May 14, 2024<\/p>\n
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\u2014these seem to pop up all over the place here. I refill my water – there\u2019s always a tap at cemeteries – and keep walking. Before long, I\u2019m hungry again. Around 12:30, I fry up some eggs and bacon for lunch. Using the beautiful multitool engraved with my name\u2014gifted by my fantastic colleagues when I said goodbye\u2014I fix my hiking pole. Thanks team, this tool is proving incredibly useful!<\/p>\n
Once again, I\u2019m thoroughly enjoying myself. I sit for hours, and yet\u2014there it is again\u2014that nagging feeling of guilt. Why? I don\u2019t owe anyone anything! Still, that little voice keeps chattering: you\u2019re not making enough progress, you\u2019re being lazy, blah blah. How persistent these thoughts can be\u2026 And that, even though today\u2019s route is beautiful: no more highways, just rolling farmland and forest.<\/p>\n
At the Willy:s supermarket, I restrain myself so I don\u2019t end up lugging a heavy cart again. While walking through the town of Ljungby, I\u2019m stopped by a couple and their young son. The Swedish woman is excited: \u201cWe saw you walking this weekend too! We\u2019ve never seen a cart like that before!\u201d She introduces herself, asks a ton of questions, and really wants a photo with me. I think it\u2019s pretty funny, so I pose while her husband takes a few pictures.<\/p>\n
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\u2014all this happiness\u2014but honestly, I could get used to this.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"