We got up on Wednesday 29th November to greet our last morning in Denmark. Having mostly packed our bags the night before it did not take us long to get ready, zip up the bags and head off for Central Station. The quick start ended up being quite fortuitous. When we got to the train station, our train trip was nowhere to be found on the information boards. We approached a staff member, who at first seemed uninterested and told us that we should wait and monitor the information. Accepting this advice, for now, we set off to find some breakfast and a coffee. A few minutes later the railway staff approached us, having searched the terminal, to let us know that our train had been cancelled. Instead we were to catch a much earlier train to Malmo in Sweden before changing trains for Stockholm. Just as well that we had got to the station early and that the railway guide had decided to rethink his advice. We suddenly became the “experts” on the change in plans and assisted several other travellers to get to the right train.
Australian’s don’t know how to do trains but the Danes and the Swedes do. Clean, smooth and seemingly as fast as a rocket ship we sped towards Malmo. Staff on the train came through to check tickets, and not only were they aware of our sudden change in plans (without appropriate tickets) but they also went out of their way to get us the track and time information for the train we were to join in Malmo. To get from Denmark to Sweden, the train goes through a tunnel under the sea – a concept that Hamish had trouble getting his head around.
Changing trains at Malmo, found us in a first class cabin with comfortable seats, breakfast and good quality wifi. Perfect in all but one respect – we were seated facing backwards – Megan’s least favourite way to travel.
Despite this, and Megan getting a little queasy, the journey seemed to pass very quickly. It was interesting to see the changes in scenery, passing through a range of small towns, noting industry and nature in equal measure. We even managed to see snow on the ground in places.
Arriving in Stockholm, we were greeted on the platform by Ylva who had taken a break from work. We walked to a nearby Hotel for coffee and a chat. When Ylva offered us a chance to occupy a meeting room at her office we jumped at the chance to have a little quiet downtime. A really nice office space, with inviting spaces – even though i’ve just moved to a brand new office at my work, we could learn a thing or two about making an office both functional and liveable.
Once Ylva had finished work we met up with Lydia and Nils and then Simon also. Splitting up to travel to Simon and Ylva’s home – some in the car (I am surprised to find that I like the Volvo) and some by bus we made our way east. I travelled with Simon in the car and had the opportunity to visit a supermarket on the way, getting to observe the many different ways that we shop (and those that are universal). The biggest thing I noted was that you need to scan your receipt in order to be let out of the self-service checkout.
Arriving at Simon and Ylva’s house felt like coming home even though we had never been there. They have a beautiful home to the east of Stockholm, in the Värmdö Municipality. Lydia and Nils are the fifth generation of Simon’s family to live in the area. A dinner of Tacos went down nicely along with easy conversation and reminiscences of the trip that Ylva, Simon, Lydia and Nils took to Australia 8 years ago.
Thank you to Nils for giving up his room for Amelia and Hamish to share and to Lydia for allowing Amelia to store her bag and get changed in her room.
We headed off to bed, the children upstairs and Megan and I in the guesthouse. Not sure if it was the tiredness or the fact that we no longer had the children constantly moving in their squeaky bunk, but Megan and I had the best sleep yet on this trip.
