Making our way south, we stop at the delightful town of Kalmar. Standing alone on its own island, we find the beautiful Kalmar Slott (Kalmar Castle). Built in the 14th century, it became the best-defended Castle in Sweden. The town of Kalmer had to be rebuilt following a devastating fire in the 17th century, moved to new ground, and is no longer in the shadow of the Castle.
We spent time walking the Castle and grounds, enjoying the best weather of the trip thus far.
Cannons in all directions.
A smile for the camera from my wonderful wife (she has the cannon!) as we walk the ramparts.
Walking through the town, we are reminded of the weather we have passed through. This massive electric locomotive has a snow plough attached, and we understand why!
Before travelling across the Island of Öland, we watch thousands of Eider ducks passing through the Kalmar Sund. (Kalmar Strait) The afternoon brings a bitterly cold wind, but it is no deterrent for the birds.
Wave after wave of these beautiful ducks migrates through the strait, flanked by the larger Black-Throated Divers returning to Arctic breeding grounds.
We can hardly believe it when we spot Little Ringed Plovers in the lens far out at sea. These little birds fly from their Winter feeding grounds as far away as southern Spain!
Late in the day, we cross the Ölansbron (Öland Bridge), a 6km-long road bridge linking the mainland with the Island of Öland (the land of windmills).
More than four hundred mainly constructed of wood and some of stone.
We spend the night near the port in Bornholm, Öland's capital town. On the open sea, male Eider ducks pump up their breasts in a mating display, trying to win the favour of alone females.
As the sun sets, a male Golden-eye duck dives, then rests in his search for food before continuing north.
The mainland is just visible across the strait.
The sun drops behind a ridge of clouds as the fishing boats leave the harbour and into the Kalmar sund.
The sun reappears just above Sweden's mainland.
What a beautiful end to a great day!
Higher than the migrating birds, this jumbo jet flying from Copenhagen heads north across the Arctic on its journey. Tomorrow, we will continue north on Öland.
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