Fishermans house

Beep, beep, beep…grrr that must be the alarm clock. Like two reluctant teenagers we dragged ourselves out of bed, got dressed and set off to the Electrolux centre at Uddevalla. An hour or so later we arrived at the service centre only to be greeted by Erik and his beaming smile. It made. pleasant change to be welcomed by someone we had already met. He introduced us to his senior engineer and his younger assistant and by 10.30 we were all fixed and sorted with complete new jet unit.

The service team

The fridge was back in action, yippee. Now for the charge…der, der,derrrrr. We had heard all sorts of nightmares about Swedish fees, so we held our breath and quickly glanced down at the invoice. Eh? Oh! All things considered we felt the overall charge including parts, labour and taxes of £110 wasn’t too bad. I paid the invoice whilst Craig went outside for a final chat with Erik. Erik told us about his home town and recommended we take a visit. We noted down the town before saying thank you and waving cheerio.

Where now? Lets go over there….We tootled down a side road and around the headland to a nice secluded beach location. We planned on taking the dogs for a walk but within 5 minutes of our trek we hit a dead end. The coastal path was limited access, so we back tracked with Mac n Tosh tails between their legs. Poor little chaps were all excited about a big adventure. Never mind, we tucked in to a spot of brunch before we hit the road once again.

One of the many cove views

We headed to the village of Skar in the hope we could catch a ferry to Lysekil peninsular. We had no idea if we could but hoped for the best. We arrived at Skar and way hey, there is a ferry! We got in line and 10 minutes later gentled rolled Vin in to lane 2. The ferry crossing only took 15 minutes but it was well worth it. Not only for the great views but it saved Vin’s tyres from the epic hike back in land and then back around the coast. The journey even made Craig smile…the ferry was free. We expected to pay at least a small fee but no, it is free..great service or what!

On the peninsular and we followed the flow of traffic until we took a left at the roundabout. Then full bumble a head to the town of Lysekil. As we wound in to the town from the headland it did not look that inspiring. A dirty, smelly, commercial port with oily rags and rusty containers. What happened to a quaint resort? We followed the signs for the camper stop, which took us right down in to the horrid port. An abandoned weed infested, concrete compound running alongside a trailer route greeted us…a quick u turn, me thinks! We followed the next camper stop sign, which took us to the front of the port. Sandwiched between the rail tracks and the bus terminal, an aire. Lined up in a neat little row a dozen or so campers. It wasn’t great but lets check out the price. Jeez £15 to be kept awake all night, I don’t think so. With that we left the happy campers and headed out of town.

Glorious sunshine

Within a couple of minutes and a wiggle over a hump or two we found an amazing wild camping spot. A tiny car park with it own sandy beach cove surrounding in pastel pink rock. Wow, this is beautiful. Handbrake on, jump out Vin and off we trot to explore our hidden gem.

Passed the beach and over a huge boulder to a small marina. Half a dozen little boats bobbing around a small wooden jetty and an elderly couple making a brew in their tiny red seaside hut. How cute. We wandered on by and climbed more pink boulders. Then we had an OMG look at that moment. We were stood on the edge of the Stångenäset peninsula, with Gullmarsfjorden (Sweden’s only real fjord) to the south and Brofjorden to the north. In front, millions of granite pink boulders with lots of fractures forming everything from deep bays to mini crevices. In the distance a small white wooden shed enticing us to explore further. With Mac n Tosh off we set boulder hopping and having a good old mooch around the headland. As we got closer the view just got better and better as hundreds of granite islands appeared out the tranquil north sea. It was a lovely walk and with the most rewarding view.

Early evening, we went for a scoot on the motorbike. A wander around the town, in to the church and then round to the marina. The evening light was so tranquil, i could have stayed there all night. I had a walk to the end of the wooden jetty and watched the jellyfish pulsate across the bay. Little feeder fish darting in and out the jellyfish strands. The sea bed covered in rich, dense kelp, attracting an colourful selection of fish. Under the jetty starfish. Ahh my favourite little sea creature…I then drifted off thinking of my late scuba diving buddy, Vinny. I used to drive him mad every time we went diving, covering him in starfish. Vinny enjoyed playing the grumpy old bugger and so sticking a starfish on his head made him all the more grumpy, which in turn made me chuckle. I drove him mad but he loved it. Day dreaming of the passed until something caught my eye…an small brown octopus. Stretching out his tentacle to check out the nearby starfish. Whoosh…my shadow caught his attention and he shot back under his rock. A cue for us to head home and snuggle up for the night.

Our sleep spot tonight, an awesome wild camping spot in Lysekil right at the side of the sea overlooking 100’s of granite islands. Cracking spot!

GPS position N058.268970 E011.424364

Route: Kungalv to Lysekil

Weather, low 9 high 24. Still warm and rosie cheek weather