...more of the castle near Eskilstuna, Sweden

Hej Hej again...that's hey hey in English..."Hello". I love this greeting. It's said with a positive uplifting tone.

Driveway to the Tido Castle

 Tidö was built by the Lord High Chancellor of Sweden Axel Oxenstierna in 1625–1645.

The castle is called Tidö Castle. 

The bronze portrait on this monument marker is remarkable in its resemblance to Abraham Lincoln.  

Tidö is one of Sweden's best preserved Baroque palaces in the Dutch Renaissance style.

Interior

View from above 

(OK, I snagged this one. Obviously Volvo wasn't paying for a helicopter and an Audi!)

Ornate crest. As in other countries the lion on the crest signifies a connection to royalty.

Scupper in the shape of a fish.

Lake Mälaren

You can see on this map where Eskilstuna is located and also Tido Castle.

Lake Mälaren is the third largest lake in Sweden and drains into the Baltic Sea. Before the highway was built, it was an important transportation route, playing a crucial role in the industrialization of Sweden. The original Volvo factory (heavy machinery, not the car) was in Eskilstuna along an outlet to the Baltic Sea.

The lake also has a rich Viking history.

This map shows the importance of  Lake Mälaren's location as it flows through Stockholm and out into the Baltic Sea.

Lake Mälaren at sunset crossing the bridge back to Eskilstuna.

Tomorrow I drive to Stockholm. We have been warned not to do this, but those who have been on trips with me know how much I love to drive and this seems like a challenge I can't pass up. Love has agreed to be my navigator and is as adventurous a traveler as I am.

Yahoo!

God Natt!

(Goodnight in Swedish)