Tag Archives: Högsbyns

Day 15 – Boat, a kingdom for a boat!

Given that Number 3 has been on our case about riding a boat for most of the trip, and our spectacular fail in Malmö, there was no more delaying it. The option of boat rentals was one of the reasons we came here in the first place after all. A boat we had to rent. What kind we would leave open to some consultation with the campground owner, but it would likely come down between canoe or row boat. Kayaks (which we would have preferred) were out due to the lack of AoE restraint options and out boarder seemed to be a bit against the spirit of it.

ready to head off

So we had a long, leisurely breakfast and enjoyed the comforting knowledge that there would be no packing today. Jan, the owner, is an extremely kind and laid-back kind of guy, so Number 3 almost burst from excitement when the reception was finally opened at 9am. In the end, he advised for the canoe as the nicer way to get around and we agreed, even though I was a bit apprehensive about the twisty kind of paddling. After all, my diagnosis of a broken rib was less than 5 weeks ago, and I can still feel it and not lay down on that side.

Everyone got kitted out with life vests, we packed some snacks and water and off we went. Nina had only kayak experience so far, so we quickly decided that maybe me in the back would have been the smarter move all along and swapped places. A lifetime ago, I did a two week-long trip down a local river in a canoe and to my surprise, the right motions were still there. That also meant that I, blessed with dad reflexes, could have an eye out for the Agent of Entropy. She insisted quite from the get go that the only way to enjoy the trip was to tippy toe over one side with one hand in the water.

can I get off now?

We did a decent loop – maybe a bit too ambitions for the amount of food we took, as lunchtime sort of crept up on us. The Agent at some point refused to go on any further without the loudest of protestations. So Nina and I gave it one last big push and moored at a fallen log to give her at least a feed. Meanwhile, Number 3 and I went mushroom hunting again but got ourselves almost knocked out cold when I tried to use a decent sized (but rotten) tree as a handhold climbing the bank. It fell with a decent thud, luckily in the right direction for us. Oops …

Even with a feed, the Agent would refuse to part with mama for the rest of the way home, and so I did the last third of the way paddling alone from the back. Not ideal, but to my relieved surprise it went pain free. And so we arrived back for a late lunch, with big smiles all around (after the food, for the most part).

We really got a perfect spot this time

The afternoon flew by, with some exploration, cooking and Number 3 making friends with the 2 ½ year old neighbor. I really enjoyed seeing him as the tutor for once. The two of them played for almost an hour. His parents were really relaxed about it, enjoying the freedom that comes with those team ups (more on them tomorrow).

After all of that, bed time went pretty well and Nina and I had a good evening just for us, blogging, planning and talking in these beautiful surroundings we found ourselves in.

  • ready to head off
  • this … a lot of this
  • my odds were 50/50 of her falling in at some point
  • we had a little fun and let him hop off onto this tiny island
  • but we picked him uo in no time – great trust in us this one has
  • off for the longest stretch over “open” water leaving the shore
  • the one on the left – it look so solid as a handhold!
  • this is about as far from mama as she would go
  • well, someone has to paddle, right?
  • a stunner of a day – but still below 25°C – almost bearable for Nina 😀
  • All of a sudden, we had a 5th passenger …
  • they took a decent ride with us, not deterred by the camera
  • oh I want to cuddle them all!
  • not far, not far at all now
  • there, I can see dry land!
  • can I get off now?
  • Docked and ready for lunch
  • this one was intended for tents (we have one, right) – it was a bit dodgy to get down there, but Jan was cool about it
  • we had to sit and wait in front of the cafe to be first in line at 4pm to get the ice cream
  • cheeky one chewing the ice cream
  • our exploration bore fruit
  • the expedition got two more crew members
  • expedition reached viewpoint
  • Number 3 spend a good hour analysing all the different grass seeds
  • great at any time of the day
  • We really got a perfect spot this time

Day 14 – Holidaying

Early morning on the ställplats was quite pretty. Number 3 and I even got a shower in and then Flo and I got to pack the tent without interruption as the kids watched the entertainment programme. Nah, life starts early on a farm so the tractor was already out and about but the first horse was led in the riding area under the watchful eyes of all the kids staying today.

Kid entertainment worked perfectly

It was good to get moving even though it was such a lovely place. No shade meant that it quickly got too hot for me. Both kids were tired out and fell asleep as soon as they were in the car seats. Haverud with its aqueduct was the first destination for today and a good drive away from where we stayed. About 45min into the drive, we stopped at a supermarket for a quick grab of things to eat during lunch today. By the time Flo was back, it was time to look for a good place already.

We tried to find a rest area with a view over the lake but failed and ended up in one of those giant campgrounds instead. Realizing our error, we retreated and stopped at a forest parking spot. The area was full of hiking trails so there was some space and a garbage bin for this break.

Number 3 was even quick enough with his lunch that he was allowed to explore the forest a little before we went back.

Number 3 on the aqueduct

The Haverud aqueduct was another hour away. Getting there was a bit of an adventure as Google brought us to the wrong side of the canal first and then, there were many “Drive careful, bike race” signs along the way. We made it to the parking lot before the bulk of bicyclists arrived though. Flo would probably be the better person to write about the engineering of it all but you only bet what I gathered: There’s an actual aqueduct as in an iron bridge for water from one lake to the next one, further down. It is part of a contraption with four (!) locks which are all automated by now but used to be manual mechanical locks. The cool thing is: You can walk over the aqueduct and along the canal and locks for a bit. Which is exactly what we did. The Agent was not amused that I wouldn’t let her walk while Number 3 was running and jumping around. I was just way too scared that she wouldn’t listen and accidentally fall into the canal. That’s just me though. 🙂

Number 3 was lobbying for having coffee time (or a second lunch really) right next to the canal. We had bought treats at the supermarket earlier though and they were waiting for us in the car. Plus, the campground was just another 30 minutes away and Flo and I were looking forward to arriving at a camp early for once. So, request denied. Onward, we pushed.

The last maybe 8km to the campground were much fun for Flo and the kids, not so much for me. Whoever engineered this road would have been better suited for designing roller coasters. Up and down, left and right…I felt thoroughly shaken, not stirred (Flo: Nono, for real. Like, 0G perfect parabpolic kind of hops and 2G turns – I had so much fun!).

Climbing out

The destination was worth it. We arrived to a serene lake with a trampoline in the water, grassy areas to camp and two lovely picnic bench-table-combinations right next to the playground. The reception was closed until 4pm (we’d later find out that the owner had to walk his dogs) so we had coffee at the benches. Afterwards, Flo checked us in and we set up at the hillside, overlooking the lake. At this point, Flo and I had agreed on staying here for two nights to just chill and relax…and well, enjoy our holidays. Number 3 and Flo went swimming for a bit. The Agent seemed keen at first but changed her mind as soon as her feet were in the water. Instead, she just wanted to walk alongside the lake as close to the water as possible but not IN it. No swimming for me then. It still seemed really cold so I didn’t mind too much.

Flo even cooked dinner before two tired kids went to bed. As soon as the sun disappeared behind the hill it got chilly, so we only blogged a little before retiring to the tent ourselves.

  • Kid entertainment worked perfectly
  • …not just for our kids 🙂
  • Haphazard lunch in a forest parking lot
  • Number 3 was still tired and asked for cuddles
  • But you’re supposed to eat, child!
  • Finishing up lunch before exploring the forest
  • Haverud aqueduct in the background. Pouty Agent in the foreground
  • This is the upper lake. From gere, there are two locks to the aqueduct
  • Hiking path along the upper lake
  • The Agent learnt how to wave
  • Number 3 on the aqueduct
  • Three layers of transport: The aqueduct, the train tracks and the road bridge
  • Roller coaster road
  • Balancing act
  • Campground with trampolin in the lake
  • Jumping
  • The Agent walking
  • The Agent, refusing to put her clothes back on, stole raw spaghetti out of the pantry and ate them before dinner
  • Feet in the water, it was that clear
  • Splish splash
  • Trying to persuade the Agent, while also capturing Number 3 going in AND our tent
  • Jumping…and losing a floatie XD
  • Very happy child
  • Climbing out
  • Coming out or going in?
  • Back in!
  • Flo and Number 3 were swimming though, admittedly, it was cold