Signs of spring in Stockholm

Spring miraculously arrived here in the last three days. All of the sudden, the tulips, daffodils and forsythia are blooming. The grass is starting to turn green. A few buds are appearing on the bushes and trees. And perhaps best of all, the

The window box on MB's balcony.

Daffodils outside my front door.

cherry trees at Kungsträdgården  are now out in all their glory. We stopped by there on Sunday and it seemed like the blossoms cast a magical pink glow on everything. It was stunning. Hundreds of people were strolling amongst the blossoms and taking photos, basking in their beauty and simply sitting on the steps by the fountain. (As a side note, Kungsträdgården translates to the king’s garden. Given its close proximity to the royal castle, it was once used to grow vegetables for the king.)

Anyway you look at it, Stockholm is alive again after a long winter. And it’s not just nature that is putting on a show. All the sidewalk cafes are putting out their tables and chairs again. Those that did not make their appearance this weekend will be out by May 1. Fountains have again been turned on at Sergels Torg and Kungsträdgården. Plus, the street cleaners have been getting rid of all the sand and gravel on the sidewalks, thereby making walking a less gritty business. And what I particularly love is that all the boats are moving from land and into the water again. From Friday until today, it seems like all the marinas have been busy putting the boats in their rightful places.

I love it. I just hope that it doesn’t snow again tomorrow. . .

The cherry blossoms at Kungsträdgården.

Tagged as: Kungsträdgården, Sandra Carpenter's book, Spring in Stockholm, Stockholm, writing about Sweden