Torup to Smygehuk
Distance: 40km
Two hikers who, with their headlamps, flooded the vindskydd with light just before midnight as well as a cat that gave me a scare when it jumped into the vindskydd made for a not very relaxing
night.
The day starts with a bit of lovely beech forest, followed by open farmland and the beach again. It's windy. Mostly sunny with a short downpour, which is leaving me completely soaked. I get it
all today.
It's during my last 7 kilometers along the Baltic Sea, when I start feeling emotional. I take a trip down the memory lane, thinking of my first steps at the Nordkapp, with the midnight sun in my
back. At that time I had no idea what would expect me on my journey. Now, 100 trail days later I think I can nearly consider myself as a Scandinavian hiking expert. At this point, I don't want to
go too far into all the experiences I was lucky enough to gain. It's too late, I'm too tired. But I will write a little summary within the next few days.
Smygehuk. Until very recently I never heard of the place. Now I am here. There's no possibility to go further. Unless I was a fish. I arrive at around 16:00 with all the shops about to close. A
déjà vu of my finish last year in Skorovas, where I arrived a tad late as well. At least this time it's sunny and if it wasn't for the wind pleasantly mild. I savor the moment, take some photos,
explore the place, which is not as busy as expected. I'm not too emotional anymore. While exploring I also check for suitable camping spots. Plenty of good ones but I don't think it's exactly
legal to camp. So I wait for the night to come, spend my time planning, trying to fill the emptiness, which instantly opened up once I arrived. It's always the same. Being on the trail, I have
had a goal at all times. Now it's different. What am I going to do tomorrow? Day after tomorrow? So many questions. So difficult to find answers. I haven't really finished but am already missing
the simplicity of the trail life. But of course, I am also looking to exploring Sweden in a different way than by thru hiking it.
Write a comment
Rob (Tuesday, 14 September 2021 04:37)
Kia ora koe e hoa mā. Congratulations. Another milestone passed, during a time when the world is dealing with so much, including the changing face of a worldwide pandemic. Keeping it real, and fucussed on the task at hand, you managed to get the job done. Things not always in your favour, but you remained steadfast and stoic in your determination to finish this section. We can't say, the Scandinavian section is complete, because you still have Denmark to Traverse. For now though, in the words of a very famous kiwi icon, you "knocked the bastard off". That of course is Sir Edmond Hillary, the first climber of Mt Everest (1953). He and sherpa Norgay Tensing both ascended that of the worlds highest peak. I quote those words, as praise worthy of your accomplishment thus far. Well done!
To have been able to follow you from half a world away, but a world that you are not entirely unfamiliar with, you allowed us to keep looking in on you. Remaining aware of your whereabouts and able to keep in touch with telling phone messages of support, and checking in, to make sure you were ok.
For now, this section of your E1 is done. Nothing but praise and pride in your achievement. Thank you for allowing us to share another walking season with you. All the best! Take care. Stay safe. Noho haumaru.
Dino and marta. (Thursday, 16 September 2021 01:19)
Well done my friend. Glad you made it unharmed and healthy. What a trip. You followed what you wanted to do. Lot of people just dream it. You could have the wonderlust gene. Google it. Good luck in life. May see you in Switzerland. Dino.
Sandro Koster (Thursday, 16 September 2021 04:21)
Thank you! I'll definitely Google that. Let me know if you need a warm shower or place to stay on your way through Switzerland. I'll be back mid-October.
Cheers, Sandro
(+41788582507)
Fredy Koster (Monday, 20 September 2021 13:32)
Congratulation Sandro. Second part of Scandinava hiked.
As always it was a pleasure to follow you. And for the first time I really saw how big and beautiful this Norway and Sweden are.
Now enjoy your time travelling arround