Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Stockholm with a New Friend from the Small World of EuroBall


Wednesday, 15 June, 2016:

I received a Facebook message from Scott Doherty, the QB/Head Coach of this year's Hassleholm Hurricanes, about meeting him today to act as a guide for his lone day in Stockholm.

Hässleholm was where I coached in 2010 and, as you may recall, I spent the weekend there a few weeks ago to watch the Hurricanes play and see some old friends.

Of course I said yes to his request.

I had to walk through these
woods to get to the bus stop

As is always the case, the 565 bus got me into the heart of Stockholm in an easy, stress free way in about 25 minutes.

We're having a party to celebrate
last Sunday's Wäsby Warriors
U11 Vikings victory

I took the short walk from the Sergels Torg where the bus line ends to Stockholm Central where Scott's train arrived right on time.

With Scott Doherty near on the
bridge to Djurgården

Scott was great!

As it turns out, he is from SoCal having attended and played for both Birmingham H.S. and Pierce JC.

He is married with two children and lives in Costa Rica. This was his fifth season in EuroBall having played two seasons each in the Czech Republic and Germany.

On our long walk through the city today we shared many stories about our EuroBall experiences, American football coaching philosophies and even some talk of the Camino de Santiago which his wife is interested in doing.

As I said, GREAT guy!

Yet another view of S:ta Klara

 We entered the Royal Palace
in the Gamla Stan

The Royal Family's Chapel

Understated but of course

We need more ceiling art
at Casa Contreras in Camarillo

A simple pulpit

According to my iPhone, we covered over ten miles today on foot as we crisscrossed the districts of Gamla Stan, Södermalm and Central Stockholm all the way out to Djurgården.

And it was hot.

 King Karl XIII
on the Kungsträdgården

 And then Royal Guard just
randomly marched by us

 Fist Bumping this BIG guy

 Home with the Grandkids
in 16 more days

A Parting Gift

After about five hours of site-seeing, we decided to go our separate ways, Scott to take the boat trip into the Stockholm Archipelago that I highly encouraged him to take and me to take the train back to Upplands Väsby as my legs were tired.

As we were saying our goodbyes, Scott pulled this Hässleholm Hurricanes hat out of his back pack, a gift from 'Cane Lucas Griph.

AWESOME and much appreciated!

Speaking of the 'Canes, Scott was taking the overnight train at about 11:00 p.m. tonight back to Hässleholm as he has an important practice with the team on Thursday.

Besides their regularly scheduled game at home on Saturday, the men in Green and Black will replay the game that I saw get rained out a few weeks ago on Sunday.

Two games in two days, YIKES!

That Sunday game will see a lot of sore bodies I'm sure.

WHAT A GREAT DAY TO BE INVOLVED WITH AMERICAN FOOTBALL!!!

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