14^th January 2018

Dear All,

In the week after New Year Kate and I visited the Fitzwilliam museum in Cambridge where there were several exhibitions including Degas, Desboutin and Daumier – all were free so good value!

On Thursday I took part in the walk starting at Everton but Kate rested as she was not 100% and Stockholm was on the horizon. Everton is near Sandy on light, well drained soil but we still found some mud. The walk included part of the “Greensand Ridge walk” and “Gibralter Barn” the centre for secret war time operations from nearby Tempsford air base.

Sandy Gravel Pit

Occasional Mud!

Gibralter Barn

On Friday we drove down to Hove to spend the night before flying to Stockholm from Gatwick early Saturday with Mary-Ann, Amélie and Albert – Andy having returned to work earlier in the week. The temperature was -3°C on arrival and never rose above freezing dropping to -8°C with wind chill one day.

Sunday was cold and sunny and we caught the ferry from Gamla Stan to Djurgarden amd walked round Skansen to Rosendala garden and back along Djurgardsbrunnsviken to their flat which is on Sodermalm. As we found before if you are dressed right the temperature is no problem.

Gamla Stan

On Monday we walked round the south of Sodermalm taking in two parks and duck feeding in Arstaviken. Later Kate and I visited Katorina church which has a congregation of 500 and works with recovering alcoholics.

Duck Feeding

We caught a bus to the City Centre on Tuesday and walked from near the Central station around the Observatory Park and back to Sture plan taking in McDonalds and another park. Back on Sodermalm Mary-Ann and Amélie took to the ice on an open air rink.

The Observatory

On Wednesday we explored the north of Sodermalm with fantastic views of the city across the water before a nasty fog descended completely changing the atmosphere. We walked on to Gamla Stan and later Kate and I did another walk in NW Sodermalm.

Gondolen

So we saw a good chunk of Stockholm, the weather was chilly but bearable and it was good to spend time with the family. Their flat is large and on the third floor accessed by a rather ancient and cramped lift with the buggy. It is obviously taking time for them to adapt to a foreign city with a cold climate and short hours of day light but hopefully once spring arrives and they get to know a few people things will improve.

We arrived back Thursday night after a good flight the journey back from Gatwick was busy and messy with persistent drizzle. Back in Over we had the church New Year social on Saturday and Kate was in charge of catering for 45 and I did a review. Meanwhile David our pastor was laid low with flu so I had to speak this morning so it has been a bust few hours!

Love

Mike & Kate