A view of the southern heights of Stockholm, from Waldemarsudde, Djurgården
Blå Porten (Blue Gate) is a café - restaurant at Djurgården I've been *very* hesitant in visiting, since it is a classic Stockholm hang out for the Infamous Pram Mob - a modern and, I gather, a rather Swedish phenomena since I've never ever experienced this when travelling abroad, which will be addressed in its own post to come. But I can say as much as it involves three p:s as in petulant toddlers, prams and parents (mostly mothers) that have very less than considerate behaviour towards other guests and fellow beings ... - hence not being all that inviting for people who like to have a peaceful and lovely coffee break-lunch-whatever with chat.
Though late last year the grumbling tummies made us brave and we decided to finally fearlessly face and fight the mob. Which that day, thank goodness, wasn't showing its usual fierce force. But. Or rather three big buts; the very snotty staff, the dirty tables and the headache inducing sound level in the café, made for a quite less than overall charming experience.
And that despite the fact that the food was actually lovely - albeit very less than generous as far as salad, coffee not included in the somewhat hefty lunch price -, the creamy courgette soup wonderful and the feta cheese-spinach pie not half bad either.
The cakes and buns on display looked absolutely mouthwatering, but for above mentioned reasons the lunch wasn't accompanied by dessert. And I really doubt we'll be returning for those same reasons. Which is a pity, since mainly less haughty staff, better cleaning, considerate child/pram possessors would make this place a rather lovely oasis for meet and food. Especially the inner courtyard's outdoor eating area in summers does look enchanting.
One darker than dark December evening we ventured out to Djurgården and Rosendal's garden for an evening of, what we thought would be, making of natural, sweet scented soaps, creams, scrubs, bath salts and such. Lead and taught by the woman behind the lovely organic body product brand Lisen Organics, Lisen Sundgren.
As it turned out it would instead be a lecture on nature's and plants amazing effect on the human mind and body as well as a demonstration on how to make these lovely products ourselves. Even if I have been meaning to try and make such products myself for a long, long time (longer than I care to admit) it was rather inspiring to actually see how easy it would be to whip something together from many things you usually already have in your pantry. Or at least things that can easily be purchased at your more or less local supermarket.
I especially liked the body sugar scrub which was made into a wonderful Christmasy gift by adding ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, rose petals, nutmeg and orange ethereal oil. Unfortunately there was no audience copies available so we - at least those of us who had pen and papers with us... - had to write down the recipes, which was about 10 different kinds.
It was a nice enough event, and the complimentary tea with saffron buns and Rosendal's classic saffron crusts was lovely, but the description of the event lead us to believe that it would be a more hands on make your own sweet scented, natural ingredients Christmas gifts thing and I admit to be more than slightly disappointed about that bit. Yes it was a rather reasonably priced event, but as these things often are I just had the notion that we would then pay for the ingredients we chose to make our stuff from.
Instead I went home with lot of ideas, a couple of bags of gorgeous dried rose petals and a few bottles to start making my own concoctions. That's not half bad either I suppose. And Ms Sundgren's amazing looking book "Lisens Örtspa" (Lisen's Herbal Spa) will definitely be heading for a place in my shelf in a non too far future. I will now try an recreate that great product of Lisen Organics, the rose scrub, myself. I'm far from confident it'll turn out equally great, but I'm all keen on trying.
And the walk through the very less than well lit streets and the silent woods to and from Rosendal under the winter evening sky, the scent of fires and dampness, the air, was quite wonderful, even if I myself have more than my fair share of imagination when it comes to what, whom, might be lurking in the shadows, in the woods...
As this was my first return visit to Rosendal after the sad discovery of someone left behind it was also going to be a rescue mission in the dark - turned out it was quite a mission in vain since someone had apperantly gotten there before me. So I think wee one is now being cared for snuggled sleeping in warm bed each night.
I discovered this wee little soft fellow when I was out and about camera style the other week. He - looks like a wee he, I didn't take a closer look though - had been left behind by his owner and was now contemplating life at the feet of Bacchus, in front of Rosendal Palace, Djurgården. That day it was sunny, still rather warm for the season. Now it's not.
And I can't help but thinking about this poor wee one who is probably still all alone there, now in the cold and I somehow doubt Bacchus or his feet will be of much help and comfort during the freezing nights. If it hasn't happened already, will someone please rescue this dog, give him a loving, caring home and a warm bed to sleep in? And do not ever leave him behind when out walking.
As usual I can't let just one photo speak red on Ruby Tuesday - and for those who're not too fond of looking at Swedish/Stockholm pictures, you're welcome to hop on one of the (in)famous in parts red Finland cruise ferries with frequent departures to and from Stockholm - Helsinki. But of course I recommend you stay put...
...because in Stockholm you might enjoy walking the read carpet for a visit a the city's smallest theatre, Teater Dur & Moll - Theatre Major & Minor.
Or if you're more leaning towards the outdoors, take a stroll or brisk walk around the pretty Djurgården area, not only a beautiful and lush oasis but also one of the VP districts of residential areas in Stockholm. Where you'll find some of the houses in very nice ruby nuances.
You might like to feed the birds, when the pretty red bird feeders lack of interesting birdie content. And after all this walking around the city...
... I think you deserve a lovely afternoon tea with delicious scones served in a basket with red chequered cloth at Ester's Tea & Coffeeshop. Enjoy ~
