Along the Göta Kanal
Summary:
Route: Stockholm -> Jönköping
Distance: 392
Duration: 7 days
Day 10:
Having spend some more time in Stockholm I head South, the clouds on the sky would foreshadow whats about to come.
After a couple of hours of driving I have to take a small ferry and it's already one of her last crossings. Arrived on the other side i put up my hammock and get to admire some midnight sunset/rise.
It might rain in this night so I finally put my tarp to test.
My hammock survived the rain and wind test perfectly.
Day 11:
The next day starts with good weather again. And I pass the peaceful Tullgarn Castle and the lovely city of Trosa.
Later its gets dark and rainy. I have a delicious Pizza, then go to sleep in the woods somewhere closeby Nyköping.
Day 12:
I get up in the morning and start cycling.
Soon I realize I lost my new helmet and my sunglasses. Probably they are at the Pizza place. So I head all the way back there, without any success after all.
So far off to a very bad start. At least its sunny today, which also means I need new sunglasses.
My little unnecessary detour cost me a lot of time and a fellow biketourer from the warmshowers.org community is gonna host me in Norrköping. So I hurry up the rest of the day, which was harder then expected because of a many hills.
I eventually meet up with him and his friends in Åby and we cycle the last bit together.
I have a shower and they take me to a local Burger restaurant. (They have amazing Chickpea-Halloumi Burgers as well.)
Day 13:
It's sunday but my host has to work early anyway, so I'm off to an early start in the day.
Clouds are pulling up.
And soon it starts to rain, since I am tired anyway i decide to make a break and put my hammock up for a nap during the rain-showers.
In the evening I would finally reach the famous Göta Kanal.
I would go to sleep close to a chocolate factory with the smell of candy in the air. :D
Day 14:
I cycle along the Channel.
And I reach Motala, home to the world's largest recreational bike ride "Vätternrundan".
A 300km tour around the "Vättern", Europe's 5 biggest lake.
I escape the rain in the local library and take some time to finish writing my #2 Travel Log.
The sky clears up.
I pass an old huge monastery.
and Vadstena, a city with a distinct Italian feel to it and a big castle.
It's dark already but I enjoy riding along the lake, so I turn on my light and continue until the next National Park.
It was defiantly worth it. Just a little hike down the mountain there is a fireplace, where I cook some dinner and put up my hammock directly above the water.
No rain during the night :)
Day 15
Breakfast time
It starts raining once more, so I cycle a bit and escape to a small library again to catch up virtually with the people I care about.
When the sun is about to set a find a deserted house and due to the upcoming rain at night i decide to sleep in there.
After everything is set up for the night I head to the water, enjoy the view and eat dinner.
Day 16
Off to Jönköping
Im in Småland now, home of Astrid Lindgren and IKEA.
Arrived I in Jönköping, I head to the Uni's Gym and not only find a public shower, but also a Sauna. :) The one thing I miss the most about Finland.
