Liljedal, Värmland - 14 June 2018

We were disgorged from the ferry around 9.30am. A very calm crossing from Kiel. After disagreeing with the satnav immediately coming off the ferry, we followed road signs for the E45 signposted Karlsbad. The road was quite busy coming out of Gothenburg but gradually became less so as it entered farmland on either side with quite a bit of woodland away from the road. The countryside was quite flat here. After a further while, the road became quite empty. We stopped for lunch at a possible camperstop at Åmål but, although it was a nice location overlooking a wide expanse of water, it was early and the facilities were minimal for a cost of SEK100 (about £10.00). So we went on to Säffle where there was a camperstop by the river but this seemed to be unavailable as the way to it, by a dance theatre, was cordoned off as there was some sort of event going on. Our directory showed a camperstop at the village of Liljedal a few miles further on. It was an interesting drive as some roadworks brought us to a halt. We were the first vehicle and it wasn't traffic lights but a convoy system and the young lady had to summon up her English to explain it but it was no problem.

A minor road off the E45 brought us to Liljedal after a few miles of delightful forest road. The village lies on an inlet of Lake Vänern (the largest fresh water lake in Europe). Here there is a small camperstop with just two hookups. We have one and a Dutch motorhome has the other. A good friend of mine, Darren, gave me a telescopic fishing rod a few months ago and I brought it with me.  I haven't fished for many years but here was an opportunity. lake Vänern is one of the few locations in Sweden where a fishing licence isn't required. I'd brought some basic items of tackle with me and took the rod a few yards away where there is a wooden jetty. I had a little bread for bait but that disintegrated on the hook. I thought maybe a worm but the ground nearby was very dry so I emptied a bottle of water on to the ground and this brought a small worm to the surface. I put it on the hook and tried again. There was some movement of my float and I think a fish removed the worm from the hook as it was gone. Finally, I tried a small piece of cheddar and within a minute a fish took it and I landed a small roach, maybe three or four ounces. I tried again and, this time, within seconds, another roach, maybe six ounces, was landed. I put both back so a little fun was had before supper. The fish seemed to be queuing up for the cheese.

The facilities here, for just a small camperstop, are very good - a washing up room, loos and showers, together with water and waste disposal. We are looking out across the water and it is very peaceful. A lovely place, but the weather has deteriorated and rain has now set in for the evening. Hopefully, there might be time for a walk in the morning.

Amanda

A civilised wake up call at 7.30 ready to dock at 9.15. People standing on the external staircase right outside our window were only a minor annoyance, if a bit of a surprise. And concerns about not finding our way back to the Camper, hidden amongst lorries on the "truckers" deck,  via the slightly tortuous route taken last night proved unfounded. 

So, we are in Sweden again. The day's driving from Gothenburg on the E45 was pleasant enough in parts, but not the most scenic. It is called the Inlandsvägan, and we plan to follow it up to the Arctic Circle. After two abortive attempts at locating a suitable Camperstop - neither with much in the way of facilities, one not open, the other a bit barren and dismal - perseverance has paid off and we are settled in a beautiful little spot at Liljedal, south of Karlstad, on Lake Vänern. All facilities we need are available in the familiar copper colour painted hut, and there is just room for up to 6 vans (but only two hookups). Only two of us here though. It has instantly reminded us of what we loved about Sweden last time! 

Geoff took me by surprise by producing the fishing rod he had packed - I didn't even know he had one. His joy at catching not one but two fish was shared by the Dutch couple in the other van, who had suggested cheese as bait! They went back in the lake of course.

We are looking forward to supper and a stroll around the tiny village of more copper painted houses. A jet ski just turned up, threatening to impinge on the absolute peace and quiet, but must have its noise suppressed because it has whizzed off with hardly a sound.