#throwback – May 26, 2024

It’s Sunday and I set off early. It doesn’t feel quite right to be sleeping so close to the village, and there’s a steady trickle of joggers and dog walkers passing by. Luckily, even on Sundays, the supermarkets open at 7 a.m., so I can already pick up some breakfast. I eat it on a bench outside: gräddfil—a Swedish dairy product a bit like quark, with a tang reminiscent of buttermilk—topped with muesli and a banana. It’s become my go-to morning meal.

Gränna is a charming little village. There’s not much going on yet at half past eight on a Sunday morning, but still, the place has a lively feel. It’s known for its traditional red-and-white striped candy canes—polkagris—which look like miniature walking sticks. The town is full of cozy shops and inviting restaurants.

Nine kilometers in, I’m already hungry again. I brew another coffee and enjoy it with a fresh Swedish treat I picked up from the store. Sunday feels like a perfect excuse for a sweet indulgence.

What a great day for walking—my legs feel strong and light, and I can really tell how much fitter I’ve become. I should add that the trail is beautifully flat today, with hardly any climbs or descents, which definitely helps.

By half past one I’m hungry again and find the perfect lunch spot: a picnic table nestled among wildflowers with a stunning view of Lake Vättern. The flame in my pan flares up briefly but dies down just in time, and the meal turns out delicious—if I may say so myself. As I eat, I drift into thoughts of a life like this one: walking, writing, eating, sleeping—and little else. By writing, I don’t mean journal entries like this, but real creative writing. Making something beautiful with words. That’s the dream. What if it actually came true?

Tonight I sleep in a shelter in the Krakeryd Nature Reserve. My tent stays tucked away in the cart. I write until the cold creeps in, then slip into sleep—dreaming of the best life I can imagine.