Öland – Europe'16

Kalmar

Posted on July 16, 2016 by Steven

So it’s goodbye to islands, at least for awhile. I would have liked to bike the bridge from Öland – it is one of the longest in Europe at 6 km, but bikes ain’t allowed and so I had to take the bike ferry to Kalmar.

Somewhere I read that Kalmar is Swedens favourite vacation place. Last time I was here I won’t have agreed, but that was probably my mood at the time. The 17th century town is quite lovely. Check out the Cathedral – not your normal looking one.

On a slightly different and smaller scale, there was a couple of kittens looking out at the big wide world from the safety of their den.

The rest of the day ended up being a bit of a long one as I experienced miles upon miles of forest so just kept going.

Of course, having just pitched my tent. I expect it to start raining!

I am curious

Posted on July 15, 2016 by Steven

I’m truely intrigued as to why, like lemmings, Swedes go en mass to Öland and Gotland so they can pack themselves into caravan puarks like sardines, then visit the same “attractions” en mass, whike ignoring much of the countryside around. The main road on Öland was a long traffic queue yet I was cycling empty roads a short distance away.

On the side road, one has the chance to meet with fellow slow travellers,

And discover ancient history like this pile of rocks which could be

A pile of rocks
Where I lost the key to my bicycle lock
A convenient rest stop

The answer is of course – some of the above (I found my key) but also it’s a Bronze Age Burial Mound circa 1000-1800bc. All I can say is they must have hated the guy to have piled some many rocks on him.

I almost met the Adams family, at least, I think this was their summer house.

Öland – we all make mistakes

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Steven

One of the things Öland is famous for, is its limestone, and, for a while,it seemed that the north west coast was a discarded quarry, ironically quite a scenic cycle ride that was interspersed with shaded wooded areas.

There was even a camel farm along the way to entertain the kids.

However all good things must come to an end. Having spent the day in calm forests and with seas views, I decided to head toward Borgholm where there were at least 5 campgrounds. After all Borgholm touts its Baroque (ruined) Castle as must see and the King and Queen are in town for some event today.

Well, this is what 300 kroner (NZ $51) buys you at a campground here. A patch of grass next to the main road, oh, and it’s started to rain and the camp wifi doen’t work…. And you pay extra for a shower.

At least I get to share this with enough motor homes to solve Auckland’s housing crisis for years to come.