Stockholm/Paris

We are guessing from the comments that we aren’t boring you. It is strange writing in the third person. We should start a competition to see who can guess which one of us is posting. Don’t go by the spelling because Claire is checking Peter’s posts.

Leaving with our luggage!

It was raining a little when we left our B&B. We were so lucky to find Atum, some of the people on the cruise were flying straight home because they couldn’t find accommodation. There were 35,000 extra people in Stockholm with the world’s largest conference of cardiologists. In a city of 2.5 million that makes quite a difference. Our hostess Christina was lovely, if a little bossy. Very particular about some things. She told Peter off for using the wrong spoon for his cup of tea. He used his egg spoon, but her 2 dogs were allowed into the room while we were eating breakfast. The free wi-fi was a real bonus.

We left our luggage at the Central Station and spent some more time exploring the centre of the city. We found a food court and Peter went looking for his food first and came back with a huge plate of Cajun lamb ribs and a soft drink for 130 Krona which we both decided to share. Then off to the airport. No problems getting there on time.

It wasn’t too cloudy so we had a great view flying from Stockholm to Paris, across the Baltic. The flight landed on time, then the fun began! Airport shuttle to the train station. Two changes on the Metro, each time up and down stairs with our luggage. Claire trying to be polite when she refuses offers of assistance, just in case they run off with the luggage, (thought she reckons they deserve it if they can run away with it). Peter struggling with 2 bags. Nobody offers to help him. Finally we come up for air at Ecole Militaire. Peter had good directions, but we couldn’t quite figure out which street we were on. After a slight detour we finally made it to the right street at 9.10pm and up walked a friendly Frenchman and Peter says “Quentin?” and the answer is yes.

He showed us around the apartment (I’m not going to mention the 3 flights of stairs), we settled in and headed out for tea. Around the corner we found 4 restaurants to choose from.

We ate at Cafe Central (on the left of the photo), then went for a little wander down the Rue de Cler. So many places still open and very busy at 10.30 at night. Eating at 7.00 or 8.00 is not very fashionable.