Notes from the North

It was a cold night. There were ice crystals on my tent in the morning. But I was very warm in my sleeping bag. And it's so nice to have something warm to drink on such a cold morning, instead of having to drink ice cold water. I'm so happy again to have gas. Since...

I had a wonderful afternoon and evening. It was a marvellous shelter in the most beautiful surroundings. There was a cold wind blowing and eventually it started to rain as promised and I had a great time being warm and dry in the shelter. Today I was walking on to...

There are different kinds of road surfaces. So far I've walked on asphalt, gravel (both very rocky or more sandy), wide forest paths or narrow ones. The forest paths are definitely the nicest to walk on. The wide ones are even better than the narrow ones. You can walk...

Today was a heavy day. I don't even really know why. I slept very well and was very happy with the campsite I had found. Right by a loch, where there were changing rooms for those who want to swim and more importantly for me, a compost toilet. I was up early as I...

Just when you thought things were going so well, challenges arise. This morning I ran out of gas for my storm kitchen. I knew that was going to happen. There was just enough for porridge and morning coffee. The plan was to go into a small town, Hestra, buy some food...

Today I started week 3. It's been two weeks since you drove me up to Helsingør (thank you so much Nina and Lise). Is it really only two weeks? I've walked about 300km and my days are getting longer. It's getting easier and easier to walk. Is it hard? It certainly is...

The day started with a morning dip in the loch. It just makes you feel so fresh and clean. The sun was high in the sky all day. It was pure bliss. I spent most of the day walking through forests, along lakes and past beautiful Småland farms. Småland is really...

After almost two weeks, I think I've achieved something like an everyday life, with clear routines and a certain rhythm. It feels familiar and completely normal. Today I walked from the forest north of Kinnared to Fegen National Park. Nothing special happened. I just...

The day started with sunshine and is about to end with sunshine too. On all levels. I wonder if there's a connection? Food also has a lot to do with whether the sun is shining inside. When I get tired because I've run out of fuel, the darker thoughts come. So it's...

Do you know the short story 'The Wall' by Marlen Haushofer? It's about a woman who suddenly finds herself alone behind an invisible wall that separates her mountain world, where she is, from the rest of the world. That's kind of how it felt today to walk. Everything...