Färnebofjärdens camp site, north west of Uppsala - Sunday, 21 August

Geoff
There is forest either side and behind the site. This morning, before breakfast, I went off discovering. Immediately outside the site entrance, there was a path into the forest. After a few yards, it forked. I took the left fork and a clear path followed parallel to the road although out of sight of it. It emerged among some red painted buildings in a clearing. Outside one of them were some simple tables and bench seats. There was no-one around and I wondered if this was some sort of summer retreat or camp. I crossed the road and found a very wide track going back parallel to the road going back on the other side, although at a lower level. The road carries very little traffic and I met no-one.

Paul and Sheila left to continue their travels and we exchanged email addresses. Paul maintains a website, a real labour of love, detailing their annual trips in their camper van since 2003. The address is http://langford-associates.com. I have dipped into it and their 2015 trip to Finland looks as if it may be useful for when we get there in early September as we haven't planned anything and it's useful to have some recommended camp sites.

Around lunchtime, I walked to the neighbouring village of Österfärnebro, about 1.5 miles each way, as there is a little supermarket there. The main thing needed was milk. I was thirsty so bought a litre carton of lingonberry juice drink. Lingonberry sauce is traditionally served with the favourite Swedish meal of meatballs. The drink tasted very similar to cranberry juice.

After a lazy afternoon reading The Sunday Times, a walk was called for. I followed a waymarked trail for some way, over duckboards (as parts were boggy, being close to the lake) and through forest. The trail was indicated by an orange line on a map from the site reception and, on the ground, by orange paint on trees. It was impossible to get lost as the path was so clear and there was always an orange splash within sight.  The forest was so quiet and still. If I'd had time to walk the complete trail, after 5km I would have reached the village of Gysinge. Here, there is a national park information centre which we plan to visit tomorrow. Some of the duckboards were lethal and I measured my length on one that was sloping a bit. Slightly dirty trousers and my dignity dented but otherwise no harm done.

In all, I've walked 12km today, according to my pedometer, which isn't bad, although I'm not sure how accurate it is.

Amanda

We woke to greyness and mizzle, but the view was still beautiful in the mistiness. There was no need to move on, so we decided not to! A good chat with our neighbours this morning before they left was enjoyable and informative, they having travelled extensively through Europe in their camper-van. Paul has chronicled their journeys beautifully on his website, a labour of love, and his account of their time in Finland last year is particularly relevant for us.

I designated today a reading day, and spent some time dipping into the Sunday Times before returning to my current novel, 'The Versions of Us.' It needs concentration, and I keep losing the plot- or rather the three alternative plots which are woven together. I shall persevere.

Meanwhile G walked the three mile round trip to the nearest shop for milk and necessaries. The weather brightened, and a couple of people braved a swim in the lake this afternoon, but came out again pretty quickly! We contented ourselves with watching them whilst swinging gently on the large lakeside wooden swing!

I went with G for a short stroll through the woods before supper, turning back and leaving him to walk on when the path led us across a slippery wooden plank bridge. My decision was justified when he returned a bit later with a muddy bottom! The woods are full of wild mushrooms of all sorts - a treasure trove if you know the right ones to pick!

The campsite owners write in their tasteful  little brochure that in this  place, (

We woke to greyness and mizzle, but the view was still beautiful in the mistiness. There was no need to move on, so we decided not to! A good chat with our neighbours this morning before they left was enjoyable and informative, they having travelled extensively through Europe in their camper-van. Paul has chronicled their journeys beautifully on his website, a labour of love,and his account of their time in Finland last year is particularly relevant for us.

I designated today a reading day, and spent some time dipping into the Sunday Times before returning to my current novel, 'The Versions of Us.' It needs concentration, and I keep losing the plot- or rather the three alternative plots which are woven together. I shall persevere.

Meanwhile G walked the three mile round trip to the nearest shop for milk and necessaries.
The weather brightened, and a couple of people braved a swim in the lake this afternoon, but came out again pretty quickly! We contented ourselves with watching  them whilst swinging gently on the large lakeside wooden swing!

I went with G for a short stroll through the woods before supper, turning back and leaving him to walk on when the path led us across a slippery wooden plank bridge. My decision was justified when he returned a bit later with a muddy bottom! The woods are full of wild mushrooms of all sorts - a treasure trove if you know the right ones to pick!

The campsite owners write in their tasteful  little brochure that in this place, (Färnebofjärden

Camping) they found their little paradise. That is how it feels. It is incredibly quiet (only the sounds of nature most of the time) peaceful and relaxing, especially today when there are very few people left. The only downside is the flying insects, but they are unavoidable in the woody lakeside surroundings when it is so still.