Hello headwind, my old friend

I’ve come to ride with you again,

….

Another day. More wind. But, great sights, experiences and riding with Tony and Cecilia, who was doing the first 45 km with us.

We met outside her hotel.

Her hotel was close to the old bridge and town.

Riding predominantly the Kattegatleden cycle trail involved pathways, open road, trails through villages, nature reserves, forests, coastal tracks and trails.

Interesting stone on the side of the road.

This tourist information hut was cute, full of local information and maps. Cecilia grabbed some maps to take with her. This is around Olofsbo.

Tony liked the bike pointing to the campsite.

We deviated from our route to check out a coastal area around Glommen, including lighthouse, harbour and an old sea land mine and torpedo.

This style of fencing is quite common in this region made with branches from trees. I would not think it would hold a strong beast.

The coastline was changing the further north we headed. Smooth large rocks along the coastline and the start of some of Sweden’s famous islands,

The wind was strong and the wind and kite surfers were making the most of it. Out of the wind, the sun was warm.

These photos were just south of Varberg.

The shared pathway into Varberg is fantastic, broad, wide and smooth, hugging the coastline.

We round a bend and Varberg Fortress appears. Built in the late 1200’s, as protection by a Count, against Eric VI of Denmark who accused him of murdering his father, Eric V.

The Fortress fell into Norwegian hands for many centuries.

Today it is a museum and accomodation where Cecilia booked in for the night.

Photo taken by Cecilia from within the Fort looking out.

We bid Cecilia farewell after enjoying time at a cafe. We will see her tomorrow as she will take the train to Kungsbacka to meet us, and ride with us to Gothenburg.

As we left we rode around the harbour. I liked this art installation of seagulls on a slide.

We rode through the edge of Getteron nature reserve, an expansive water nature park for bird lovers. One of Europe’s largest wetland parks with over 170 species of birds recorded.

The playground kept with the bird theme.

A lookout in the park.

Back onto open road, this part quieter through small villages and forests.

We had a 10 km section on open busy road with a small verge. We had just finished climbing a small hill when there was a lay by we pulled into, noting this lovely stone structure.

With 20 km remaining, it started to rain. Jackets on, camera away. With 5 km or so to go it stopped, camera came out at this village church.

It was so windy that our outer clothes were dry by the time we reached our destination in Kungsbacka, after having 98 km today.

We arrived at the same time as another touring cyclist. He started in Zurich (Switzerland) and has completed 2,000 km and is riding to North Cape (tip of Norway), with 2,500 km remaining. Respect.

We had dinner in the hotel as they had a 100 SK buffet (aud $16). You could order a la carte with most main meals around 240 SK, still ok but not matching the buffet!

Food in Sweden has been reasonably priced vs Denmark. This buffet was a bargain, nice quality, tasty and filling.

We ate too much so went for a wander around town.

This church is currently being restored. It is timber, and panels are being replaced.

A statue of sorts. Looks like something out of the Wizard of Oz.

Hello cyclist sign in the town square with supporting tools and air. We laughed with the brown house mention, taking us back to 2013 when we started cycle touring, back then, supported.

We had yellow notes, km by km, where to turn and it would often reference colours of houses. So ‘by the brown house’ made us say, looking around….’where is the brown house’.

I remember when we were riding through Troyes, France, the house referred to had been painted a different colour! Steve, the tour group manager came up in his van cursing the change of house colour.

Technology has improved in those 12 years and we have Hammerhead bike computers with our route on detailed maps. Satellite technology tracking us.

Our final photo walking through the park. We both laughed as it reminded us of our dear Khaleesi ‘backing one out’. Made from a famous white granite by a local artist no longer with us.

Day 18 done and we are over half way day wise, and well over half with km ridden (1,922). We have nearly climbed Mt Everest in height. A few more days.

Todays route.

Thanks for reading 😊❣️🚴💪