Slow starters

The German hikers are just like me: slow starters. I slept wonderfully in my tent. Perhaps I should do that more often. They say they felt a bit cold in the shelter, because of the strong wind that had just picked up.

Back to the 18th century

After coffee and more coffee, I get going. Late. Just not 200 meters away lies an open-air museum. An authentic 18th and 19th-century Swedish farming village that has been preserved exactly in the same place. Because the entire area is protected as a cultural reserve, you as a visitor literally step 200 years back in time. It’s nice to take that step back, but let’s move on.

Doubt

I doubt what to do. Forest path or the road? I still don’t feel much like walking, especially not on difficult paths. Yet I decide to follow the official Hallandsleden. I can still take the road further on if needed. What a great decision! The route is beautiful. The forest paths seem made for Wheelie. I glide everywhere. Narrow trails between the blueberry bushes. Wider, needle-covered paths under the fragrant pine trees. Sections of smooth stone that feel like asphalt.

Kilometers of blueberries

For kilometers, I walk among the blueberries. I pick handfuls and eat them right away. They are divinely delicious. It’s quite labor-intensive to pick them. You don’t just fill a bucket, and I now understand why they are so expensive. The berries are hidden under the leaves and are scattered around.

I want beer!

The campsite is great. It has everything. Except for beer, which I suddenly crave a lot. A shelter, a toilet, a beach, tables, and some grass. I choose to set up my tent, and that’s a good choice because at half past nine, three British cyclists arrive. They are quite happy with the shelter.

Soft baby skin

Just before I go to sleep, I dive into the ripple-free lake. It is truly delightful. The water is warmer than the outside temperature, crystal clear, and wonderfully soft. My skin feels almost like that of a baby with the gentle water here. Fresh and sleepy, I dive into my sleeping bag. I take one last look through the screen outside. At the little beach, the lake, the sky…

Overnight stay: Stora Hornsjön