Sweden’s Pulpit Rock

After a generous and leisurely breakfast of freshly-picked fruit, muesli, yoghurt and Jan’s homemade granola (much more was on offer but as the conversation was so lively and wide-ranging we forgot to sample the special cheese, jams etc, much to our later disappointment) we set off north. It would have been lovely to stay longer as Jan and Keith were such welcoming and interesting hosts. Hopefully we can reciprocate some day.

It wasn’t far to cross the elegant Hoga Kusten bridge where we had a brief photo stop before driving a few miles further to take on the steep rocky climb to Sweden’s answer Norway’s pulpit rock. It was nowhere as arduous - it only took 40 minutes to get up - though my arthritic knees did object to some of the scrambling on the descent. The clear Nordic air and the shade of the pines were welcome as it was a gorgeous bright sunny day. The views out to the Baltic were stunning and had to be blipped.

When we got back to the van Mr C was eager to get on with the 4.5 hour drive but I suggested he make himself a sandwich (delicious rolls Jan), while I had a cool-off swim in the Baltic. There was a very inviting sandy beach just opposite where we’d parked the van. It was invigorating!

Finally we set off northwards for Boviken just north of Skelleftea. (We are now on latitudes with Iceland.) Keith recommended a good place to park up for the night. It’s at a little jetty with a few motor boats in a nice open bit of ground. Nobody else is staying so far. The inlet opens out into the Baltic. This will be our last sight of it, for tomorrow we start to head north east.

While Mr C went off to see if he could find out where to pay the 100k I made a tuna, pepper, onion and tomato pasta for our supper.