An Alien in Sweden

I came across quite a good saying today “There is no bad weather, only poor clothing” and it got me thinking about the argument that I’ve noticed between Swedish and British outdoor activities. Sweden has FAR more space than the UK but the obvious fact that is so obvious is that Swedes take advantage of it.

Last week I was in a bar in Norrkoping and I overheard a conversation, in English, that two Swedes were having with an American. They were talking about the forthcoming weekend and they were planning a sailing, fishing and camping weekend somewhere down South. Now for me if this was in the UK it would be almost impossible to comprehend, whilst we have substantial sailing, camping and fishing places it is hard to find them in the same spot, yet in Sweden they are in a multitude of places.

I’ve also been reading about allemansratten which is a Swedish right of way through many of its natural places without having entrance fees or any boundaries. In the UK the only places that exist like these are the National Heritage Parks and usually it is the “Ramblers Association” that seem to be queue up in the UK like cars on the M25 and that is no exaggeration! Just the mere notion that Sweden has so much pride and care for it is environment is thrilling to see. So many EU countries are still in that Victorian manner of, “If we have space we will build on it”

Even in the harsh winter it does not seem to stop the Swedes from having fun. When I first moved here I could not really understand why everyone seemed to be partaking in “Urban Skiing”, which of course I found to be Nordic Walking, but even on frozen lakes I’ve seen children and parents skating. Far different from when I was a child and the only reason we would dare walk out across a frozen lake was to see if we could last longer than our friends before falling.

It’s been a terrific and quite refreshing winter so far and I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much winter activity as I have here and as the snow slowly melts and the winter turns to spring I just wonder how each upcoming season will change the way the Swede’s enjoy the outdoors. It’s going to be fun to watch and try.

Report abuse »

One thing that really does surprise me about Sweden is just how big the country is. It’s the third largest country in Europe yet has a population less than that of London and Paris. When I lived in Australia it was fairly obvious that you could only inhabit certain parts of the country due to the extreme heat in the Desert yet I have always wondered about if there were places in Sweden that were too cold to inhabit.

If you look at the Geographical map of Sweden the majority of the largest cities are in the South and South West of the country, Goteborg being the exception. Yet the answer is rather simple.

Unlike most other European countries that seem intent on building on every available space Sweden knows that it’s love of the environment and passion for the outdoor sports is a legacy to be enjoyed by every generation not just now.

There are parts of Sweden that are still untouched by man and it’s a great honour and privilege to be able to take advantage of this and enjoy a camping experience that only really existed a few hundred years ago. Man vs. nature, outdoor survival, it’s just something that somehow has been lost in these days of package holidays and sun seeking worship.

I’ve heard many comments on how boring the Swedish landscape is and that it’s purely red house after red house, tree after tree yet the past week driving through the autumnal landscape has given me an insight into what natural beauty really is all about. In a European country that is as cosmopolitan as any Sweden is quite possibly the last untouched natural paradise in Europe.

It should be there to be enjoyed and loved by all and during my time here I am certainly going to take advantage of it. England has run out of space, Scotland my homeland, is the only natural escape I had.

How fortunate I am to now have it right on my very doorstep.

Report abuse »