We leave Norway behind us with the Color Hybrid.
On the ship, thousands of Norwegians who simply take a two-and-a-half hour ferry ride, including passport and customs checks, to go shopping in Sweden, just like the so called ‘butter trips’ used to be. On the ship, people are carousing, eating, playing poker and gambling.
In Bengsfors, Dalsland, fond memories of our family adventure canoe trip on Lake Foxen in 2008.
the north cape. We wish them stamina.
Before Karlstad, we ride to a campsite that reminds us a lot of the Adriatic camping towns. At the entrance there is a display showing how many camper van, caravan and tent pitches are still available. The campsite bus goes directly to Ikea. This is how the Swedes go on vacation.
The site is located on Lake Vänern, Sweden’s largest lake. Bathing bays, like by the sea, only fresh water. Our tent on a small meadow with ten other small tents. It does not matter that the pitch is so big. There are several service buildings with sanitary facilities, kitchens with cooking utensils, refrigerators and seating. There is even a TV where we watch European Championship football in Frankfurt. We can shop in the little store until 10 pm. We have it charming.
A few kilometers further on in Kristinehamn, we stop to rest and happen to hear about a Picasso sculpture nearby. We adjust our route and stop by.
With a lack of landmarks along the way and lots of agricultural landscape, we take our time for the towns, cycling to Karlstad, Kristinehamn, Degersfors and on to Örebro. Culture replaces nature.
The whole thing reaches its peak in Örebro. A city between Gothenburg and Stockholm holds us captive with its OpenArt exhibition. We spontaneously decide to spend a day in Örebro and move in with Cecilia and Kalle. The artist couple let us a room in their large house in the center of town.
Before heading east, we make a stopover in the Wadköping district. Back to the Middle Ages. People still live here, there are cafés, a bakery, workshops and a theater. No scenery.
Sweden…
is ‘look at infinity and let your soul dangle’, tranquil, relaxed, has forests and lakes, is gentle and lovely, and has the largest Picasso sculpture in the world. The Swedes are cheerful and open. You can buy everything in Sweden that you can buy at home. We bathe in fresh water.
Norway…
is spectacular and grandiose, is being discovered, is wonderful, has mountains and fjords, extremes, nooks and crannies, and the highest waterfalls in the world. Norwegians are reserved and friendly. Norway has salmon and bakalao, and brands that we don’t have here. Here people bathe in salt water. Rooftop tents are only available here.
After ten mostly sunny, warm days, the skies are now back to glorious colors and we ride under the raining clouds.