I moved out to Sweden in April this year and have been living in a caravan on a secluded campsite.
What still amazes me is the space they have. A population of just 9 million in a country much bigger than Britain where there are 60 million. And most of that space is filled with trees and lakes. They have an 'old man's right' of access to almost all of this wilderness - you are even allowed to stay 48 hours on privately owned land (though you never see this abused).
The local authorities even provide areas to have fires, usually with a stock of chopped wood.
Half the people I know collect berries (wild strawberries, blueberries and lingon) in the summer and mushrooms in the autumn. It's a national pastime. Even children know which to collect and which not. The ability to make a decent camp or cooking fire is a skill just taken for granted.
Every builder's and hardware shop sells the plastic sheathed Mora knives or, more commonly, a copy version, sometimes so cheaply they're regarded as disposable rather than resharpened.
Inspired (or tired) by everyone telling me how viking they are, I treated myself to a really nice Hultafors hand made axe which I have used to shape and fit bark wood I used to make raised paths and outdoor toys.
The summer here has been great, but I am still in a caravan and winter is coming.... Here, that can mean -20C
Nevertheless, this is a great country for anyone who loves the great outdoors.
What still amazes me is the space they have. A population of just 9 million in a country much bigger than Britain where there are 60 million. And most of that space is filled with trees and lakes. They have an 'old man's right' of access to almost all of this wilderness - you are even allowed to stay 48 hours on privately owned land (though you never see this abused).
The local authorities even provide areas to have fires, usually with a stock of chopped wood.
Half the people I know collect berries (wild strawberries, blueberries and lingon) in the summer and mushrooms in the autumn. It's a national pastime. Even children know which to collect and which not. The ability to make a decent camp or cooking fire is a skill just taken for granted.
Every builder's and hardware shop sells the plastic sheathed Mora knives or, more commonly, a copy version, sometimes so cheaply they're regarded as disposable rather than resharpened.
Inspired (or tired) by everyone telling me how viking they are, I treated myself to a really nice Hultafors hand made axe which I have used to shape and fit bark wood I used to make raised paths and outdoor toys.
The summer here has been great, but I am still in a caravan and winter is coming.... Here, that can mean -20C
Nevertheless, this is a great country for anyone who loves the great outdoors.
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