More Swedish Experiences

Continuing to head south through Moskosel and Arvidsjaur, still enjoying the many lakes and beautiful landscapes.

It’s always a bonus to find a campsite that offers a good walk to stretch the legs – Hotings Campsite had a nature walk which took us across a causeway in the middle of the lake and then through the woods.  An old hunters hut still exists along with a ‘pine-cone’ loo!

Sunsets have been marvellous throughout – but we’ve had some heavy downpours as well. 

We decided to explore part of the Wilderness Road (well written up in the Lonely Planet guide) from Storuman out to Gaddete.  More beautiful views, and fantastic roads alongside the many lakes. 

We did a quick flit into Norway just to say “I’ve been there too!”  Unfortunately, in this particular corner of Norway, the roads are narrow and bumpy, and there were no nice ‘pull offs’ where we had been hoping to park overnight.  In the end, we found a spot off the very quiet road, beside the trees, and made do.  Sunset was good there too! 

The first vehicle to come past in the morning was the ‘snowpole’ lorry.  Very clever machine which drill a hole in the ground and drops the pole in.  These poles are obviously removed for the summer months so that the verges can be cut.  (how to keep your roadmen in employment all year round!) 

As you can imagine, some campsites have been much better than others.  Back in Sweden we headed south east to Gallo where we stopped for a couple of nights.  Nice quiet site on a lake (of course!) and with a lovely walk 435metres up what is normally a ski slope – good views at the top.

However the real thrill was following a challenging path through the trees to a mountain tarn. What a beautiful discovery.  Wonderful reflections on the tarn, but also the provision of a BBQ hut, complete with logs, axe, matches, firelighters and a grill pan.  If you had the energy to cart everything up the mountain, you could have a brilliant family BBQ there!  There was also a very nice bench outside, facing south, where we sat and enjoyed our flask of coffee.

Lunch stops have been a joy – Peter studies Google Earth to find a good spot.  Mostly regular picnic sites, which are often beside a rushing river, or a lake.

Finding a ‘nature place’ (naturplats) is a bonus – these are normally down a narrow track and well off the road.  A quiet lake with rapids at both ends along with some fantastic skies was today’s treat. 

I’ve mentioned before how marvellous the roads have been  – after 2700 miles of driving, (90% of which I have done, due to Peter’s eye complaint) we were brought down to earth today as we came upon 30 km of road works!  VERY bumpy gravel road, deep gravel in places and VERY dusty.    After 15 km we came across the lorries actually working.  No indication was given as to where I was to drive – they just carried on, as I drove around them!  Eventually there was a section with traffic lights, where cars have to wait to be escorted through –  we had joined two other cars by then – heavy traffic for us!  Our journey took much longer than expected, but Molly seems to have survived unscathed. . .

Heading for the Baltic Coast and then south to Stockholm over the next week – until then . . . .