' Gay Stockholm The Gay Community Centre, Sveavagen 59 (Tbana Mdmansgatan) has a restaurant, cafe, bar, disco and bookshop, as well as counselling services and meeting facilities. It also houses the Swedish Federation for Lesbian and Gay Rights (RFSL: «08736 02 13), who sponsor various events Gay Pride week is the second week of Aug. Laundry Selfservice launderettes at Sturegatan 4 and St Eriksgatan 97. Left luggage Lockers at Central Station (20kr per day) and the Silja and Viking ferr> terminals. Central Station also has a left luggage office (daily 7am11.30pm; 40kr per day). Lost property Offices at Central Station («08762 20 00); Police, Bergsgatan 39 («OS769 30 00); SL, Rdmansgatan Tbana («08736 07 80). Newspapers Buy them at kiosks in Central Station, Cityterminalen or at the Press Center, with branches at Gallerian, Hamngatan, Regeringsgatan 12, and Sveavagen 52. Read theni for free at the Stadsbiblioteket (City Library), Sveavagen 73, or at Kulturhuset, Sergels Torg. Pharmacy 24hour service at С W. Scheele, raarabergsgatan 64 («0824 82 80). PoUce Main HQ (Polishuset) at Agnegatan 3337 («08769 30 00); a local office in the Central Station. Post office Main office at Vasagatan 2834; MonFri 8am6.30pm, Sat 10am2pm; for poste restante, take your passport. The post office in Central Station is open MonFri 7am10pm, Sat & Sun 10am7pm. Skiing There are thirty downhill ski slopes in the county, most reached easily by public transport. More info from the tourist centres. Swedish Touring Club STF, Drottninggatan 3133 («08790 31 00). Info about Swedish youth hostels, mountain huts, hiking trails, maps and membership. Swimming pools Outdoors at Vanadisbadet, Vanadislunden, Sveavagen, and at Eriksdalsbadet, Eriksdalslunden, Sodermalm; indoors at Forsgrenska badet, Medborgarplatsen 24, and GIHbadet, Drottning Sofias vag 20, Ostermalm. Telephones Telecenter at Central Station; daily 8am9pm. Toilets Central public toilets in Gallerian shopping centre, TCentralen and Cityterminalen. Travel agency KILROY travels, Kungsgatan 4 («0823 45 15), and out at the university in Frescati at Universitetsvagen 9 («0816 05 15), for discounted rail and air tickets, and ISlC cards. AROUND STOCKHOLM Such are Stockholm's attractions, it's easy to overlook the city's surroundings And, although the rural picture isn't that different, after only a few kilometres the countryside becomes noticeably leafier, the islands less congested, the wae brighter. As further temptation, some of the country's most fascinating within easy commuting distance of the city, like the spectacular MiUesga» sculpture museum and Drottningholm, Sweden's greatest royal palace. out is the little village of Mariefred, containing Sweden's other great Gripsholm and, like Drottningholm, it's accessible by a fine boat ride. LID IN G 6 AND M I L L E S G A R D £ N 3 S 7 trips, into the labyrinthine archipelago or to gentle Uppsala, really merit a longer stay, although if you're pressed for time it's possible to get in and out within a day.