After a minor exile from the electronic world I am now back in front of a screen. Me, E and K went for a three day trekk along the High Coast trail to learn lessons about how much weight not to pack, how good food always tastes better on a secluded rock waterfront, and that finnish people laugh at you when you take a sauna for only twenty minutes..
We started at Gallsäter busstop and then headed east for the coast and to join the trail. Brazenly and stubbornly we headed all the way to Fjärdbotten the first day, which included a lot of whining towards the end. Especially since we carried so much of out non-freeze dried, non-trekking adapted food (cucumbers, beer, heads of lettuce etc,.) during that day. Originally these kind of houses were summer houses for farmers bringing their stock to graze but now it was restored to house trekkers like us. The nearby water well had a sulfurous tinge which made it smell and taste something like a cross between a matchstick and a fart. Being that we were all mildly dehydrated after a days walking, we had no choice but to gulp it down. Then there was just enough time to jump in the sea and swim out to where the last rays of sun danced across the surface.
Dinner was barbecued Halloumi cheese, sallad, and freshly pan-baked indian-inspired bread.
Day two began by sleeping til 10 (a total of 11 hours sleep..) after which we had a porridge breakfast and re-packed our bags. We stumbled along and I was painfully reminded ot the preceding day and my hips and shoulders were getting seriously chafed. Today was my food-day, so I took solace in the thought that my pack would only get lighter and lighter as we progressed. We reached a rocky point with a view of the horizon around three. The weather was grey. By a cliff wall we took a seat for lunch. Wraps with hoummus, sundried tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, and sour cream mixed with feta cheese. Lovely.
About half an hour later as we had started to head inland once again, the rain started. First as light summer rain, then as a heavy downpour. I wore my rain jacket for a while, but the walking made me so sweaty inside the coat I decided there was no point. Due to the bad weather we skipped climbing the Valkallen mountain and headed straight for Lövvik and shelter. And what an oasis it was. A clean, well-equipped kitchen, a three-bed berth for 150SEK and an adjoining sauna. Situated right by the sea shore. We dried up, took a sauna with a bath and then (after being smiled at by finnish people) went inside to prepare a lentil soup with dried mushrooms and chili.
The evening passed with a few more showers (rain..), some card games, a visit by a family of swans and a small stroll around Lövvik.
The last day came, and the backpacks were now lighter than air. Since we had a bus to catch we skipped another mountaing and headed toward the High Coast bridge and Hotel. At first there were a few showers, but toward midday the sun came out and we finally had a great lunch at the hotel on a sunny balcony with a view of the majestic bridge.
As a last part of our adventurous journey, we got to ride a racing bus in order to catch our connection in KRamfors. The original bus we were supposed to go on never showed, and so the next one had a very service minded driver who didn't charge us a penny, but instead raced ahead of his schedule in order to cut the connecting bus off in Kramfors. Success! We slowly rode home to Örnsköldsvik, trying to outsmart each others botanical knowledge.
Next up: Umeå quickstep, Birthday Party, Beach Volleyball, Nordingrå and finally Häggvik Dixie Jazz Festival.
Peace Y'all
