Ringmuren

I started off the day on a nice 5 mile hike with Messi and Vanessa.  I've decided Vanessa never gets tired.  It's incredible actually.  And a little hard to keep up with. :) 

Swedish hike through the woods by the sea 

After the hike with Messi, we came back to the house, prepared a simple lunch from leftovers, and rested briefly before heading into Visby to do a little more sightseeing.  

First we visited the cathedral, Sankta Maria Domkyrka.  I am always amazed at the architecture and preservation of old churches.  There have, of course, been some modifications over the years, but it is still an incredible structure with lots of history both happy and sad.  And then there are the windows... stained glass windows are a particular weakness of mine.  The light in the church during high sun was incredible through them. 

An old map of the island in S:ta Maria

After I had looked my fill, we heading down through the narrow, winding streets to the Botaniska Trägård (Botanical Gardens) commonly called Botan.  It's a pleasant little place for a quiet walk.  There were many nooks being used for book reading and journal writing, and other open spaces where families lounge on blankets in the sun or took a picnic in the ornate gazebo.  I'll definitely be going back.  

S:ta Olaf Ruin in Botan 

Just along one side of the botanical garden fence runs the ringmuren, and a small portal called Kärleksporten (literally "Love Gate").  Vendela says tradtion is for couples to kiss under it as they walk through.  There are many little engraved romantic inscriptions in the stone around it.

Kärleksporten

  On our way back up to the car, we walked down what might be the most beautiful street in the world.  I was too impressed to remember the street name or to take pictures, but I do know it was misnamed because it had something to do with fishermen instead of roses.  Visby truly is "The City of Roses."  I've never seen so many healthy, beautiful, BIG, roses of different colors sprouting up out of tiny patches of earth in the cobble stoned streets.  Nearly every unique front door inside the city wall is flanked by healthy rose bushes in the summertime.  I'll do better at pictures soon.  I was just so overwhelmed I forgot :) 

Some of the AMAZING roses inside Ringmuren

We wound our way back up to the car and made for the harbor for ice cream at Europe's biggest ice cream bar (I think "biggest" here refers to number of flavors (somewhere around 150) and not necessarily space).  I tried locally made salmbär ice cream (which may be a new favorite flavor in general), with honung&flader (local honey and a white flower also common in Gotland flavorings) in a cone.  We went down by the boats and sat and chatted and enjoyed the warm weather before heading home to change for practice. 

Ice cream in the harbor

Monday is weights day.  My arms will be sore tomorrow.  But Stillman (our weight coach) is going to be a lot of fun to work with.  

Then to the store for dinner groceries, home to cook and eat, over to a little soccer complex with Boston and Vendela to play whatever games he could come up with to keep us entertained, back home for a melon and citrus flavored popsicle, shower, and now bed.  

Playing soccer with Boston at 10:00pm

It was, as usual, a good day that ends now in exhaustion and contentment.  I don't think I'll set an alarm for the morning.