After a night looking around Copenhagen we took off early to catch the car ferry from Helsingör (5okm north) to Helsingborg in Sweden, a 20 minute crossing. We enjoyed the tail wind and warm sunshine, the warmest we had had since Greece/Turkey. We were hoping to get to, Båstad, a coastal town famous for its tennis. It just so happened that the day we arrived was in the middle of the Swedish Open. The town was full of people in a party mood! (this is where the people party) To get to Båstad we had to cross Hallandsåsen, a rise dividing the provinces Skåne and Halland. We arrived in town fairly tired when Sig´s phone rang and it was her mum who wanted to know where we were. When she heard we were in Båstad she gave us the address of her old student friend who lives there in summertime. We were welcomed with open arms by a fit 85 year old Britt who quickly installed us in her guest cottage. We then enjoyed a swim ( 50m to the beach) before being fed a home cooked chicken casserole. Her daughter and husband also live nearby in the summertime so after a lovely dinner we took a walk with them down town and mingled with the crowds. Scandinavian summer evenings can be very special as the soft summerlight shimmers on the sea.
Båstad to Olofsbo (Near Falkenberg) (16th July, 118.23 @20.1 kph)
The invitation to stay a few days sounded tempting but as we were expected up the coast we thought we'd better keep moving so after a hearty breakfast it was back in the saddle.
After a sometimes frustrating day of on and off the cycle path and lack of signage we finally arrived at Olöfsbo, where we had decided to camp by the seaside. Once again, this place was full of Swedes on vacation and enjoying the warm weather and the beach. We had a great evening in a friendly pub with live music and dancing. We both had enough energy to wiggle our hips a bit on the dance floor.
Olofsbo to Ölmanäs ( Frid 17th July, 72.89km @ 20.7kph)
In Falkenberg we picked up a booklet of the cycle route we were trying to follow and this made all the difference. We had a special day riding along the coast. It is very scenic and we were blessed with no wind and beautiful sunshine. There were many little swimming spots and with the water temperature of 21C it was great. We arrived at our friends' house where we had arranged to be by lunchtime. Bitte and Jonas live in a lovely cottage that Bitte's father built as a summerhouse but which over the last 10 years has been converted to a very comfortable home. We again had a little guest cottage . The summer days are long up here in the north so there was plenty of time for a boat trip out to their little island where we swam, talked and enjoyed fruit and coffee which Bitte had packed.
The next morning we woke up to a cold , rainy day and we were happy not to ride. It was the 20th birthday for their son Kalle and a party was planned for the afternoon. So it was a busy day moving furniture and sorting food before guests arrived.
Today, Sunday 19th July, it is 9 weeks since we took the boat out from Istanbul . We have ridden about 4500km, learned a lot about geography, rivers, history and bikes. We have been received with genorosity and friendliness and have enjoyed the simplicity this sort of trip offers.
To everyone who has sent us encouragements with emails & texts we would like to say thanks.
It is always such joy to open mail and find a greeting. When you ride a bike you realise how big the world is but with emails and SMS you realise it's not so big after all. (Even though it took us 12 days to hear of Michael Jackson's death)
It has been an amazing journey and although it will be great to reach the final destination it will be a bit sad to end.
We have now approx 50km to ride to Sigrid´s parents place in Mölndal near Gothenberg where we are expected for Sunday dinner.
Over the next few weeks we hope to be able to download more photos of the latter part of the trip. Next weekend we have the wedding of Sigrid's niece which of course was the inspiration (excuse) for this folly. It looks as though we are going to make it on time.
Sigrid and Don
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