May 14, 2024

I actually manage to get up early and head out in good spirits. I come across a lovely little church with another unique bell tower—these seem to pop up all over the place here. I refill my water – there’s always a tap at cemeteries – and keep walking. Before long, I’m hungry again. Around 12:30, I fry up some eggs and bacon for lunch. Using the beautiful multitool engraved with my name—gifted by my fantastic colleagues when I said goodbye—I fix my hiking pole. Thanks team, this tool is proving incredibly useful!

Once again, I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. I sit for hours, and yet—there it is again—that nagging feeling of guilt. Why? I don’t owe anyone anything! Still, that little voice keeps chattering: you’re not making enough progress, you’re being lazy, blah blah. How persistent these thoughts can be… And that, even though today’s route is beautiful: no more highways, just rolling farmland and forest.

At the Willy:s supermarket, I restrain myself so I don’t end up lugging a heavy cart again. While walking through the town of Ljungby, I’m stopped by a couple and their young son. The Swedish woman is excited: “We saw you walking this weekend too! We’ve never seen a cart like that before!” She introduces herself, asks a ton of questions, and really wants a photo with me. I think it’s pretty funny, so I pose while her husband takes a few pictures.

I walk quite a bit more and find yet another stunning spot with a picnic table and a small dock. I wash my things, cook a good meal, and sleep wonderfully again. It may be starting to sound repetitive—all this happiness—but honestly, I could get used to this.