Day 13: Return to Kalmar - including the Kalmar Castle

the sun was up early and the light streamed in thru the light blinds so my day started at 4:30.  No fancy breakfast today - just bread with mashed banana - hmmm.... and some grated chocolate on top... and Moomin coffee, so can't complain!
because I was up so early, I didn't rush thus I still didn't get away till about 8 - which is earlier than usual.
Today's mission was to find the Ancient Burial grounds near Gettlinge...  so I headed just a little south before turning into the centre of the island, then turned left and heading north, with the sun in my eyes and the breeze from behind!!  Yay!!
and wot's this?  yep the Burial grounds..  there was also a Viking stone ship thingo, same as Ales Stennar out from Ystad but on a much small scale and easier to photograph too!

by now the sun was gone, covered by thick grey clouds and the wind was bitter cold again - temp plummeted fro 16 back down to 11....  brrrr.... but no rain and the wind wasn't strong and it still came from behind!

I continued along the main road for about halfway, then swung back onto the bike trail that I rode out on.  it was fun to see some of the things I had see the day before.  almost felt like I was coming home!

the population of the small towns reminded me of Japan - mostly retired older people - the large towns had young people going to school and I saw young girls pushing prams, but out in the countryside, young people were pretty scarce...  guess that's just the way it goes.

I did see a couple of rather large barn complexes with black and white cows, so I guess that would count for the many cheeses coming from this region - apparently...

hope to get some photos up tomorrow, but I am off to catch some sleep!!

Cabin style breakfast - mashed banana, grated chocolate on bread, warmed in the microwave
not bad with coffee - tho a little milk in my coffee would have been nice!

A spot of attempted birdwatching

there's always a church to photo

old windmill turned into a residence

old windmill wondering what has happened in this world

this windmill would really roar in this open space

St Peter's Keys Orchids popping up all over the place

size comparison

Gettlinge Ancient Burial grounds including a ship-shaped
standing stone thingo

from the other end - again summer and winter solstice markers

flowers for Erica

and for Emma

this windmill looked new, but I think it was only the outer cover

there were no fences, so I snuck up for closer look - underneath

Into the first level

and trying to inside the top layer - it was total darkness,
but a flash can pick up some details
so the inner workings still looked pretty old 

yet another windmill - little shed out the back are toilets, but they were locked!!  Grrrr....

so how much canola can you bear?  thought I would take a close-up instead

the high part of the bridge I squeaked over yesterday

back on the Mainland and here is Kalmar Castle, guarding
the entrance of the city from ??? 

quick walk thru the city park to look at the beautiful tulips

tulips opening right out - stunning

first line of attack - if you don't freeze in the blasting wind whilst
crossing the moat, you might have a chance of taking the castle

if you can survive the soldiers in the curving passage

across another freezing opening

you'll make it to the central courtyard, where suddenly you are welcomed
by nice warm still air!

all good castles have a dungeon, here the crims were lowered down the hatch
(that black bit on the bottom right-hand corner) into a small dungeon and left to die
in the freezing cold...

but the king must have his gown

those thick walls aren't going to knocked over easily!

no wall paper - but painted decorations onto the wall

Yep, still looks nice out in the courtyard

from the exhibition of illustrations for the Astrid Lingren's story of Emil
pretty cute!

even the inner walls are thick

a grand hall

and a bedroom fit for a prince - Erik actually!