Wasps, foxes, badgers, deer and wild boars

#throwback – 14 June 2024

I wake up very early and do some writing. I enjoy writing most in the early morning, when my mind is clear and empty, and inspiration is at its peak. It feels as if the words just flow effortlessly from the keyboard.

All the while, I hear a buzzing sound, and suddenly I realize I’ve been sleeping under a wasps’ nest. It’s a beautiful sight: a structure built from layers of chewed wood and plant fibres, now still about the size of a tennis ball. I’m not sure whether it’ll still be possible to sleep in the hut once the nest grows, but maybe it’ll be fine as long as I leave the wasps alone.

The weather is cool but dry. There’s barely any difference between day and night — it’s 11 degrees at night and just one degree warmer during the day. I feel wonderfully zen, and what strikes me most is that I’m no longer struggling with procrastination. If I see rain coming, I immediately put the cover on my cart and get out my rain gear. I don’t wait until it actually starts raining. It’s an annoying chore, but when I delay it, I usually end up getting wet anyway. A pebble in my shoe? I stop right away and take it out. And I’ve got more examples like that. It might sound trivial, but it feels like a real victory for someone who’s long been a chronic procrastinator when it comes to unpleasant tasks.

The route is beautiful and varied — forest, open landscape, castles, and the little town of Trosa. I cook my meal at a ‘gran-di-o-so’ viewpoint and once again thoroughly enjoy my own cooking skills. On the map, I see there are several picnic areas in the Tullgarn nature reserve, and indeed I find a lovely spot to camp. Just off the trail, I discover a place by the water, where many waterbirds are busy with their nests. In the hour before I get there, I spot a fox, a deer, black wild boars, and a family of badgers. No shortage of wildlife here. After pitching my tent, I realize I can’t actually reach the water, but luckily I still have enough left for the night and for coffee. No need to be picky.

Pause on an Anthill

#throwback – 13 June 2024

Relieved that things ended well yesterday, I let out an antisocially loud yawn as I wake up.
Suddenly, a woman is standing next to my bed. She asks if I’m okay—apparently I arrived very late last night. Turns out her tent was pitched barely 20 metres behind the hut, hidden behind a rock…

I’m mortified—by my exaggerated yawning and the loud self-coaching I did during the night. She must have heard it. She did. But it also reassured her. At least she knew it was a decent human arriving.

She’s a striking figure, with red hair and tattoos. I’m impressed by her story: despite physical limitations, she heads out to do what she can do, rather than sulking at home. Often she walks no more than 5 km a day, but she’s out in nature, truly enjoying it—and you can see it!
We agree to stay in touch. These are the encounters that matter.

Grateful for my excellent health, I continue walking.
Not long after, to my surprise, I end up right back where I wasn’t allowed to camp yesterday. I’ve taken a wrong turn, and this route was much shorter. Yesterday’s ordeal wasn’t necessary at all…

When I take a break, I spot a sawn-off tree stump surrounded by pine needles. A perfect seat.
Then suddenly—ants! A whole column of them is marching into my rain trousers. I sat down on an anthill!

They’re big red ants. I tell myself to stay calm—if I panic and start slapping, they’ll definitely bite. I carefully take off my trousers and remove the ants. I should’ve known—a pile of pine needles is often a nest.

After walking barely 9 km, I come across a hut and decide to stay the night. After last night’s little adventure, I think that’s fair. The sun is shining now and it’s lovely here.

I sit on a rock doing nothing at all—and that’s everything.

By 7:30 p.m. I’m so tired I just go to sleep. Risking waking up at the crack of dawn—but so be it.
Instead, I wake after just 90 minutes. Then, at 10:30 p.m., I drift off again—this time until morning.