Because of the problem with my ear, we have the archipelago around us Stockholm not viewed. It's a shame, we actually had a lot planned. But who knows if we won't come back to this area after all. We usually want to be in Norway at Midsummer and the young couple in Vasteras explained that the borders will be opened gradually. Let's see, it's still a good 4 weeks until then. And if not, then maybe we'll come back to Stockholm, an enchanting city, and its surroundings.
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Hälleskogsbrännan nature reserve - oppressive and interesting at the same time
As we went through the Hälleskogsbrännan nature reserve drove to the parking lot, it was very depressing to see how much forest there is no longer. Most of the reserve burned down in 2014. That summer it was very warm and dry and on the day of the fire it was also very windy. When a spark struck a forest machine, the conditions set the fire very quickly. It burned for about 12 days and they used helicopters to fetch water from distant lakes to fight the fire from the air.
The military, the fire brigade and a great many volunteers have worked to contain the fire. From Thursday (when the fire started) to Monday night, a total of 5,000 soccer fields burned down. Since the fire had approached the localities, many people had to be evacuated because it also spread to buildings and it was no longer “just” a forest fire. It was approaching the city of Norberg, a few kilometers from the Hälleskogsbrännan nature reserve. On the 12th day after the start of the fire, it began to rain and it was reported that the fire was slowly coming under control as a result. The fire zone had a total area of 50 * 20 kilometers.
When you read this story on display boards and see the accompanying pictures, you become very different. A few trees survived, but of course they were attacked by the fire. Many trees that are dead because of the fire tower gray in the sky and it looks really ghostly. Most of them have fallen over and are serving as food for new life. It is also warned that you should be particularly careful in windy weather, as the dead trees no longer have a hold and can fall over.
Some remains of the trunk are burnt black like a memorial in the middle. Directly at the parking lot there are the display boards and a small path to a lookout tower. When we were up there and looking over the Hälleskogsbrännan nature reserve, we became very still. It's depressing to see it all from above. On the other hand, it is interesting to see how nature reclaims the soil. Outside the reserve boundary, new trees have been planted, but inside nature is left to its own devices.
The fire was 7 years ago and in some places there are an incredible number of young trees that are up to 3m high. Most of them are deciduous trees and a few conifers. On the display boards along a small circular path, it is explained how the forest will develop and how it can look in 100 years. Moss, flowers and grass also grow back quickly. Life returns, you hear many birds, frogs and other animals. We spent 2 nights at this place, but you can definitely stay much longer in the Hälleskogsbrännan nature reserve. There are various viewpoints, hiking trails and fire pits so you can spend some time here.
Engelsberg ironworks and Norberg mineral mines
After 2 quiet nights we went on our way and had an "industrial day". The 1st station was at Ironworks in Engelsberg. The ironworks and the buildings belonging to it were built at the end of the 17th century and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. There were many ore mines in the surrounding region and the ironworks was one of the most modern ironworks in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. Sweden was the market leader in high quality "Sweden" steel. In 1919 the plant was closed because it was no longer profitable.
It slowly fell into disrepair until 1970 and then restorations began. Much has been preserved, even some machines are still running perfectly. Most of the village around the plant is inhabited and some of the paths are not accessible because they are private. Most of the buildings can no longer be visited either. The others were unfortunately still closed. Almost all buildings are painted in the typical Scandinavian red.
You can find more details about the Engelsbruk ironworks here:
https://www.schwedenstube.de/blog/engelsberg-bruk/
In Norberg we then looked at the mines. The oldest mines in the region are located here and ore was mined almost exclusively. Some of the disused pits are up to 370m deep and filled with rainwater. They look like little lakes. Some of the buildings belonging to it are still standing, but at the mercy of decay.
We walked a small circular path that leads past the pits to the "blue grotto" and then through a small tunnel to the larger pit with buildings. The “blue grotto” can be visited through a small tunnel. It is called so because the water on the opposite wall runs from the mountain into a lake that shimmers steel blue. Incidentally, we were able to visit both for free, like so much here in Sweden.
We then drove to the overnight place we had chosen in Falun. It was a parking lot at a bathing area, which was also well attended. Since it was still early, I wanted to bake bread at the Omnia. There was coming and going in the parking lot, and there were also many on foot on the way to the bathing area. In the evening some youngsters came to the party and went swimming. At some point it got too much and for the first time we started looking for a new place to stay, it was 9:30 p.m.
Half an hour later we came to a lake that also had a swimming area, but the noise and engine noises were limited. At around 1 o'clock in the night a small group came on mopeds and they probably also went swimming (Brrrrrr), but we still slept well.
But the next day there was a lot going on. By the time we drove on, half the parking lot was full and everyone was at the bathing area. The weather was also very warm, and it was already around 10 o'clock in the morning. We probably got some mosquito bites the day before. I even have one on my eyelid, which is really very uncomfortable. It's swollen and red and there is nothing you can do about it. Even ointment would be stupid, as it is super warm and if the sweat is in the eyes, ointment is not so good. So I have to go through there now ......
Västanvikbadets campsite in Leksand
I need to wash urgently. So we chose a campsite near our next point. It's pretty warm and even Finja is totally stunned by the weather. Since the place on a huge lake, the Siljan, let's hope it's not quite as hot there. Before doing a quick bulk purchase in Falun and then we drove off. We are slowly coming north, we notice that in the surroundings.
It is getting hilly, not so flat and for 2-3 weeks it has not been really dark at night either. There is no need to look for the stars. If you wake up around 1 a.m. and look outside, you could go for a run like a flashlight without additional light. Well, and around 2:30 am the sun rises again. 2 more weeks and it's midsummer night !!
As most campsites only have a washing machine, our personal condition was to only stay when it is free. And we were lucky, both with the washing machine and with the weather. The pitch we got was right on the water. The sun burned down from the sky, but there was always a light wind on the water so that it didn't get too hot. The washing machine was also great, it was a small industrial machine that only needed 1 hour for a 60 ° C wash. So washed and hung the laundry in the sun, it was almost dry again.
We liked the place and I had a machine to wash the next day, so we stayed 2 nights. Sitting outside and working was also great. On the 2nd day we cleaned the inside of the bus. If we could have saved ourselves…. All around the lake are conifers that are just getting their cones and therefore still carry a lot of pollen. Well, and then a good wind came over the lake and everything was just yellow.
This is camping… Basti was in the water the day before, but later said that it was freezing cold and that even he had to overcome himself to completely submerge. The locals are less sensitive to this. Then I am not in, it is too cold for me …… .. After 2 days we drove on again.
You can find more pictures in the Sweden photo gallery.
