Best Western Hotel Savoy Karlstad

... installed. The new windows flip out and give excellent cross-ventilation when cooking which is a godsend given that the last 2 old ****** windows were cemeted in place. On top of which they look smart and make the old Westfalia fibreglass roof a more modern appearance. Did I mention the rust in the gutters has also been fixed the day before we left so the van (whilst very old....26 years old) shapes up good from a distance and does us no shame when cruising into the ...

... we have been to and driven past. I lost as per usual! <br><br>So some things about Sweden:<br><br>* Where do you find full strength beer? They only sell a maximum of 3.5% at the supermarkets. I think we will need to check out the state run alcohol shops - System Bolaget, set up to minimise drinking - LOL<br>* Roads here are as expected well maintained and great for cruising<br>* Swedes seem to be ...

... although I am not sure if this was the original intent of the old Swedish rock carver dudes or this is just done to make it look all the more spectacular. Funnily though the colour used is the same "Swedish Ochre" colour that is used to paint all rural buildings (houses, barns, etc). There was even a 40ft shipping container in Fiskebacksil that was disguised with wood panelling and corrigated iron roof that was painted in this Swedish Ochre to make it blend in. <br><br>The rock ...

... the Swedes took us just south of Karlstad to Kristineham where there is an enormous Picasso statue looking out over the water. We mostly took it easy and wandered around the delta, enjoying the sunshine and water.<br><br>Big thanks to Johan, and Lina for putting us up for the week. It was great to see you guys and the house is amazing. Hope you can make it back to Seattle again soon! Thanks also to Naemi and Leon (the cat who knows how to sit ...

... is doing a good job telling me I have an hour before my train back to Norway. Also last night there was another Lene Marlin concert here in Karlstad (yes the reason I'm here but dont judge me. bah i dont care anyway, it was totally worth it). It was put on at short notice but was really amazing, she had a band behind her of at least 10 people including a string quartet, a drummer, and a percussionist. Then after the show I followed the Italian fanatics again and got to meet ...

... go out in a minute to watch them do hot laps shortly. I really am quite relieved to have found somewhere affordable again. I will be going back to Norway, but I think I will be travelling through it pretty quickly. I am quite tired of travelling at the moment and am missing home and friends and family a bit, but I know there is so much more to see and do ahead! until next time, -mike

... our Sweden through the groupstage, where it all came to an end, but our trip had just started and we went on to explore other parts of europe for 16 days. The countries we paid a visit were Italy, France, Spain, England and Scotland. My next trips will be a cruise to the finnish town Åbo and about 2 weeks later Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas. 'til I return!

19 minutes past midnight and we are leaving Karlstad by a bus that is taking us to Örebro, where we'll change to another bus that will take us to Stockholm Skavsta Airport in Nyköping. In about 17 hours we'll hopefully be in Innsbruck in some pub or fan-area where we can view the game between Sweden and Spain.

We have been living on an island for almost a month now. Today we woke up to 4C and thought that the time had come to leave. We still don't know if we are selling our hose in Florida NEXT week or not. I think realtors (real estate agents) are the tru evil on earth! How much pure **** can come out of ones mouth and still nothing happens?

... Tax refunds and exchange all our remaining NOK for SEK. By lunchtime we have reached Karlstad. Sweden didn't give me a good initial impression. While I waited to get off the bus in Karlstad, our fellow group member, a50 year oldish lady was rudely pushed away by a Swede for blocking his way. Thank god it wasn't Chris. I think I would have lost my cool and start bashing him. Nose, Solar Plexus at least. Are Swedes all so rude? Amanda suggested a restaurant for ...