We had thought about staying here for two nights and using Tivendentorp as a base for some hiking in the Tiveden National Park. And even though the day started much to Nina’s delight with a full breakfast buffet, it was not enough to keep us here – mostly because of the spot, a bit discarded, off to the side of an otherwise stunning site.
We used our time before the 8am start of the breakfast well with pre-packing and washing up, so that we could be on the road pretty quickly once the leisurely breakfast time was over. We did leave really early in fact and were at the main entrance of the park early enough to manage to get a parking spot.
With some fresh well water in our bladders and Number 3’s chat with the park ranger to find out what kind of animals he can expect today (very proud of him to have asked on his own, in English! Also very cool to have a ranger on-site). The answer was birds 😀
We chose the shortest of the four loops – with a bit of a better feeling about this after the ranger told us this was their “crown jewel” and the reason the park was created in the first place. 2,5 km set for a 1-2 hrs walk promised quite a lot of up and down on the way.
I will let the pictures (of which we have selected way too many) do most of the talking, but I want to state how proud we both were of Number 3 walking the whole thing with little complaint. He made up a game of “absorbing” the track markers to recharge. Just my kind of kid! The walk was stunning and just what we were hoping for: Mildly challenging to do with the carrier and a 3 year old and with lots of different undergrounds and little obstacles. At the risk of sounding very esoteric, but hiking with barefoot or minimal shoes is just a whole extra layer to the experience for us. Sensing the moss, the soft earth and grippy rock face with the soles of your feet is very … ah, I’ll say it: grounding!
We had a good lunch of prepared sandwiches at the view-point and were ready for an early camp to get the chance for a pitch in time for afternoon tea by the time we arrived back at the car around 12:30pm. A few snacks and a fireside chat with other hikers and we were ready to say farewell to Tiveden for this time. What a lovely place.
But now it was off into the unknown. My research last night did not produce any great options for tonight, but we wanted to see if we can find a place to free camp along the way. The drive was relaxing as always in Sweden, real meditative road-trip feeling. The hunt for a good place worked out less in our favour. There were a few good spots too early for our liking and by the time we wanted to settle we were in this (stunning, nonetheless) rural landscape with few “out of sight” spots in between. I had a look at a bathing spot and a hiking area, but both were not really what we were looking for. Coming out from the last one, we passed a “ställplats” sign pointing to a farm. It was a lovely sight, with no one else here and power available, around the cute red barn. But alas, they did not have a toilet for guests, and we don’t carry one, so off again we had to drive.
Ready to settle I checked google and spotted a tiny place just 15 minutes down the road – Nina checked ahead and all was well. It was another “ställplats” on a farm, but a bit more involved. The owner was the kindest person, managing to be super kind and helpful even in the middle of running a farm and stable during harvest season. She even took plenty of time to explain the whole process of bringing in wheat, siloing it and sending it off again to the mill to the curious Number 3. He was so happy to tell me all about it when he and Nina came back from an exploration round. We had a good grassy patch with electricity, there were horses around and even the weather held for a picture perfect sunset …
the Agent did not like the cold in the morning 
off we go, to breakfast 
she was out for blood – we spoiled the sparrow hunt for her 
the ground of the hostel / camp 
The reception and cafe open for breakfast 
Everyone gets a taste 
the breakfast dessert after a healthy start 
gravel tracks inside Tiveden National Park 
cool hub for the park – a half open building 
Any hike that starts like this will likely be our cup of tea 
and another one in the bag 
all sorts of obstacles waiting for us 
a cool bogy spot on the lee side of a huge boulder 
we made it to the view point! 
2 1/2 derps posing at the viewpoint 
eh – papa, this seems rather high up … 
Number 3 deserved his sandwich 
I’ll just walk over here mommy – it’ll be right? 
the lookout and his voice of reason 
her eyes were clearly focused on the more pressing issues 😉 
the ice age glaciers deposited boulders of all sizes – up to 25m in diameter 
and another little obstacle – with a prize on the other side 
something to keep herself entertained – better than pulling dad’s pony tail 
please note that the Agent felt the need to help out here … 
I’ll just leave that here … 
kicking the rock gives off a satisfying “thunk” 
so close, but never right. Still missing out on forraging porchini 
not everyone undestands those raised paths, apparently 
someone had a sense of humor … 
only 1km to go, time for a last break 
maybe it is not all bad that our kids are as dimiutive as we are … 
Lake view Tiveden 
Tiveden lake view 2 
a good day to be out and about 
the path kept meandering until the very end 
only minor slowdown on the obstacles for Number 3 
and out we were, into the countryside. Prettier than expected from the satellite view 
looked so promising, but alas … 
the weather has turned for good 
sunset in Sweden 
Farm in the evening glow 1 
Farm in the evening glow 2 
Last light of a long day 
I found the farmer and her husband sitting here for a moment – even with all the work they have been doing. Impressive 
what perfect light 
horses came over to check Nina out 
late night blogging – every word counts before the mozzies come out
