Road Trip 2025 (16) - Torpa Stenhus

Wednesday, 13 August - Part 3
Torpa Stenhus 

Our last stop on the trip was an old castle between Ulricehamn and Borås - Torpa Stenhus (literally: stone house). We've been there together before, and I've also visited it a few times with other friends. 

 I'm starting off with a photo of the castle taken back in August 2022, because this time I failed to get a front view of the castle itself. The weather and time of year was pretty much the same then as now, though!

View of the lake from where we parked the car. (The castle is up the hill to the left.)

 

The castle is only shown by guided tours, and just at the same time as we arrived, so did a bus full of tourists with a pre-booked tour... So we did not go inside on this occasion. (Besides, I seem to recall from the last time that they don't allow photography indoors anyway...)

History (From the castle's website)

The first part of castle was built around 1470. The wealthy bourgeoisie of the time asserted economic interest in the trade along the prosperous shores of River Ätran and River Viskan. The end of the 15th century were unsettled times. Not only came the threats from Danish troops; local peasants revolted frequently. The first building was as much a defense and trade construction as a permanent residence for the Castle owner and his family.

During the 16th century the building was reconstructed and an extension was added. Initially, the stairway tower was constructed and later the southern part of the Castle was added. The extension was completed around 1550 and served as a dignified enough residence for [King] Gustav Vasa’s brother-in-law and father-in-law, Gustav Olofsson Stenbock. With its unique architecture and beautiful interiors Torpa Stenhus counts among the best preserved medieval castles of the nation. - The castle has never been sold but has been passed on through the generations by inheritance.

In the cellar of the castle, they have a shop selling local arts and crafts. I snapped a few photos of things on display there:

 

(This one is for Ginny...)

This is a big heavy "life size" painted stone cat, which managed to bewitch my brother to bring it home with him. No doubt the heaviest souvenir he ever bought! (At least on our travels together...)

 For my own part, I settled for a much smaller painted stone item: A fridge magnet...

Before leaving, we also had something to eat and drink at the café in the barn.

▲ A couple of other buildings on the premises. ▼

 

 

Finishing off with different view of the castle from back in 2012 (when we were there on a cloudy day).

 

 Linking to Weekend/Street Reflections #242

 

 

 

Road Trip 2025 (15) - Jönköping, Golf Course

Wednesday, 13 August - Part 2
Jönköping, A6 Golf Club

Leaving Eksjö, we set off on the last "leg" of our road trip, back to Borås. The largest city between there and here is Jönköping (see the map at the bottom of the post). We knew from going the other way on our first day of the trip, that there were a lot of road works going near Jönköping - and we also didn't really feel like driving into the city centre anyway. (It's not quite as large as Linköping, but it's larger than Borås.) But we did need to stop for lunch somewhere... However, Jönköping has not just one, but two golf courses on the outskirts... And as I said in an earlier post from this trip (from Åtvidaberg): "One thing we've learned on previous road trips is that golf clubs usually also have restaurants serving lunch." I think we've also visited one of the two outside Jönköping before (years ago) - but this time it was the other one (new to us) that was most convenient: 

The restaurant is in the building to the left. I did not take any photos inside, but after lunch we went for a little stroll before we got back in the car again. 

There used to be an Artillery regiment in Jönköping (closed since 1985); hence the name A6 - and the reason for having this old cannon on display up on a hill, I suppose!!
 

 Golfers keen to practice hitting the ball  (or whatever the correct term is...)

 Linking to Skywatch Friday 

 

Road Trip 2025 (14) - Eksjö, Part 2

Wednesday. 13 August - Part 1

Eksjö Museum

▲Morning views from my hotel room in Eksjö▼

 

Passing a fancy old mirror on the way down to the breakfast room...

After we checked out, but before we left town, we went for a walk to the museum (which opened at 10). In the square (between the hotel and the church) they were setting up some market stalls.

 

Some photos from inside the museum, showing how people lived in the past:  

Artist's studio

 

Albert Engström (1869–1940) was a Swedish artist, author, and member of the Swedish Academy from 1922. He spent most of his childhood in a small village near Eksjö, where his father was the railroad stationmaster. In 1892 he enrolled at the Valand School of Fine Arts in Gothenburg to study under Carl Larsson. After that he was on the editorial staff for a satirical magazine for a couple of years, and then founded one of his own. 

 

Albert's glasses

 

A collection of old accordions.

Old tins

Old archives of the local newspaper