Today I had to decide whether to go shopping in the town I was passing through. I didn’t really need anything other than tea and chocolate. Was it worth the 4km detour? Yes, I thought it was, because tea and chocolate are good for morale. Besides, I didn’t want to miss out on pizza, which didn’t require a detour and the place didn’t open until 11am.

When I arrived at Morgårdshammar’s pizzeria at 10.40am, the door was already open. So I went in and said that I would like to eat there but that I needed to shop first. It was fine and I just had to leave my rucksack there. It was fantastic. I could walk the 4km without any luggage. Hooray!

I sat in the pizzeria for a long time. They had a sofa and I was comfortable there. I was enjoying the pizza maker doing his thing in the background and he told me to just take it easy. I realised that what makes it difficult sometimes is not so much the weather or bad trails, but lack of contact with people. If someone sees me and raises their arm to say hello, I immediately grow 5cm. It’s amazing what it does. On the way to the grocery store, I met an old lady pushing her walker. I smiled at her and she smiled back as if it was the first contact she had had in days. Whether it was real or not, I don’t know of course, but I thought that I can now better understand how difficult and depressing it is for people who are lonely and rarely have contact with others.

I also decided to treat myself a little. I booked a room in a hostel in Mora, which I will reach in a week tomorrow. A single room with shower and toilet, bed linen and towels. I’m really looking forward to it.

When I finally left the pizzeria, I walked easily and effortlessly. Tonight, I’m sleeping in a shelter near a mining area. So I was a little concerned about water. Shortly before I got there, I saw a man in his garden and asked him for water. He was happy to give it to me. Now I’m prepared for the evening and  the morning. My tent is set up inside the shelter. I’m fully protected from the wind and rain that will come tonight. Aren’t I’m lucky?