Twenty Days in Halland

I wake up to rustling. A little bird inspects my shelter and is quite busy with it. Today I will walk the final stage of the Hallandsleden. It’s almost over, and I’ve traversed Halland from north to south in twenty days.

The Hallandsleden was beautiful, sometimes challenging, regularly surprising, and occasionally downright awful. I have walked, swum, gotten lost, laughed, cursed, met people, and especially learned that I don’t always have to push through. Sometimes it’s actually wonderful to simply not have to go anywhere.

Off the Route

However, I do need to go off the route today to do some shopping and charge my power bank. My solar panels keep malfunctioning, and I can’t rely on them. Våxtorp will be the detour. In the village, I’m welcomed by a sign that reads “Våxtorp med anor från 1200-talet”, with a history that goes back to the 13th century. The medieval church has its oldest parts from the 13th century. Fortunately, some adjustments have been made to the church in the meantime, as I find an outlet outside. Bingo!

The Final Stretch

On a bench in the sun, as it’s windy and a bit chilly, I sit down, eat, and write. Then back on the path for the final stretch. The first section goes quickly, back on the road from the village to the trail. A boring stretch follows on gravel roads through monotonous forest. Then I see a sign: “Koarp 3 km.” Now the end is truly in sight.

Disappointment

What a letdown… I still have to go quite a bit up, tackle a fallen tree, and navigate winding paths with holes and stones, but then I will be there. The Hallandsleden is complete!

Solar Eclipse

I heard through the grapevine that there is a solar eclipse tonight, but unfortunately it is cloudy and I also don’t have any glasses to protect my eyes. No CDs either, because I remember we looked through a CD during the last eclipse. I guess I’ll go cook, I haven’t eaten anything warm yet. It will be a delicious bean dish.

Hiding in my tent

When the wind dies down, suddenly there are swarms of mosquitoes and gnats. It’s unbearable. Quickly, I set up my tent anyway. I don’t want to be eaten alive by these little friends on this last day.

Overnight: Koarp