Gripsholm is conquered!

Yes, there is life outside the mission office! We broke away and braved the cold and fog of a late fall Scandinavian day for a repeat drive to Gripsholm with the mission couples. With the help of our contact, Torsten, we were allowed entrance and toured the massive Castle, which has been the home of the Swedish National Portrait Gallery since 1822. We began by seeing King Gustav Vasa done in a wood relief, dating back to the 16th century. Other paintings and portraits total close to 4,000; many of which are not on display. Often the paintings were wall sized, while others were three to four feet in height. The portrait Castle display was on a par with the museums we have visited in Kiev, Moscow and St. Petersburg. Noteworthy, were the many pieces of royal furniture and expensive handpainted and wood inlayed wall, ceiling and floor panels. Kings, nobility and their families lived in the Castle until the the early 1800's.

We gained admittance again to the dungeon tables for a late afternoon lunch. From the castle grounds, we viewed the beautiful scenery across the lake through the fog....as seen in the photos. We dressed warm to be outside and in the unheated castle. It now becomes dark very early in the afternoon. Today it was dark by 3:30 pm! We love our brave "Lunch Dungeoneers!"