SWEDEN Broen Bears

Central Sweden

I crossed over to Sweden last night and found a spot down a side road beside a Mountain lake. I can hear the main road above me but to all extents I'm isolated . I decided to have a 'no drive day'. I needed to wash some clothes and tidy the van. The insect impact on the bonnet of the van is something to behold. I was feeling tired from my travels and felt like a days rest. My log indicates I have travelled 4100km not counting the distance traveled in ferry's

This lake is about 10 km long and 1 to 2 km across , glacial formed, with large boulders on the shore line the surrounding hills are low and rolling covered with coniferous forest. There is a man made earth works across the other side and an outlet construction but that is the only evidence that the landscape has been changed. On closer examination, the scotch pine trees about 30 feet tall interspersed with Silver Beech. The under growth is low and soft and spongy to walk on . I'm sure it is covered in snow most of the year. I came through a mountain pass at the border, melting snow either side of the road no snow around here.

The lake is cold and clear. I washed myself this morning and attended to the bit of clothes washing, the temp soon moved up to the 20s by 0900hrs. In the bush beside the van I can hear small animals in the trees and scrub. It took a while to identify a family of red squirrels which are bigger than the London Grays. They have a very bushy tails and ears with extended hair giving them a comical look.

Ants are in abundance in the undergrowth and all round the van, larger than normal and have quite a nip when they get on to your bear skin. Small migges 's and mosquitoes are present. I have had to kept the van closed to get any respite. The occasional bee, wasp and hornet comes a visiting. They are escorted out smartly.

Bird life seems scarce. This morning I could see a few ducks and geese and can hear then chattering away somewhere. About two hundred yards of shore a family / flock of 8 'Black necked divers' cruised by fishing. They attracted several Arctic Terns who were opportunist and swooping down attempting to snatch the catch as the Divers surfaced. I suppose they are rearing chicks nearby also. Across the lake I can see an Eagle's nest high up in a half dead pine tree. It a substantial construction which sticks out against the skyline. No sign of inhabitants, I think the nesting activity has happened. Ill keep and eye out this evening. Its location is ideal as the eagle can come down at speed to the lake.

Spring growth gives a vibrancy to the landscape, I have been watching out for Elk, Reindeer, Moose but have only seen a badger sized unidentified animal scurry across the road in the distance. There is so much grass and pasture about at present that it is unlikely that any animal will appear on the lake shore today.

Have been reading the book my brother in law Bill, gave me when we were in Florida . 'Undaunted Courage', about the early exploration of the American West, following the big rivers the Missouri and Columbia. I read with interest about the tenacity of Grizzly Bears. They hate being shot and will charge even though they have been hit mortally several times. A zoo in the next town ORSA has a collection of Brown Bears. Apparently I'm in the heart of Sweden's brown bear country. Ill ensure the windows and doors are firm tonight. It will one more thing to watch out for over my shoulder, when im having my wash by the lake in the morning.

Sweden alone is twice as big as Britain and it will take a lot of driving to get north.

I'm still tempted to go up beyond the polar circle, and will probably leave the van at a place called SVEG .... I will check out the price of the train north tomorrow and make my plans from there. The 23^rd June will be a big day in Scandinavia as they celebrate Mid Summers Day

I wonder what will happen next

Alvin