This morning saw us check out of our great place in Hammarsby. We were grateful for the increase in temperature and light rainfall that made it an easier proposition as we made our way to the tram station, dragging our suitcases along the grit and sometimes icy ground. Still wishing that Bronnie's case wasn't damaged so early on. Had a look and the frame with the handle insert is well and truly bent beyond straightening so it could be used which is annoying.

Anyway, we boarded the trusty number 30, then back on the green metro line to central station. Then we purchased a ticket extension to get us into the Arlanda terminal (airport) area and jumped on the train to Arlanda. It was a lot cheaper than the airport express, but nonetheless was a FAST train. I wondered how fast we were going, and my speedcheck app said it was 160kmh (possibly faster). 100mph is fast in anyone's terms!

At Arlanda we found our hotel and put bags in luggage room before heading back to the station and heading off to Uppsala by train. On arrival, it felt like we were back in a university town. First stop, the cathedral where Carolus Linnaeus (Linne) is buried. What a ridiculously ornate and great cathedral. The largest religious structure in Scandinavia and it is nearby where Sweden's first christian cathedral was built in the 1200s. Photos will show more of the story but wow. Sweden is dominated by evangelical Lutheran faith.

Then to check out some of the nearby university locales. We found our way to the Orangery (a conservatory of sorts) and cactus collection, where we were thrilled to find amongst other cool specimens, a large columnar cactus (see photos) that is reportedly still a continuous plant that Linnaeus himself cultivated!!!! Mintage. Extremely understated with not a tourist in sight. We then headed over to the zoology museum, again a great collection. We ALMOST snuck into a lecture, but did spend some time sitting in the library soaking up the intellectual vibe of the uni.

A punishing walk back to the train station (serious regret for carrying my full backpack around all day with lots of stuff jammed in, ready for flight tomorrow) and back to the hotel in Arlanda. Comfy room and ready to find our way onto the flights tomorrow.

As we finish our Sweden leg, it's significant that we found it to be altogether a less expensive and generally kind spirited type of people. Less of the hipster clad cyclists than Copenhagen and less aggressive than Oslo, but less country vibe than the regional Norwegians. Lasting memory is the low sensory and very relaxed children and parents. Still plenty of phone zombies but less pretention.