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

Source:

Further readings:

Falun

26-27 July 2019

I went however to the Dalarna museum (hiding from the sun...) where I found this wonderful biking horse!

Except for all the Dalecarlia horses, there was, among others, a room full of Dalecarlian paintings.

 

Kristine church. The interior of the church was unfortunately closed due to renovation.

 

Nostalgia!!! Not that I actually know the name of this "Push-to-get-the-green-light-to-cross-the-street-thing" What I know is that it was a long, long time since I saw these two, oh so common when I grew up. Have you ever considered the name of them? I actually wrote to the Swedish traffic services and according to them it's up to the company that produce them, to also name them.

 

This house that once was built to be the repository of the fire engine is now the home of Villovägens brewery. In the tower, btw, they used to hang the fire hoses.

 

Finally, my little paradise in Falun, Kopparstugans Bed & Breakfast was situated in the old miners district from the 18:th century

 

Linen sheets and towels - what could feel better for a tourist during the current heatwave!

 

Breakfast in the yard before taking the train home for one night.

 

Further reading : 

https://www.visitdalarna.se/en/sights-falun

https://www.dalarnasmuseum.se/index.php/engelska-sidan

http://villovagens.se/om-oss/ (only in Swedish)

Gävle in 2 h & 20 minutes

26 July 2019, 05:40

It's almost a feeling of unreality, walking through a town about 6 am. Empty market places, abandoned streets. And the morning sun to gild it all!

16 hours of travelling

25-26 July 2019

On my way to the train station in Trondheim, I found this joyful umbrella arrangement.

The following three photos are from the first trip that evening. In total, I actually changed trains (and the bus) 4 times, in Stjørdal, Storlien, Östersund and Gävle.

I love the feeling of total freedom of choice on this journey. It wasn't until the train to Östersund that I decided not to take another night there but to wait at the station for the night train bringing me to Gävle. And it wasn't until my just over 2 hours in Gävle that I decided for a prolonged visit there...another time, preferably in December. Question of having the possibility to see the Christmas goat (unless someone already has put it on fire..).  One good hour after Gävle  I set my feet on the ground of Falun. That is however to anticipate my story...

Waiting an hour for the train in Östersund, I was lazily resting and looked forward to a quick evening meal in the train. Only 15 minutes before the departure I saw the announcment of the cancelled bistro car... The tempting sandwich in my mind turned into the abandoned banana in my luggage...The moral of my experience: Always bring something to eat and drink before boarding a train!

The pillows of SJ definitely have seen their better days... However, in the SJ interrail card that I had, the couchette ticket was included which is really a good deal. And after all, I slept really well!

The last photo and video is for the nostalgia of looking out the window through the twilight at the long train and to listen to the different sounds of a train rushing through the night...