Sauntering Vaguely Downward

Skansen is the Swedish cultural museum. It looks from the outside like a children’s amusement park, and it has elements of this in it, but it’s also a buildings museum and a zoo and a showcase for traditional practices of Swedish ethnic groups, like reindeer herding. It has an inexplicable funicular.

Critically, it is also extremely good for shed inspiration.


This Sami dwelling combines all the best things about sheds, treehouses, and log cabins, does it not? Yes please, one of these for my back garden.


First stop: Lunch at Solliden (a gigantic burger and chips, because did I mention the big strong beers on Friday night?)


For some reason there were various illuminated animals scattered about the buffet. This one is presumably calculated to haunt the dreams of all the children.


Then, onwards with the exploring. This is the stage, where cultural events take place.


A beautiful wooden windmill, framed by autumnal foliage.


Red wooden allotment hut with white trim. Shed Inspiration #1.


Shiny silver globe covered in green netting and surrounded by pretty purple wildflowers.


Stunning ochre house with grey shutters, the Hazelius mansion, home of the founder of Skansen.


These houses are works of art.


Arched doorway leading to a garden.


Ye Olde Garden Centre.


Ye Olde Petrol Pump.


Ye Olde Telephone Booth.


I am not entirely certain what this eagle is thinking of the cherub’s attempt to use it as winged transport. Cherub and eagle both to scale.


Dear Cherub, Do Not Trust that bust.


Carl Linnaeus examines his plants.


King Oscar’s Terrace. He liked overlooking things in a grand way, I guess.


More autumnal foliage from Oscar’s Terrace. Note the masts of the Vasa Museum (built around a sunken 17th-century wreck) poking up from the trees on the left.


The inexplicable funicular viewed from the walkway over the tracks.

One green carriage goes down the track…


...whilst the other simultaneously travels up.


Much shed inspiration now follows.


Such wonderful little details.


Yep, definitely a desirable shed.


We watched the flatbread baking, done by people in costume, but it was forbidden to take photos. The flatbreads were bigger than I’d expected, like a large pizza.


Person in costume, roaming about.


Rune stone.


This one is all about the carving above the little porch.


Can I have these at ¼ scale please, for my sheds?


I can probably stop repeating the word “shed” now.


Look, reindeer!


If only there were a way to fold this up and take it in the car for camping.


It’s got a reindeer antler as a door handle. Nothing about this can be improved.


Here’s that perfect Sami dwelling again.


Another reindeer. They really do blend well with the landscape.


Harbour seal habitat.


Expectant harbour seals await their lunch.


There was a time when someone thought that this bear cutout was a good thing to put in front of their shop.


More attractive woodwork.


Rather garish green and blue (very un-Swedish, I am informed) woodwork.


Bunnies grazing on a turf roof whilst children observe from a small clear plastic dome.


Cattle and calves, grazing.


Silky-haired goats and their keeper.


Rather ominous-looking sheep-shearing device.


Small, colourful train makes it easier for tired legs to tour the whole park.


Back to the shed inspiration, I’m afraid.


Lovely turf roof.


The Forester’s Hut (is more luxurious than the name would suggest).


This is more of a Forester’s Hut.


Room with a View of a Pond.


This is a barn. Not a shed. Really.


Wheelhouse.


One final look out over the autumn foliage before descending back down the hill.

Another tram ride carried us back to the Central Station, whereupon I returned to the hotel for a disco nap, so as to be fully prepared for Bodyfest that night.