I went up north to visit a friend that has bought a house in the countryside for a few days. We played games, talked about life, and explored the landscape. We were blessed with amazing Autumn weather: Sunshine from a clear sky after the first cold nights and before storms to undress the trees. Trees exploded in yellow and orange and the low sun threw long shadows and sparkling highlights.
Orbaden and Asberget
First day we drove north to Hälsingland and stopped here and there to explore. A church ruin at Skog, a lake beach at Orbaden, and nearby Asberget with a steel tower to climb for a stunning view.
We stopped at a farm to buy local produce. This region is great for apple farming with long summers with plenty of sunshine.
Axmar Bruk and Gåseholma
Second day we stayed in Gästrikland and visited Axmar Bruk, an iron foundry that was active up until 100 years ago. Now a cultural reserve situated at the edge of the archipelago. The camping area, cafe, and restaurant were all closed for the season, but the scenery was spectacular. The blue sky, yellow trees and red buildings stood out bright and vivid.
After a walk along the harbour, industrial grounds and English park, we drove to Gåsholma, a fishing village at the end of a long peninsula reaching out into the Gulf of Bothnia. We found a trail that took us along a rocky beach and through a birch and pine forest ripe with blueberries and lingonberry which tasted extraordinary sweet after the first cold nights.
The winters up north are long and dark but when you can charge your mental batteries on gorgeous days like these, I can see why you want to live up here. Clearly a place to return to, perhaps in the Spring and bringing the rest of the family.