crossing the mighty Norrstrom River
Over the bridge and directly infront is the very grand Swedish Parliament Buildings.

　


Straight down the middle and underneath these arches is the famous shopping street, Drottinggatan. This is where I'm heading, about a mile down the road is my favourite coffee shop. On the way down the street I couldn't resist calling in at my new favourite shop, ever since I discovered one in St David's Centre in Cardiff..... Clas Ohlson. It's sort of an Ikea for men, with useful stuff in it like tools!  It really is a blokes shop but they chuck in a few colourful table lamps and shiny picture frames to keep the girls happy.....only joking of course!!
Reached Sandy's Coffee shop after about an hour and a half. I know what to order now....."Hello, A LARGE COFFEE, please", or as we like to say in Sweden 'Hej' (hello) and 'Tack' (thank you)....I'm working on 'please' and 'coffee'. Settled down with my black flower pot (no handle) but lovely strong coffee to continue reading Tom Forts "Book of Eel

Really getting interesting now, I discovered that Johannes Schmidt (the Danish explorer and scientists credited with discovering the eel larvae or 'thin heads'), has his portratit hanging in the Zoological Museum of Copenhagen as well as some of his original collections. As I will be in Copenhagen at the end of next week I simply must get to see this stuff, it's a great opportunity, hope the museum can accommodate me.

Well, had a free re-fill (hope they didn't think I was too tight) and after a pleasant hours read I headed back to the hotel. At the bottom end of Drottinggatan I stopped amongst a crowd and watched a very creditable Michael Jackson tribute street dancer, very entertaining. I had to try extremely hard to resist the urge to moon-walk up to his collection pot and drop in a couple of Krona, I'm quite sure it would have ended up on Youtube and probably CNN, for all the wrong reasons.

Well back to my room for one more night, Skype home and get some grub.
Tomorrow I meet the esteemed Hakan Wickstrom of the Swedish Fisheries Board and then off we go on our road trip....can't wait.