FINALE STOCKHOLM AND HOME

 7th Sept 2020

Farewell Sweeeden.

I had half a day left to find something else to see and amuse myself with, so decided to visit the Skyview, or Ericsson Globe, near the Globum Metro in the southern end of the city. Entry SEK 120 (£10). I'm always keen to go up things.

Left: This is it. Not entirely sure what else is inside the building but there is a track up the outside on which runs a 'gondola' or 'pod' to the top.

Right: A full pod at the top. As you can see this is a previous photo taken in the winter.

Left: My photo on the way up. I was the only passenger.

Right: Panoramic view from the top. Looking north over the city there is surprisingly little of note to identify. The problem is that Stockholm is flat, surrounded by forest and lakes and few tall buildings to penetrate the horizon.

Left: Adjacent to the south is the Tele2 Arena, a stadium which hosts (in normal times) big football matches and pop concerts. It is a bit like the O2 Arena in London.

There is pleasant café nearby for lunch which I took advantage of.

Right: A typical river view on the way back to the city centre.

Back to the hotel, packed up and headed for the airport. 

The previous evening I had been sent an e-mail by British Airways telling me to fill in a long (5 pages) and very intrusive form before checking in (on-line) with all my future contact details, phone numbers and probably inside leg measurements, because at that time Sweden was on the Brit Government's Covid 'black-list'. It reminded me that I would have to 'self-isolate' for 14 days on returning to UK (subsequently rescinded). It took a fair bit of time but I was warned that if I didn't do it I would be subject to big delays, and possibly fines, on arrival at Heathrow. Phew! So I did.

It was such an efficient rail service from the Central Station to the airport I arrived early and had time for a bit of scran and wander around. As previously, none of the airport staff suffered the indignity of wearing 'snot rag' face masks, but of course many tourists did (even if not required).

Right: ....As per this paranoid lunatic (tourist) who was dressed in some form of HAZMAT suit! I think many people still genuinely belive we are in the throws of a hostile Nuclear, Biological and Chemical attack. Pathetic really. The Swedes would laugh at him/her/it.

On arrival at Heathrow, amongst a large crowd from various countries, I went into the passport/immigration arrivals hall. I had merely to slap my passport onto the scanner and walk out. Nobody was in the slightest interested in where I had come from or any 'form' I may, or may not, have filled in. All this form filling and 'isolation' rubbish is, as I discovered, a load of complete bullshit! So many of these British covid 'rules' seem entirely illogical and instigated more for PR effect than any sensible reason.

Right: A photo I forgot. A jolly Swedish dog called 'Frodo' which I encountered in Stockholm. 

Left: ...and finally, from Heathrow, make of this what you will........!

I must say Sweeeeden (or Sverige, which sounds like a horse-feed), and it's seemingly total normality, was a real breath of fresh air. Long may it continue. As of now a great place to escape the daft rules and social restrictions in UK.

I hope to be off again in the near future to do a bit of research in a country I have never visited before. Stand-by for more