Another difficult farewell

As so often, I find it hard to say goodbye to my beautiful sleeping spot. The enormous rocks in the lake, little ducks swimming between them, fish in the clear water, and the sun sparkling around the water lilies. It’s a celebration for me. My celebration, especially after that spectacular sunset yesterday.

Delicate birch trees and majestic pines

The path is nice too. Varied, from easy to difficult forest trails, from deciduous forests with delicate birch trees to coniferous forests with majestic pines. Also passing through fields, alongside corn that’s taller than I’ve ever seen, meadows with cows, curious teenage calves, and some horses here and there.

Lake area

The Skåneleden Coast to Coast is becoming even more beautiful. Especially because this is such a vast lake area. You walk from one lake to another, always with a different view. Sometimes along the shore, then high on a hill where you see the lake glistening between the trees. I’m enjoying it.

Tripped

Today, I end up at a rather strange shelter – very low and shallow. With the wrong wind, I think you won’t stay dry in it – next to a babbling stream. Fifty meters before I arrive, I trip over my sandal. Broken. Dead. Finished. Irreparably destroyed.

Nooooo, not now!

Without saying a word, I stare at it. What? “No, nooooo, not now” I scream internally. I’m really upset. I want to stay in Sweden for another three to four weeks, as long as the weather remains good. My other closed shoes are almost worn out too. I don’t know if they can last three more weeks…

Just accept it

I’m really taken aback for a moment, but I try to see it as a learning opportunity. If I’m going to be out for three or four months, I really need to bring more footwear. They wear out faster than I thought. Luckily, the terrain here isn’t very challenging, but with worn-out soles, it can also become dangerous. Deep sigh. Accept it, Marnix. Accept it. There’s nothing you can change about it now.

Walking barefoot

Listening to the babbling water, I slowly start to relax again. It is what it is. I’ll see how far I get. If not, I’ll just walk barefoot instead of in barefoot shoes. Although all that gravel doesn’t sound very pleasant to me. Ouch!

Overnight stay: Östafors