Stockholm 25-27 August

Philip and I snuck off on our second (unaccompanied) trip of the summer. We spent two nights in gorgeous, grown-up Stockholm while Philip's folks took their turn babysitting Ben and Anna. Highlights included a morning spent at Skansen, the world's first open-air museum, showcasing life and traditions in Sweden and (if we're honest) watching the many beautiful blonde/blond, blue-eyed Swedes whizzzing by on their bicycles.

Typical Swedish building style.

Meatballs, lingonberry jam and potatoes-just like Ikea!

And the Swedes also like a braai, it seems.

View over one of the city's many lovely waterways.

Philip about to tuck into his (very delicious) smoked reindeer steak while I was in heaven trying a traditional Smorgasbord - who knew herring could be presented in so many different ways?!

Lunch in the medieval quarter, Gamla Stan.

The view of Stockholm city hall as seen from our porthole (we thought that as the city is built on islands, it would be appropriate to stay in a sweet boat hotel on the water).

Watching the world go by while having a traditional morning coffee and cake at Stockholm's oldest bakery-cafe, dating from 1785.

Philip at a typical street food stall buying a grillad korv med brod (grilled hot dog).

View over the Old Town.