Parking area at 57.44492°N 12.18550°E near Fjarås Kyrkby, south of Göteborg - Friday, 5 August

Geoff
I enjoyed a good night's sleep under the tarp, even though only some fifty feet from the camper. We got away quite early, planning to finish some way south of Göteborg, having identified a location. Although we like to avoid motorways wherever possible, it made sense to cover some quick miles by motorway and so did that for about one and a half hours. We then took off towards Falkenberg and then headed to the coast at Gommen, where we stopped for a lunch break overlooking the harbour.

The countryside was very nice and so different from Denmark. It all seemed so much bigger, which it is, of course. The roads were extremely traffic free. We found our overnight stop at Skårs Gård, Fjarås. There is a cafe, restaurant and holiday chalets, as well as a car park where camper vans are permitted. There are hook ups for electricity. We were told that we should pay in the morning.

I went off for a decent walk up through the forest behind. After only 200 yards, there was a path through the trees which had been decorated with lights along one side. This opened on to a clearing where there was a traffic light, switching from red to green and back. In the clearing, a small wooden dance floor had been constructed. A couple of fellows were putting the finishing touches to trestle tables and benches, the tables having been covered with colourful covers with candles. It was quite surreal. They told me of an annual dance where local people gather. It has been held for about thirty years and there would be music, dancing and eating into the night. Tonight was the night and the band would be arriving in a while. I was told that we would be most welcome. I thought no more of it and carried on through the woods.

I cut through between some modern houses along an unmade road and followed a vehicle track through the forest. It was quite lovely and I could have walked for miles although I had not the faintest idea where it went to. Although it was unmade, a couple of cars went by as if it was a through route.

Getting back to the camper, we had showers and ate our supper. Vehicles came into our car park from time to time, obviously bringing their occupants to the evening festivities. A coach then arrived, spilling out maybe ten young men. Then a couple of American vehicles came in, one a 1970s Lincoln Continental and the other a Chevrolet minivan, both extremely loud. One of the coach occupants had come over to say that we should go to the event and that it might go on till 1am or even 3am.

The Lincoln Continental

After a while, we looked at each other and an almost unspoken decision was made that we should do a runner imagining the inevitable noise in the early hours when the party ends and those 7 litre engines roar into life. We packed up in record time and, with light fading, we drove a few miles towards a forested nature reserve shown on the map. I thought we were bound to find somewhere to stop and, indeed, we have done so. Turning into a parking area, we were not the first. There are four other camper vans already here. Apparently, caravans and campers are forbidden but I don't expect us to be disturbed.

Where we ended up

Amanda

Last night's site was quite perfect and it was very tempting to stay on but we did want to get further up the coast. After a last walk down to the beach we set off and put an hour or so of motorway behind us before diverting to the coast for a lunch stop in a tiny dead end harbour village. Then inland in search of our overnight stop, and the country really opened up. Lovely views across fields and forests. The light is wonderful. All those Wallander views don't lie.

After an hour's drive on open roads which got narrower and more remote we arrived at what appears to be a cafe and day conference centre. We are in the large empty car park behind it with very pleasant open views. By 5pm the place was closed and all was quiet, just the showers and loos still open. G went off for a "leg stretch" at 5. Given that we are not sure exactly where we are on the maps we have, I tried not to show my mild alarm. At 6 I received a text  "be back in half an hour" I wasn't sure whether this was a confident prediction, or whether the subtext was " I haven't a clue where I am but with a bit of luck...." Anyway, he was back by the time I returned from my shower, enthusing about the walk and having discovered that a once-a-year music event is taking place in the woods behind us this very night! Hope the music is good!!

Now 7.15. The band are warming up and cars, and now a large coach, are arriving. I don't think we will need to pay 150K each to hear them, but we may wander up later to see what's going on.

Later the same evening ... we have done a runner just as it got dark as more and more cars arrived and are now hiding in a car park several miles away at a nature reserve hoping we don't get moved on! Feeling relieved and naughty and going to get settled for an early night!