Friday Blog: Skåne, Halland, Småland … and repeat

Text and photo: Helena Bergström

Lately we have been in Skåne, Halland and Småland – a little bit of each. In fact, we have crossed the provincial and county borders so many times that we have lost count. We have been visiting friends and trying to keep a calm pace, while working intensively on many different things.

With friends in Skåne

How wonderful it is to have good friends? We don't meet many people when we travel, we often feel like we have too much work to do, but sometimes it happens. Daniela and Göran not only run the stylish and inspiring travel magazine Discovering the Planet – they are also fantastic friends.

Daniela and Göran took us to some gems in their surroundings. But no, there will be no reports. These beaches will be kept a little incognito… But we can say this… there are incredibly beautiful beaches in Skåne!

Daniela also did a number of video interviews with us. Fun, but challenging! We absolutely got none advance warning about what it would be about, so it's definitely spontaneous. Curious? We share the interviews on Instagram at @freedomtravel.se.

Skåne flea market – like a race

We also got to experience a cultural experience during our visit to Skåne. We have visited flea markets from time to time, but flea markets with a starting time and a gate that opens on time... when everyone running against the flea market? We have to admit that this was completely new to us. But it was fun to experience!

Free camping, nature and work

Otherwise, our everyday life right now is about free camping, nature and work. We should could look up a lot of sights, but we haven't really had the energy for it. When the sights fall on us – like Hovdala Castle – then it feels really fun.

We mostly move from one overnight parking lot to another. Is it difficult to free camp? No, not when you stay far from beaches and tourist areas. We always park where it is allowed to park with motor vehicles and we are of course careful not to leave any traces. There are plenty of rest areas with toilets, emptying for chemical toilets and garbage disposal, so it works well.

At the overnight sites, however, we get to experience nature. One day it's forest and waterfalls and wild boar. The second day it's a farm environment with rippling water and children cycling. There are plenty of beautiful places in Sweden!

Visit to the house where I celebrated childhood Christmases

We have crossed the Skåne/Småland/Halland borders several times over the past week. One day we came to Lidhult in Småland where I (Helena) experienced all the Christmases of my childhood, at my grandmother and grandfather's. For me, this place is special and full of memories – Christmas dinner in the kitchen, Christmas gift giving upstairs and rides with kick scooters on the snow-filled streets.

We peeked into the garden – and were invited for tea! The new owners, a nice couple from the Netherlands, now offer Bed & Breakfast in Mooi Gula Huset. So oh what a nostalgic visit! I even got to look into ”my” old room…

This week: Grateful for ...

We are grateful that we can have this life. If anyone thinks it is luxurious or glamorous, we can reveal that it is far from it, but we have freedom and we love that.

Your turn: What are you grateful for this week?

The week ahead

We are slowly heading towards the west coast, where we have been invited to a press screening. Here at FREEDOMtravel it will be about our trip, but also about Germany and the Netherlands, among other things. Now we would like to take this opportunity to wish you a really nice Friday and weekend!

Did you miss the last Friday Blog? Read it Beautiful Swedish views and AI musings