On a Sunny Day in Stockholm

The first day of a new week, the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the possibilities seem endless - kind of.

On a day like this, if you have the time and inclination, here are some suggestions for a perfectly agreeable way to spend your day in the Stockholm vicinity;

Take the subway to Bredäng, have a lovely walk in the woods, possibly a dip in the lake at Mälarhöjdsbadet and then some really lovely coffee and cake - or a divine shrimp sandwich - at Café Lyran, with a grand view from their outdoor veranda.

Or head to the very southern outskirts of Stockholm, Norsborg, to get to the castle Sturehof. The easiest way is by car, or possibly by boat.

Lie in the grass, under a tree, philosophizing, take a dip in Mälaren, visit the pottery maker at Sturehofs Krukmakeri - the birth place of the frog bowl - and drool over, perhaps invest in, all sorts of wonderful pottery. And of course, have a lovely light meal or just coffee at the castle café. Excellent place to bring the dog also.

On a glorious summer day, much like today, some weeks ago we took the public transportation system to the other side of town, Tyresö. Which turned out to take quite a bit of time, 2,5 hours one way... The destination was lunch at the absolutely charming little Café Notholmen.

You can get there by car or boat too. But if you decide, like us, on the more time consuming way, it's the bus that'll take you there. Getting off at the end station you have to walk passed the lovely Tyresö church, and the equally lovely Tyresö castle and the park, about 15 minutes, until you get to the wooden bridge that get you over to the small island of Notholmen.

Perhaps not a very impressive menu, but the ambiance made up for that! Such a lovely little outing, and I wish I had brought swimwear with me...

Myself, today, well it's quite possible I might feel inclined to take a walk down to the local marina and the summer café there. Sitting at the large veranda, overlooking the glittering waters of Mälaren, basking in the sun, well even the measliest little grilled cheesesandwich covered in vegetables can seem like a seven course meal...

And on days like this it's ok to overuse the word "lovely"...