Stora Hornsjön to Gällarpesjön
Distance: 30km
A warmer night for a better sleep. In fact I sleep until I am waken up by the first rays of sun finding their way into the vindskydd at around 06:30.
It has gotten late again yesterday. Mathias from Träslövsläge, joined me later that evening in the vindskydd. I got offered a beer and together we spent the evening
talking in front of the fire.
I'm about to leave, when Mathias hands me a cuppa coffee. Of course I gladly accept. It is a short day and I'm not especially keen on hitting the overgrown trail
anyway. While the first few kilometers are okay, the trail soon gets a bit less enjoyable. There's not much to write, really. Lots of forest. All I am looking for is dinner at my
vindskydd.
Vindskydd. A word which I have never heard until I actually arrived in Sweden. In Sälen, to be precise, when I was planning my next sections, I first read about
them. But even then, I had only a vague idea of what they are, what I have to expect. Something sheltering me from the wind.
Now, nearly a month later, they have become an essential part and highlight of my thru-hike. In fact I think they will turn out to be one of the most memorable
things in Sweden. They gave me shelter from wind and rain. They all looked similar, most of them were beautifully located by a lake. That's why I can't recall every single one of them. But all
together of them formed a very clear picture of a typical vindskydd. And it's a lovely picture.
However, it's not only the location, it's also the people that made them a good choice to stay. I met other thru hikers, cyclists, fishermen, two day one night
trippers, fathers who needed a weekend away from their wife and kids. With all of them I had interesting conversations, learning new things. I enjoyed the talks in front of the fire. Talks, which
were getting deeper, more sentimental as the stars came out and the fire getting weaker. That was not a hymn, was it? I couldn't find a better title. Sorry. However, I think it was high time to
appreciate them.
And tonight? Gällarpesjön? Another nice one. Not the most scenic I have been to but I will definitely have a lovely evening in front of the fire. So far no one else
showed up. There's a family camping nearby. But being a sunny, mild Saturday evening, I wouldn't be surprised if more people are showing up. I'll let you know tomorrow.
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