Day 26: Sjötorp

On my last day on the Vänern, once again this big lake showed itself at its best: calm water, little wind! This weather on my trip is really great! This morning there was only a faint haze in the air, no trace of fog, and during the night I could hear the waves subsiding that the wind was changing. So I got off the island without any problems and was able to make my way to Sjötorp. Before that, however, I stopped for lunch in the sunshine in Mariestad and strolled a little through the old town: Sunday afternoon, few people and therefore some things seemed a little bleak... But oh well. I bought myself some potatoes again and am looking forward to eating them! Unfortunately, I haven't managed to buy fresh fish anywhere yet, although I paddled past a few nets, but the fish shops are either just closing for the season or I'm in the wrong place at the wrong time... I'd also like to try a crab. I'm still on the road for a while, so maybe I'll find something after all.
On the one hand, I'm sorry to be leaving Lake Vänern now, because it has always shown itself at its best and this "freshwater inland sea" can be really tough when it's windy. Paddlers who underestimate the wind and weather regularly drown here... On the other hand, I'm looking forward to what's coming next: the canal with its many locks... Even though it's exhausting to keep packing everything up and putting the boat on the trolley, I'm looking forward to the change. This is a really varied tour that I'm doing here! Tonight I'm sleeping in a shelter again, of which there are a few along the canal, so this will probably be my preferred place to stay for the night. I met the lock keeper here earlier, who had just checked two sailors, and he simply gave me two service cards that you can use to open the restrooms, so I will be able to take a hot shower in the morning, brilliant!
Now I'm having a great meal and then it'll soon be over for today...Read more