Busy and calm at the same time

This spot by the sea is incredibly delightful. I just can’t say goodbye to it. I often feel this way about beautiful places, but here it’s especially strong.

I enjoy the sunset and then the sunrise again. Several times I wake up in the night and look outside. Each time the sky is different. From intense orange to soothing gray-blue.

There’s not much difference between low and high tide, but on the strip that dries out, geese graze and an oystercatcher persistently pecks with its long orange beak in the salty ground. It’s a complete bustle and yet so incredibly quiet.

This anti-hero just does it

This anti-hero in open water (i.e., cold water) even goes swimming in the morning. My back always protests fiercely before it wants to go under the water. It costs me quite a bit of effort. But I make a good effort, down I go… only to almost not want to come back up. Well…

A little white jellyfish

I swim about fifty meters out from the shore to a small plateau and sit there for a while. Next to me swims a little white jellyfish. I watch the graceful movements, beautiful! Luckily I know these jellyfish are harmless and I can swim back with a peaceful mind.

The morning dive is popular

It’s clear that this is a beloved spot. People keep coming by for a morning dive. No one makes much noise. It feels like we are all doing the same thing: enjoying the tranquility of this morning.

Thank you, little spot

When I finally pull myself away from this spot, I say out loud: “Thank you, little spot.” I used to find that quite silly, because I always thank a nice sleeping spot when I leave. Why, really? No idea. It feels like a way to express my gratitude. And I believe gratitude is one of the shortest paths to happiness.

Eight of us in the night

The rest of the day I continue along the coast. Passing through small villages, harbors, and patches of forest, until I arrive at a shelter near Fjällbacka. It turns out to be occupied. Fortunately, there’s a nice spot a little further for my tent. Later, more hikers and cyclists arrive. Eventually, we spend the night together with eight of us. All close to each other, yet each in their own world.

Overnight stay: Fjällbacka