Sunday morning in Borgholm was sunny and cool. Having breakfast on the terrace was tempting, but too cold. Jens and I were going to fly back home that day, so we filed our flight plans before leaving that pretty villa where we stayed:
Few kilometres south of Borgholm, the gardens of a beautiful Royal Castle Solliden were open to public, and we wanted to visit that place. This time, we chose a biking path through the forest:
Solliden Palace was built in 1906 for Queen Victoria, in Italian style:
Victoria had drawn her inspiration from Swedish doctor Axel Munthe’s Italian villa San Michele on Capri. Axel Munthe was her personal physician; he was a well-educated doctor and talented writer, among other things. His philanthropic nature often led him to treat the poor without charge, and he risked his life on several occasions to offer medical help in times of war, disaster, or plague. I saw another villa of Munthe’s on Lake Siljan, called Hildasholm, when I was there in July. It was also very stylish, with nice gardens and stunning views over the lake.
Victoria suffered from severe bronchitis, and Axel Munthe recommended her to spend winters on Capri. Whilst staying there for several months a year, the Queen often visited the villa San Michele, went for walks together with Munthe, and had a close friendship with the doctor. It was rumoured they were lovers, but this has never been confirmed. Young Princess Maria of Russia, who by request of King Gustaf V of Sweden twice stayed with the Queen and Munthe at Capri, found Munthe’s influence damaging and his powers hypnotic.
So, the inspiration for Solliden was drawn from the villa San Michele.
The Palace is not open for public, but large parts of the castle grounds are open during the summer season.
A beautiful place in the gardens, called The Well, on the photo below. Queen Victoria had this well built when the park was constructed. The prepossessing collection of English roses was a 70th birthday present to the King Carl XVI Gustaf from the Danish Royal family. Rose trellis and arbour in unworked naturally cut hazel are Solliden’s own. The King chose the roses varieties himself:
Solliden was a peaceful and lovely place. We continued to Kaffetorpet, a delightful allotment and craft croft from the end of 1850. At that time, it was a popular destination for many Borgholm families and bathing guests. Today, Kaffetorpet is owned by the King Carl XVI Gustaf, and is run by Sollidens Slott AB. There is an art gallery, a shop, and a restaurant – where we had our lunch in the garden:
Some of the newer wooden houses were charmingly “supported” by older ones made of stone:
After lunch, Jens and I biked to the Borglanda aerodrome. We were going to Hässleholm first. I called Kurth from the Hässleholm flying club, and asked him to help us with fuel. Kurth kindly agreed.
Meanwhile, the weather changed from pure blue skies to shower rains:
We saw rainbows on our way:
Sometimes the clouds looked dramatic:
We landed in Hässleholm, where Kurth already waited for us, and refuelled. What do you think Jens and Kurth are talking about? About size, of course! The size of batteries in their cars!
After a short break and an ice-cream, we continued home to Holbæk in Denmark:
The weather has become better, less headwind, and no more shower rains:
We waived goodbye to hospitable Sweden:
Two happy pilots in the cockpit, after a great weekend on Öland:
At home, Anders was going for a sunset flight:
Jens and I used at least one hour for cleaning my aircraft, refuelling, and so on. We had a cup of tea in the club house before driving home, and chatted about all those wonderful things we had experienced during our trip.