Monday, March 11, Week 05

We start the new travel week with fantastic weather! After our comfortable morning rituals, the less comfortable but necessary rituals follow so that we can set off. Now in winter, we need a little longer until we have tidied everything up and stowed it away "safely for driving".

First we stop at the Maxi-ICA and then we also make a short visit to Systembolaget.

We're not really going far today. We want to go to the parking space in the port of Lulea. And how lucky we are today, Monday - the front of the 10 spaces is free. There are just two motorhomes already parked here.

First we have to download and set up another parking app. This way we can pay and receive the code for the toilet disposal door.

Then we tackle our next goal. We want to eat French fries today! Luckily there is the Internet and we quickly find what we are looking for and soon enjoy a hamburger with fries!

Yes, and then we set off on today's hike. The Gulf of Bothnia is a huge recreational area at this time of year. People hike, ice skate, cross-country ski or cycle. A particularly popular means of transport in Scandinavia is the kick sledge or spark. The destination for most people, including ours, is an island. There are countless barbecue areas, almost all of which are in use. There is also a small kiosk and the first thing you get is a coffee from a thermos flask as a welcome - just like that! People sit in the sun, barbecue and enjoy the day.

Back at the shore we see that there are some Sparks there and you can use them, just like in other cities, scooters. The only thing that costs nothing is the kick sleds. We don't miss out on this and try out this popular means of transport here in Scandinavia. It's fun!

Lulea Cathedral is currently under renovation. We simply stroll through the pedestrian zone and then make ourselves comfortable in our mobile home.

Tuesday, March 12

We're taking a break and staying here! That means we're in no hurry to get up!

After breakfast there is some work to do. Cleaning and office work. But shortly after 11 a.m. we set off for our first walk into town. Who knows, maybe we'll come across a restaurant we like.

Even if the photos say otherwise, the city is lively. Lots of people are out and about and after about an hour we end up back at our Pfüdi and make ourselves a delicious salad.

After a siesta, we set off for a hike around the Baltic Sea! Today, too, we enjoy the unique experience of hiking across the Baltic Sea. Including yesterday, we've covered quite a few kilometers - simply wonderful.

From Lulea you can also drive over an ice road to three offshore islands, a total of about 10 kilometers one way, but unfortunately our Pfüdi is too heavy, only vehicles up to 2 tons are allowed.

Injury!

Today they drove around with tractors, which are probably over 2 tons - but the rule is the rule!

Wednesday, March 13

Off to new adventures! We are leaving Lulea today. The first thing we did - filling up our water - was quick. Gas stations are always a good place to go for that.

Soon we will be driving along the E4 to Pitea, because here there is the only LPG filling station in northern Sweden.

Now we change direction and drive west. In the lively Arvisdjaur we find a parking space for our lunch break - man, there's a lot going on here! Interesting!

Today we continue on to Sorsele.

We don't have far to go to our next adventure tomorrow. But we are glad we can still use the good V/E here.

Thursday, March 14

Two winter campers on their way to the shower in -7 degrees!

The snowmobile is one of the most popular means of transport for Scandinavians. Of course we wanted to try it out. Finally, it worked. The idea came to us spontaneously. Sandsjögarden Resort also offers these tours and the best thing is that everyone speaks Swiss German ;-)

OK, we can speak a little English too. But the preparation and introduction were very detailed, so our language skills probably wouldn't have been enough to understand everything.

So we set off together with two other "newbies" for a wonderful trip through the Swedish countryside.

We curve through forests, cross moorlands and lakes.

No more words needed - simply brilliant! We enjoyed every minute!

Today, a completely normal day of travel awaits us. Shortly after 10 a.m., we leave Sandsjögarden and our journey continues south. We stop in Storuman to do some shopping and we also have to stock up on rosé, because we're having raclette tonight.

Next stop is a disposal station, because in Sandsjögarden you cannot empty the cassette toilet in winter.

And then we just chug along comfortably to Hammerdal. We know the Route 45 camp from our autumn trip and we are warmly welcomed here. We make ourselves comfortable...

Camp Route 45 doesn't disappoint us in winter either. We have the "winter bathroom" all to ourselves. The rooms are very clean, warm, and the water is also wonderfully warm. A jug of water is provided for us in the latrine so that we can flush our toilet cassette. Thank you very much for this extra service!

We decided to travel towards Norway again. Shortly before Östersund we turn off and drive on back roads to the E14. We know the route up to Järpen, but from there it is new territory for us.

​​​​​​​Are comes just in time for our lunch break. We eat with a view of the old church. Are is one of the larger ski regions in Sweden and so there are nice and not so nice hotels here. There is still a lot going on here.