karinblomblom
WInterrail into the 20s, each stop posted on the same day...3 months later
Helsingborg
From H to H - 1 August 2019
After having left Falun so quickly I was about to return after my visit to Halden. It seemed however to take me more time to get there than to be there. Finding it more time effective to go further south, I opted for Helsingborg and Lund as a final of my trip.
Helsingborg has for me just been a "passing by town" on interrail trips in my twenties, looking out the window when the train got onto the ferry and the adventure could start for real... After all the years, it was very nice to now explore this city more than just from the train window.
The first sight of the day was Kärnan, a royal tower that once served as a home, guard, and defence within a stronghold.
A 20 minutes walk brought me to Fredriksdal's open museum with an ancient Helsingborg town quarter, country houses and a manor. It was the owner, Gisela Trapp, that, according to the will of her late and beloved husband, gave the manor to the town of Helsingborg in 1918, with the purpose of being used as an open air museum. New buildings have been added throughout the years.
Before leaving Helsingborg for Lund I had a cappuccino at the town's own coffee company, founded in 1886.The text in the first photo is the announcement of the coffee shop to open the following day...
Halden
30-31 July 2019 - From sofa tourism to reality
Halden seems nice! I want to go to there!
Sitting in my sofa, looking for where I wanted to go, norvegian Halden seemed like an unknown place, something new to explore. Maybe it was just too long ago since I was in school and in history lessons. Because as a matter of fact, it was in Halden were the swedish king Karl XII died, close to the Fredrikssten fortress which the Swedes were trying to take.
It was actually the fortress that attracted me, guarding the town from its height. And why not going on the singsong at Grensen? I finally decided not to go on the sing along evening. Visiting the fortress the day of the event, permitted me however to hear some of the preparations...
I surely had my dose of vicarious fear of heights that day. Often there were no protective fences and seeing a couple close to the edge, I just couldn't bear the sight and had to turn away. No need at all to fear for my own sake as my safe distance had a most comfortable margin... (beware of windy noice)
Pictures from inside the fortress
Pictures from inside the fortress
Then finally also some pictures from a walk through the town that I took on the afternoon of my arrival, and among others, the nice pigeon apartment building.
Göteborg
29 July - A night in Gothenburg
The day had been sunny and very hot. Leaving Skövde and Varnhem behind, continuing south, I was as satisfied as tired after a very interesting day.
Just across the street from Gothenburg central station, at the market place, is the Clarion post hotel. A year ago, after a conference, the hotel had caught my eyes and made me curious. Now was the perfect occasion to experience this former post office! The room I got, in the 12:th floor, offered a magnificent view
From dusk to night
The evening was still warm at 10 pm, one of those marvellous summer evenings, like made for sitting on a terrace, watching people and letting the time pass by, while having peanuts and, in this glass, a delicious alcohol free drink.
The following morning I went for a swim in the pool on the top floor. To call it a swim is an exaggeration since I rather spent my time enjoying Gothenburg from above (forgot however to return for a photo).
One a clock was the departure time for the train of my next destination...
Varnhem
29 July 2019 - A literary trip
There was actually a particular reason for my choice of Skövde.
In the beginning of the 21:st century, a fever caught Sweden. It was the Arn fever. There was a new outbreak some eight years later when the film came, based on the books about the medieval fictional person Arn.
Single cases of fever still occur. I got it myself since I read the serie this winter. And voilà - my ultimate goal was to visit the church and cloister ruin with its herb garden in Varnhem, not far from Skövde.
Close to the church is the Kata farm. It's a house that has been built over what might be the oldest room in Sweden. It gives an exposition about the Christian Vikings that once lived in Varnhem. Kata and her family were wealthy and lived in the 11:th century.
I was fortunate enough to come just in time for the guiding of the church and joined as well the one about Kata farm. Both guides were much initiated and their own interest in the subject was apparent and contagious. Two booklets and some brochures added some extra weight to my backpack after my visit.
Source:
(Only in Swedish)
Further readings:
Skövde
28 July 2019 - Going south
Leaving Falun, I actually passed by my apartment, washed some clothes and had a night free of charge.
Looking at the different destinations the following morning, trying to imagine it was a travel menu, I didn't really manage to have an open mind. It was already made up. I wanted to go to Skövde!
Arriving in the afternoon, I found a brochure in the hotel tipping me of the Skövde Street museum which was an application with 4 different guided tours which were really interesting and easy to follow. I went the one about cultural historical buildings and another historical walk showing old pictures from the different places I passed by. I'm going to look for this kind of guided tours in the future as well. It is really very convenient, being able to do it in my own pace, and to listen/read again if needed.
One of the Helénsgården houses. The main building (not sure though that this is the one) might be as old as from about the beginning of the 18:th century and has its name from the last owner Sven Pettersson Helén and his wife.
Skövde church, also naimed Saint Helens church. The house to the right was built in the first decade of the 20:th century to hold apartments and business and is one of Skövde's best examples of national romaticism brick architectur.
The market place and the old town hall (the white building with clocktower, built 1775-76).
After my long walk, I returned to the hotel which actually served dinner included in the price of the room.
Source:
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