Woken up by barking

The sea is colored orange as I open my eyes. It feels like I’m programmed for this. With my sleepy head, I admire the spectacle and not long after, I fall asleep again, only to be woken by a dog barking right next to my shelter. Its owner apologizes. He didn’t mean to wake me.

White beaches!

After coffee and another coffee – you can’t walk on one leg – I set off. And suddenly: there they are. The white beaches. How beautiful! I didn’t expect this here. The day starts calmly, with a little sun and just a breeze. But as the day goes on, the wind picks up. Wind force five to six. I’m pushing against it.

Kilometers long over the hard sand

The waves crash on the beach. The official route mainly goes through the dune area with loose sand, but I find it much nicer to walk along the beach, where I can see the sea. Moreover, it has just been high tide, and the sand is hard. It’s wonderful to ride with Wheelie. We walk for kilometers along the tide line and the fine white sand. No stones, no shells. Wheelie and I leave a trail that is quickly erased by wind and water. Fleeting and temporary, like life itself.

Flapping poncho

The wind is getting stronger. It feels as if the wind is cleansing my mind of worries and blowing in happiness. A unique sensation. Until it starts to rain. With the strong wind, that’s definitely not pleasant. My poncho flaps loudly, and I bend all the way forward against the wind. I feel alone, but not lonely.

A drop in the ocean

Until I see a couple walking hand in hand. Love knows no rain or headwind. For a moment, I think: it would be beautiful to experience that again. But if it doesn’t happen, that’s okay too. What freedom that actually gives. No longer searching. No longer needing. No longer being afraid of being left behind alone. Besides, I wouldn’t trade my life now for anyone else’s. Finding someone who fits into that? That wouldn’t be a needle in a haystack, but a drop in the ocean.

Eating in a closed restaurant

In the meantime, I’ve gotten quite hungry. I boldly sit under the awning of a closed restaurant on the terrace. I even find a power outlet. It couldn’t be better. After eating, I can continue with good spirits. And that’s much needed. It’s just as well that you don’t know in advance what awaits you.

The last stretch to the shelter?

Wild camping is not allowed here, so I have a shelter in mind. I think I have plenty of time, but that turns out to be quite the opposite. The wind has calmed down a bit and it’s no longer raining, but the next stretch is over pebbles and stones. With Wheelie, I’m making no progress. If I still have to go 200 meters, a very high staircase. Nooooo. I really don’t feel like that. I muster my courage and pull my cart up. Upon reaching the top: another staircase just like that. And to make matters worse: no shelter.

The Swedish ‘Stonehenge’

What now? It’s starting to get dark. I walk quickly and am completely surprised by Sweden’s ‘Stonehenge’. In the moonlight, it’s magical. But I still don’t have a place to sleep. A passerby tells me about a camper site on the edge of the village. I decide to walk there, as I won’t find anything here either. 1.7 kilometers back, in the dark. Tomorrow I can come back to see this special place in daylight.

I can’t see a hand in front of my face

Actually, I set up my tent in complete darkness. The only light comes from the restroom building, but it’s all the way on the other side of the grounds, where tents are allowed, and even the moon doesn’t provide any light. Is my tent set up correctly? No idea. I’ll find out tomorrow. Let’s hope for the best then.

Overnight stay: Kåseberg