Quite early morning with our usual breakfast. Then we took the subway to T-centralen from where we had a short walk to the small pier in front of the City Hall. We boarded the S/s Marifred for our 10 am trip to Mariefred on a real steam boat. The weather looked promising so we sat outside. After a while it got cold and we went inside instead. And had a look at the engine room.

   

The steam engine was a two cylinder engine with 280 Hp that would require a 1000 Hp diesel engine to get the same speed. Every 7th or 10th minute they had to shovel more coal into the oven.

At 12 am we entered the dining hall for lunch. Chie had a grilled salmon and white wine. I had steamer’s beef and a mineral water. Both were very nice. After lunch we relaxed in the dining hall until we arrived in Mariefred.

   

First stop in Mariefred the Hembygdsgården (Local Heritage Centre). We had coffee and a Festis with rhubarb pie and vanilla sauce. We also had a look at the room where the weavers made carpets and table cloths.

Then we continued with a quick look at a bazaar and then crossed the park to get to Gripsholms Slott (Gripsholm castle). We payed the entrance fee and went inside. And tried to stay away from all the kids having a guided tour for kids in the castle.

We walk around for about 45 minutes looking at all the wall and roof paintings, furniture, and more. Then we had to leave to catch the steam train to Läggesta. From where we took an ordinary train back to Stockholm.

   

Back in Stockholm we made a quick stop at Stadium on Drottninggatan for some final shopping. Chie bought S.O.C.’s training pants and two training t-shirts. We ended our day with a dinner at Restaurant Cypern on Valhallavägen 50. It was a great dinner with a marvelous starter, grilled goat cheese with herbs, tomato and onion.