Dedicated to a wonderful Mother Jean Noble 31/5/1929 - 20/8/2007 - may we never take our mothers for granted. - Goodbye Mum
SWEDEN
PAGE
3 OCTOBER 2007
(Updated 16/10/07) The worlds richest Nations (per capita). Out of the ten Richest Countries (based on 2006 GNP per capita in US$)
1. Luxembourg $87,955.00 2. Norway $72,306.00 |
3. Qatar $62,914.00 4. Iceland $54,858.00 |
5. Ireland $52,440.00 6. Switzerland $51,771.00 |
7.Denmark $50,965.00 8. United States $44,190.00 |
9. Sweden $42,383.00 10. Netherlands $40,571.00 |
(NOTE: ***Luxembourg's high GNP per capita is due in part to a significant number of its workforce living in neighbouring countries. Non-residents are not counted in Luxembourg's population which in turn raises the country's GNP per capita score. This effectively places Norway in first spot. (REF: Here)
Still with the “Super Rich” but hoping to survive financially, amongst them :-) Who can forget ABBA.. We know so little about the Swedes and have come here to learn. Will they be as warm and inviting as the Norwegians were? Will corporate Sweden let them down just like “Corporate Norway” does? I will report as always what I see and describe as fairly as I can, our experiences... As always “Warts 'n All”. Thank you Sweden for allowing us amongst your tribe.
Monies in Aussie Dollars |
Thursday
October 11th
2007
Unda.
Approx.
18.95k's
Average
Speed
8.73kph
Cycling
time
2Hr(s)
10Min. Max
speed.
36kph
Max
temp we recorded
10°C
(Shade)
Terrain:
Hilly.
Road
Conditions:
Very
Good, O/night
Accom.:
$0.00
Rest Day with our Swedish Hosts
Well
that's about it for now – Catchya Later...
Friday
October 12th
2007
Unda
to Fagerhult.
Approx.
18.95k's
Average
Speed
8.73kph
Cycling
time
2Hr(s)
10Min. Max
speed.
36kph
Max
temp we recorded
10°C
(Shade)
Terrain:
Hilly.
Road
Conditions:
Very
Good, O/night
Accom.:
$0.00
Really
late start about 1:30pm Our hosts were happy for us to stay another
night, but we felt we had better move on as the cold weather is
really on us now. At 5:30 pm when we found this bush camp, it was
only 6C and falling rapidly. We are expecting up to -8C tonight. We
had a great time with the family and will share two or three pic's of
them here.
And
another :-)
We
thank you very much for your hospitality.
On a dirt road now
keeping away from traffic as much as pos.. It is enjoyable as the
road is well maintained and the countryside stunning.. Chores beckon
so must start cooking.. Catchya Later
Saturday
October 13th
2007
Bush
camp 20k's South of Fagerhult to Bush camp 58k's South of
Fagerhult
Approx.
38.11k's
Average
Speed
10.93kph
Cycling
time
3Hr(s)
29Min. Max
speed.
47kph
Max
temp we recorded
10°C
(Shade)
Terrain:
Hilly.
Road
Conditions:
Very
Good, O/night
Accom.:
$0.00
Really
cold day today with a 2C start after a very cold night... Not 100%
sure of the low last night but it felt very cold... Most of today it
has been up and down between 2C and 8C with the very short 10C peak
at 4pm. Eyes water a lot in the cold wind and extremities –
hands/feet – suffer most if not protected. We are coping well
with the cold but do welcome the warmth of the tent at night. The
mileage is creeping up a bit and my knee only complained the last 3-4
k's, so it is healing – better not push too much yet though.
Light
traffic and a pleasant rolling countryside made for a good ride..
some hills, though not super steep, were very long and meant a slow
crawl.
With
our bikes tucked into the bushes we set up another bush camp before
our assault on Gothenburg tomorrow. Catchya Later
Sunday
October 14th
2007
Bush
camp 20k's South of Fagerhult to Gottenberg.
Approx.
53.03k's
Average
Speed
9.22kph
Cycling
time
5Hr(s)
45Min. Max
speed.
36kph
Max
temp we recorded
14°C
(Shade)
Terrain:
Very
Hilly. Road
Conditions:
Very
Good, O/night
Accom.:
$0.00
Relatively
warm night – did not need our balaclava's on – Lee
frightened me to death the first night with hers on after I woke –
half asleep – and saw her :-) Great ride but I have pushed my
knee back to square one – thought I could do a mileage I have
done very often. We booked our ferry to Denmark at SEK500 inc bikes –
for two ($87.00).. Ships, no departure taxes and the hell at
Airports.. Check in 30 minutes prior and cycle on board –
slower than the air time but faster overall and soooo much cheaper.
Cycling to the recommended hotel we passed a Thai restaurant, Lee
darted inside to say “Sawatdee” (Hello)
We
were offered what turned out to be the best Thai food in years and on
the house!!!! “Kop Khun Marg Krup” (Thank you very
much).
Cycling on we could not find the first Guest House so went
to one that had been recommended at SEK500 – it turned out to
be nearly double this... At 9pm we were out of options. The guy on
reception turned out to be particularly helpful. He is from Belarus –
an old Soviet Satellite -
He
helped us tuck our bikes in the foyer under the CCTV cameras.... We
had a good chat and wish him well..
And
here are the bikes
Well
that's about it for Sweden – all too short a stay.... VERY sad
to leave.
Monday
October 15th
2007
Gottenberg
(Sweden)
to Frederikshavn (Denmark)
Approx.
14.52k's
Average
Speed
8.33kph
Cycling
time
1Hr(s)
44Min. Max
speed.
26kph
Max
temp we recorded
12°C
(Shade)
Terrain:
Very
Hilly. Road
Conditions:
Very
Good, O/night
Accom.:
$0.00
A
4pm sailing was in order and we left our hotel at 11am. Lee wanted to
visit the Thai people we met yesterday so off we went. After that we
looked a little around Gottenberg... It is a cycling Mecca, cycle
paths everywhere with small traffic lights to control the bikes... It
is fantastic...
Everywhere
we went today we were stopped and questioned. Help was freely offered
when we needed it, with translations etc.. We bought or ticket from
this lady yesterday.
Here
she was checking us on board today... Elizabeth and her husband have
visited Melbourne and surrounds, she said they enjoyed the
experience.
Crossing
borders is a hassle free exercise, by ferry.
SUMMARY SWEDEN
So far unsurpassed for it accommodating warmth and hospitality. Definitely, the universal forces willing, we will return to explore more fully in the future. Both Norway and Sweden are similar with their peoples. Corporate Norway, for us, was totally unforgiving, but it's people wonderful. Corporate Sweden is markedly different and considerably cheaper.. Bear in mind these observations have no basis in any formal sense, they are simply “ empirical perceptions”. Bottom line is that the people in Sweden were simply wonderful. We will never forget you Sweden.
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