PADDLER 28
PADDLER 28
Home for the night
Fortunately , we were sheltered from the windy conditions near the coast by the islands , and most days , the weather was kind to us , enabling us to have some very enjoyable paddling with the occasional swim . We camped on the beautiful islands of Lille Kedholmen , which offered views of a lighthouse and Brunnefjälls Holme , where we climbed up to a high point and watched a gorgeous sunset together . Finally , we paddled around the back of several islands under small bridges and walkways , arriving at the wide bay of Ulvesund , which stretches around the picturesque spa town of Ljunskile www . vastsverige . com / en / uddevalla-eng / produkter / ljungskile-lyckorna /. We contacted the kayak centre to meet us with their minibus and trailer there .
REFLECTIONS ON THE TRIP
During the trip , we saw a pod of porpoises , a couple of seals , a few egrets and herons , very few fish but
thousands of jellyfish ; most of these , Joakim had assured us , were harmless . These translucent creatures varied in size up to about four inches across and were everywhere where the water was relatively calm . Yachting and power boats were common near the larger settlements , especially at the weekend , with some seemingly oblivious to the wake caused by their speeding craft or maybe the sight of kayaks bobbing up and down amused the drivers .
Camping on a small island with a few friends , almost being kept awake by the complete silence , is a unique experience for most of us these days . Evenings around the fire , swapping tales like friends do on a still summer evening and watching the sunsets together , are a really nice way to spend a holiday .
Most of us started and finished the holiday with a day in Gothenburg , Sweden ’ s second-largest city . Built on the side of the River Gota , it was a big ship-building city in its heyday . It is the usual old town with plenty of parks and gardens , cobbled streets , and craft and food shops , all surrounded by a deep , wide canal constructed as a defensive moat . We visited a church or two , an art gallery , a maritime museum and a viewpoint that was initially part of the fortifications . We even took a tourist boat cruise around the moat and river , forsaking the chance to paddle it .
It was a cracking trip , full of laughs , surprises , and ‘ happenings ’ – too many to mention here – and it has changed our view of Sweden – a country full of great paddling opportunities . It was great to hire the boats and kit from a good outfitter who was flexible about the pick-up point , as it was , as always , essential to adjust our route according to the prevailing conditions .
Camp 5 - L to R Richard , Barb , Simon , Ken Sarah and Julian