Day 30: North of Vättern (Harge Udda)

Yesterday, because of the wind-wave-conditions, I was worried for the first time that I wouldn't make it to Uppsala. I've been on tour for 30 days now and have paddled 766 km. It's still about 380 paddling-kilometers to Uppsala. So I still have a long way to go... I'm really so dependent on the weather, which has fortunately - and unbelievably - only shown itself at its best so far! But what if that changes?
I'll see...! And if I stop before then, then it's not really that bad...

After a dry night in the tent this morning starts with sunshine (just not on my campsite!). During the night I heard the waves and the gurgling and slapping of the water against the rocks and and it didn't sound like the lake had become calmer. Nevertheless, I set off northwards, where a rock shelter was to be my goal... The wind had actually disappeared and the irregular wind waves had turned into a swell, which was not bad outside the lee, but which I managed quite well. I find my way between the islands again and was able to enjoy the interplay of sun and clouds again, as well as the view of the great little islands that I paddled past. At first I had the impression that I was not making any progress at all, but I reached my destination after 27 km in the early afternoon. Once again the question arose whether I should paddle on or not. Since the sun is still shining, so I can charge the power bank and dry everything, and it's supposed to rain from 4 p.m., I'm staying here tonight and can relax and prepare for the rainy day tomorrow... I would like to go to Motala, but I have two shelter options on the way if I don't make it, because there's a thunderstorm forecast for the afternoon.... We'll see! You can never really plan it!

Today's shelter is something special and I could see it well from the water. However, landing with the rocks wasn't all that easy, because the boat was supposed to be on dry land overnight. But I was able to solve that somehow...

Now I'm sitting here and looking out over the now quite calm lake and it mizzles...

It's almost a little spooky: There's no boat (not even a fisherman or angler) to be seen anywhere (the whole day long)! The only human soul I saw today was a person standing on his porch far away from me. (But it was similar in Canada when Anke, Claus and I were there in late autumn.) The season is over and I have one more reason to paddle safely along the shoreline...Read more