Monday 26.07.2004
Leaving Frankfurt Main with the
shuttle-bus
from the main station Frankfurt to the airport Frankfurt Hahn at
10:45h. The distance between Frankfurt/Main and Frankfurt/Hahn is about
150km and will take 1.45h.
Leaving
Frankfurt/Hahn to Goteburg with Ryanair at 15:20h. After a flight time
of 1.30h we arrive in Goteburg Airport at 17:00h.
At
Goteburg Airport a bus organised by the Abenteuerteam waiting and ready
for departure to the canoe camp in the small town called Bengstfors.
On arrival in Bengstfors at 20.00h after a two hour drive, fist thing
to do is building up my tent. For the rest of the evening/night the
Abenteuerteam organised a barbecue party for all new arrivals.
At 23.00h the Abenteuerteam is giving an introduction of themselves.
Shortly after this I meet the other people with who I will spend the
rest of the week with the guided canoe tour.
The Team:
Sandra & Markus
Christoph
Ralph
Marcel
Frank (Guide)
Tuesday 27.07.2004
Leaving the canoe camp in Bengtsfors to the small place called
Grunnerud. We travel with a little van. The three canoes are mounted on
a trailer. There also our personal clothing, tents as also food and all
other material is packed.
In Grunnerud the canoes are being
packed and put into the water. After
a short instruction from Frank how to control the canoes the journey
begins.
We arrive at the first spot (nr. 11) which is located
on a small island. Unfortunately the wind is so strong that we decide
to travel further up to the next spot.
The next spot (nr 12) is already taken by a quite large group. This
spot also is located on a small island. It is however large enough to
locate two groups. As the other group holds the official spot on the
north side of the island, we take the un-offical spot on the south side
of the island. The tents are being build up the beach.
The water temperature is very good for swimming (18-20�C).
Dinner: Spaghetti Bolognese right from the campfire.
Wednesday 28.07.2004
After having breakfast (with coffee off
course) we're breaking up,
packing the canoes and hid the water again. Frank is trying to catch
some fish during the tour but he's kind off out of luck today. Maybe it
is because a small airplane is starting and landing on the Foxen lake
frequently which makes a terrible noise but interesting to see.
After a short run we arrive at spot nr 39 which, off course, is just
taken by a Dutch family. Luckily it doesn't bother them if we camp on
the beach and share the campfire with them.
Nice story about this spot is the dinner.
The Dutch family ate cup-a-soup and bread. We decided to do it
different. We had: Salmon (not catched by ourselves :-), Steak, very
large patatos with a delicious dip sauce. Oh..I forgot...fresh coffee
after dinner.
One steak was left over...we gave it to the 'hungry' Dutch family.
Thursday 29.07.2004
We get up a little earlier to leave behind all other people on the way
with there canoes. The Dutch family, which slept in the wind cover,
looked like they were just rudely awakened by us. But we really tried
our best to be as quiet as possible.
On our way, Frank almost catches a fish...but it knows to escape. As we
arrive at the place where we need to travel with the canoe over land,
Frank finally makes it catching something...but way to small to eat.
The first travel over land was about 3Km. Shortly after we set the
canoe in the water another land travel of 1Km was necessary.
As we finally arrive at the chosen spot (nr. 23) this one also is
completely occupied with a large group. Sending Christoph and Ralph
ahead didn't work out the way we hoped. We have no other choice than to
go further to the next spot.
We arrive at spot nr 31 which lies quite high on a rock and, luckily,
this spot is not occupied.
An advertisement at the spot indicates that 1Km walking food is being
sold. We buy bread, coffee, beer (3.5%), cola and bring back ice cream
for Frank and Sandra who stayed behind at the spot.
Friday 30.07.2004
Yesterday we decided to get up very early (04.00h) to leave behind us a
group of at least 25 people which might give us a big advantage in
getting a spot which isn't already occupied.
As we get up it's very cold and the
fog is so dense that you can't even
see the bird island in the middle of the river. Luckily the sun comes
through around 11.00h, clearing the fog.
The goal for today is to arrive the island Hall�n before 12.00h. We
actually achieve this goal..but as all other spots this one is also
already occupied. We decide not to leave but share on of the two spots
with other people who also travel with the Abenteuerteam.
Getting to the island Halloen was one of
the best tours. We tried to paddle as fast as we could (to get to the
spot asap) and we also had to do some walking over land (2.5 Km).
In the midday we decide to bake some pancakes. There was so much left
over that the group which who we shared the spot had a complete meal.
Even though we ate so much in the midday...in the evening we ate
original German "Bratwurst" with original Schwedisch mustard.
Saturday 31.07.2004
As we travelled so far yesterday,
we're now having a day off. The whole
day relaxing, reading, sunbathing, swimming etc.
Sunday 01.08.2004
Today a trip of 20 Km is on the
program. The trip goes to the main
canoe camp in Bengtsfors and therefor we actually can take it very easy
as we have the whole day. During the trip we even had some breaks which
was very rarely for this week:-)
On arrival at Bengtsfors we build up the tents and after a whole week
of sunny warm weather it starts to rain including some thunder and
lightning.
Monday 02.08.2004
Saying goodbye is always a great
moment after a week travelling with
nice and great people. Christoph and Ralph fly back to Germany and
Markus and Sandra will stay one more week in Sweden where they will
tour around in their car. Myself will now start a trekking tour through
the wilderniss of Sweden (see Week 2).
