The weather is slowly getting better, the sun is coming out and it is getting warmer. We can now leave the heating off, even at night. We really like Sweden and there is something for everyone. From the sea, to the city, to the lake, into the forest - everything is there. What I really have to mention: the locals here are all super nice! Regardless of where we were and whether young or old, we were approached very often and “involved” in very nice conversations. Even when we spoke to someone, everyone was always very friendly and helpful. We had great conversations and also received some information. We really like the mentality of the Swedes !!
Stockholm - beautiful city spread over many islands
After we got our super quiet place to sleep Vesterberget left, it went direction Stockholm - Big city horror because of the traffic. Let's see how we get through there. The closer we got to the city, the more traffic became. Suddenly there were always traffic lights again where we only had roundabouts before. You could tell that we were getting closer to the big city. When driving a car, it was not noticed that Stockholm is actually built on several islands. Since we came over the motorway, left and right as well as everything was built up and you couldn't see the islands.
Our parking space is on a small island, from which you can walk to the old town about 2.5 km. It was only a small parking space, but it had everything and most importantly, it was secured by a gate with a code. In addition, there was always someone on the square, so that you could go into town with confidence. The day before I had found an ENT doctor on the Internet who was not far from the place. When we arrived at the pitch, we quickly ate something and set off on foot. We walked past so that I know where the doctor is. It's Sunday and we wanted to call there early the next day.
The way to the old town was a bit more complicated because they completely closed a bridge for construction work and didn't really set up a detour. But thanks to maps, you can also find the right way on foot. On the bridge to the old town island, we noticed that Stockholm is also one big construction site. We had already noticed that on our trip last year, there is construction going on everywhere. The old town is mostly car-free.
It has many, small, narrow, cobblestone streets with many small shops. When we arrived we first had a coffee because it was also warm and we had to cool off a bit during the break.
We then walked through the streets towards the palace, which is also in the old town, and saw the narrowest street in Stockholm. It's only one way with stairs at the end and it's very narrow. Looked great. The German church, Tyska kyrkan, was also wrapped in building sheets so that no photos were needed here either. It belongs to the German-speaking St. Gertruds Parish of the Swedish Church and, with its tower, is the tallest building in the old town. The old town is also characterized by its colorful, centuries-old buildings. Many of them have small cafes or shops on the ground floor.
We continued in the direction of the royal palace and here too we were disappointed. ¾ of the building enveloped due to construction work. So don't do anything with photos. You couldn't even get to the forecourt without an appointment or an important reason. It's a shame, but there's nothing you can do about it. So we went down to the knight's house. This was built in the middle of the 17th century for the Swedish nobility and is still used today by the noble families for meetings and events. After a short break, we made our way back.
Once again we didn't have Finja's backpack with us and so we carried it alternately on the way back because she was a bit stunned by the warmth and the way. We then walked back through the alleys of Södermalm past the small shops and cafés and got a bit of fast food shortly before the parking space, as it was late and we didn't want to cook anymore.
The next morning we got up a little earlier because we didn't know whether I could go straight to the doctor. Basti then tried several times to call there and when he reached someone, the nurse said that the doctor was on vacation. Good luck for them, bad luck for us. The nurse wanted to call another doctor for us and then get back to us. We waited and after 2 hours Basti called there again. She gave him a number where we can get in touch, the doctor would know. Multiple attempts and none achieved.
Basti repaired the car at noon and at first it sounds good. While driving we will notice whether it was the problem.
In the afternoon he and Finja went to sleep because they were tired from getting up early. I then looked for a few new points on maps for our further tour through the inland. Actually, we had planned to drive over the archipelago around Stockholm. But we'll save that for another time.
We know that our friends Uschi and Ludger have both family and friends in Sweden and so we contacted them after we hadn't reached the doctor by late afternoon. The friends of the two then gave us the phone numbers of doctors and clinics who are also in Västeras and would be happy to see us. So after a short thought we decided to go to Västeras, visit the 2 and go to a clinic. In the big city jungle Stockholm I didn't want to go to the clinic and possibly no parking space.
Our polar bear looks devastating because of the weather of the past few days and the roads. So the next day we decided to wash the bus and we also had to go shopping. So we got up a little earlier because we also had to drive the route to Västeras. Thomas, the friend from Västeros, called Basti and asked us to be there until 4 p.m. He expects an agricultural machine to do work in the garden and then we would not have any space to park. Since it was still relatively early, we could drive off straight away.
More interesting information about Stockholm can be found on the official website of Sweden:
https://visitsweden.de/regionen/mittelschweden/stockholm/
Västeras clinic and very nice visit
With a sparkling clean and repaired car, we are heading Vasteras hazards. The polar bear is running really well again, it pulls in and maintains its speed. Great, we are really happy that Basti managed it so well and that it was really the pressure cell from the turbocharger!
When he arrived in Västeras, Thomas was there working in the garden. We talked to him and he showed Basti his little praline factory that he built in his garden last year. We were also allowed to try the new type of wheat beer that he is currently producing. He also explained to us where the clinic is so that I could go there because of my ear. Since Elaine wasn't there, he invited us for coffee the next morning. And then the little excavator for the garden came. So we went to the clinic.
Since it was sunny and therefore warm in the bus and Finja shouldn't jump so much because of her problem with the hind legs, i.e. sit up and down, I could only go to the clinic on my own. A real challenge for me, since everything has to be discussed in English and I have problems speaking. And of course there is also a special description of the problem. I had to go through that.
Thanks to Translater on the cell phone, things went relatively well. First I was in the emergency room, where I was told, however, that if the nurse had picked me up and knew what it was about, she would have to call the doctor. Since ENT rarely comes to the hospital as an emergency, no one would be on site and would come from home if necessary.
After 2 hours of waiting, the nurse took me to the treatment room and we talked about what I was missing. It was difficult to have to explain everything in English. Especially since it is not sudden, but I have constant pressure on my ear, which I cannot get away. So no real pain either, just an uncomfortable feeling that lasts. She then said that she would call the doctor on call, explain the matter to her, and she would then decide whether she would come to the hospital.
She didn't come, but the nurse said that if a doctor should see a doctor, there is a kind of emergency practice two floors up where I could go. I did that and didn't have to wait that long this time. The doctor was also really nice, looked at the ear and said there was a slight infection. She said I should get cortisone nasal spray at the pharmacy, but it could take up to 1 month for the feeling to go away.
After 3 1/2 hours I was back at the bus. Tired, head full of speaking English and hungry, we drove to our overnight place near Västeras on the island of Björnö. You had a beautiful view of the huge lake directly from the parking lot and there was also a swimming area with a fireplace. After dinner we went to the water again to take a few pictures of the sunset. Here we immediately got back into a very nice conversation with a young, Swedish couple. We talked about traveling and our future plans.
After spending a quiet night, we went to Västeras to meet. Before that, we had to stop by a pharmacy because it was too late for that the evening before. We spent a very nice 3 hours with Thomas and Elaine. Really very friendly and nice people who only knew us through Uschi and Ludger. Finally, of course, we also took a few chocolates with us. The 2 gave us tips on what else to look at. Afterwards our way led to a national park, most of which burned down a few years ago.
You can find more pictures in the Sweden photo gallery.
