Andre and Wendy: Ysta and Simrishamn Sweden

Today we plan on visiting 2 seaside villages. Front desk convinced us to switch our plans and do the second town first then the first one, but when we arrived at the train station there was in “Incident” somewhere along the line and we switched back to our original plan of doing Ystad first as the Simrishamn train kept getting delayed. We have learnt that trains in Sweden are not the most reliable. If anything goes wrong around here there is only 1 track, which makes a big mess. Many rely on buses instead of trains, but they definitely are longer commutes. When you buy your train ticket it also works for the buses, we haven't had to switch to a bus yet, tomorrow is our last train ride so we shall see.

Ystad was a very pretty town of about 20,000 people. Our first stop was at the information center and they gave us a great walking map to follow to explore the town. Lots of half timber house, roses and holly hock outside the homes for decoration. We spent a couple of hours here just wandering the streets before we moved on to Simrishamn.

Simrishamn stop again we went right to the information center for a map. We asked if they had a recommended walk, well yes we do, just scan this QR code and it will give you the walk. Well, we are showing our age. We got the QR code and map but it was terrible to navigate, we decided to just wing it and walk around the main areas as it was only a small main area. The population was about 7,000 people in the central town.

We had the most amazing lunch here. We met some people at the train station waiting for our train that told us about this great fish place near the boardwalk. Then we asked at the information center where we should go for lunch and she told us if we liked fish to go to this place near the boardwalk. What a fantastic find. Definitely mostly locals. It reminded us a bit of L'aboiteau the old restaurant that burned down at home, you go to the counter and order the food then they bring it out to you. They only serve fish. I had a great haddock lunch special, Andre had smoked salmon. I have never seen smoked salmon served like this, it walk like a salmon steak that had been smoked. It was served cold and absolutely delicious. A great lunch.

After lunch back to wandering through town. Some cute little shops and lots of buildings like we have seen the last couple of days. This area is known for these timber houses and colored houses like the jellybean houses in St. Johns NFLD.

Train back to Malmo which was a bit late, but lucky no “incidents”. Stopped in the library at the hotel for tea/coffee and cookies which seems to be our thing to do here. Back to the room for a bit of a rest, meaning Andre working in pictures. Not too hungry after our big lunch so walk to the grocery store for sandwiches for the room for supper.

So many steps again today, I'm working on getting my steps in now for next week I think.

Steps 25,100

Ystad

Arriving in Ystad , love the name for a food truck

The train we took

charming cobblestone alleyway lined with historic, colorful houses in Ystad, Sweden

e Pilgrändshuset, a famous historic half-timbered house located in Ystad, Sweden. Built around 1480, it is widely considered one of the oldest and best-preserved half-timbered structures in Sweden.

historic courtyard of Per Helsas gård. A well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century trading estate featuring traditional red half-timbered (fachwerk) buildings and cobblestone paths.

Walking around Ystad:

Greyfriars Abbey (Gråbrödraklostret), a well-preserved medieval Franciscan monastery. Founded in 1267 by Franciscan monks, making it one of Sweden's oldest and best-preserved medieval monasteries.