Thursday July 7, Malllenjusnan River, near Havra

Upwards through the trees

We were doing some research this morning about getting our German gas bottle refilled with LPG in Sweden, there is no chance of exchanging them like in Germany. Found out there was a place back in Falun where we were yesterday, and maybe one other place further north. Decided for peace of mind the best option was to drive the 20 minutes back into Falun and get it sorted at the specialist gas centre. Good call, no issues and now we have a full gas bottle in reserve.

We met a very friendly Swedish couple last week at a camp and were discussing places to visit in Sweden. They told us about a great drive up North between Stromsund and Vilhelmina on HW 342 and showed us some photos. It looked amazing, so today we continued north for the two day trip to get to the Stromsund.

The drive north on HW50 took us to Bollnas through some really remote forest country, great roads and not too much traffic. Had a stop at Lidl and lunch in a quiet corner of their carpark.  Then on HW50 to Ljusdal before turning onto HW84.

We are really enjoying the overnight stops we have been finding in Park4Night and today is another beauty. After a 250km trip it was so good to arrive at this parking area about 1km off the road overlooking a river and rapids. And only a car and caravan for “company”.

Had a walk down the track to the river, and found a spot at the bottom with several cabins and shelters with large barbecues and firewood. Such a change after the lakes we have camped beside in the last few days.

When planning this trip, we thought we would carry on from Sweden into Finland, then the Baltic States and Poland, knowing that the political situation was always going to be an issue. We are getting close to making that decision, but tonight had a good long chat with friends Mike and Marla who are great travellers. Their thoughts were with the refugees coming into Poland from Ukraine and the Baltic States being so close to the action, maybe it wasn’t the time to see these countries at their best. And deep down we had to sadly agree. Have a few days to finally decide, but guessing we will rethink our general itinerary.

Impressionism - Rapids!

Last light

Forest floor

Tonights view down to the river.

A great shelter on the hiking trail