Stockholm - July 7 th and 8 th.

We went to the Vasa museum early to beat the cruise ship crowds..... there are two new cruise ships near the marina every morning and more around the corner. We spent most of the day there despite the ship being the only major exhibit. Its almost complete preservation after over 300 years on the sea bed astonished us as much as it's obviously unstable shape.  It looks as if would fall over in the slightest of breeze which is exactly what happened to it.  The ornate carvings on the ridiculously high stern and very long beak at the front are still stunning and must have been awe inspiring when painted.  The day ended on a high as we managed to get Gas at the expensive marina a few minutes walk into town at a reasonable price. We think it's propane but it'll still work fine.
A cycle ride round our island (the park island) was a pleasant country diversion and we could hear cows from the boat.

An extreme ramming beak weighs down the bows.

A very ornate and high stern overbalances the stern.

Look at the people below and you'll see how high the ship was.  It's stability tests were stopped for fear of a capsize after 30 sailors had run three times from side to side.

This bus was amphibious.

Changing of the guard swedish style.

Grand rooms in the queens palace.

Heavily decorated ceilings throughgout showing the heavenly host.

We spent Friday visiting the royal palace which seemed the correct thing to do in the capital city.  Changing of the guard was a marching band concert and I especially liked the fairy tale pointy crowns in the treasury. 
Now we need a rest so plan to carry on tomorrow though we'll run out of paper charts.