Sodertajle and Scania

In the young age I developed a passion for trucks/lorries. I remember that year of 1994 when Scania launched a 4th generation truck with new cabin. I red an article in a magazine about main factory in Sodertajle. Since then I wanted to visit the birth place of Scania*.
Couple days before reaching my destination I met a local friendly truck driver who gave me a lift in his own and first day on the job Scania as a "cassette".
Then I cycled on to Sodertajle which became yet another destination of my trip. The museum of Scania is open all year around, though due to celebration lunch for loyal employees, the main hall was empty. Most of exponats were stored neatly in local garages. I was given an unique chance to see those ones as Nicolas my host for that day guided me around.

* I learnt later on, that Scania originally came from Malmo, whereas Vabis was from Sodertajle.

Special credit to Linda from the reception . Unfortunately, as a camera shy persona no photo taken of Linda

Hallsberg

Well, my journey by a train had finished at Hallsberg train station as SJ a Swedish national train company follows an archaic rule of forbidding bicycles on board. This did not stop me from chatting to two attractive members of SJ crew at the platform, just for fun of it.
The station with free WiFi allowed me to update my fb profile, find myself on the map as I was not aware where Hallsberg was.
Carl Gustav, who worked that evening at the station was very helpful. It was pleasure to met,  as well as young Oscar, who frankly told me about himself.
Then I cycled in to the night. Made my camp after midnight, somewhere by the lake.

Couch surfing - Oslo

Well, I learned about Couch Surfing (CS) from Swedish cyclist met by Loch ness in the summer'07. Then I moved this idea to the drawer called "next time".  Then , while resting in Vandrerhjen I met this fellow cyclist: Hrvoje Juric* who recommended CS.
   This time I decided to have a go. I registered on CS and then started to spread my request. I had chosen my host profile as women my age+. Why not?  This time I wanted to do this way and I had done it.
Though from dozen requests only 2 came back as "maybe" and then through emails my host accepted my request. Searching for a couch was like fishing, you have to try many times and be patient.
    This way I met my first host, Rakel and her dog.(photo below :-)  )
I stayed for two nights, slept on the mattress in a small though cozy flat. We walked the dog, once even went to a nearby forest where by a shelter/hut made a camp fire with baked potatoes and corn, and a picnic interestingly flavoured sausage. Then we watched black and white movie: "Down by law" directed by Jim Jarmush.
To summarise my first surfing was positive experience.
Yet, another way to meet an interesting people.

*Hrvoje, another crazy guy to cycle to Nordkapp, this time from Croatia.

Train to Trondheim

I find this interesting, chatting to people. While riding for some time on your own, gives you chance to reflect, to have different perspective.
While being on the train gives me a chance to interact with you my spectators of a tiny sketch "my, myself and surly" Then I have a chance to tell my story and listen to yours.
When on the train to Trondheim I met Monike accompanied by a young French guy Nathan and intelligent young blonde girl which the name somehow evaporated from my mind. Though I remember some interesting facts, as she studied in Tromso and in the future would like to be a midwife.
It would be an interesting idea to ask someone to capture that moment with camera. We all seating on the train and having a lough, a good time.  Especially when we all had bursted with laughter when a conductor was giving short instruction to the young Frenchman how to operate the toilet door. "Open" and "close" .

MS Lofoten

Well, even my brother was having me enough ;-)  The time was right to move and hit the road again. This time for only 30km to the ferry port Risoyhamn. What a ride, what a beautiful morning! After some time the sun came out strongly. The ride became even more interesting when close to Risoyhamn I had  a chance to ride on the snow for the first time during my trip.
At the port I met for the first time M/S Lofoten part of the Hurtigruten fleet. She was still going strong despite her shaky hull. On the board I met some interesting people.
This fella is awesome, he walked across Norway, on his own for 140 days. Please meet Simon. Photo credit to Lillian :-)  a Norwegian girl who was part of my short self driven chit chat  moment, which I enjoyed extremely:-) 

Ribe (D) 29.08.2013

Some time ago, /29.08/ at the beginning of my trip I met Iza with her mum. Ladies were on coach holidays and at that moment when I overheard my mother language I simply joined in:-)
Even though Iza left her contact details it was impossible to contact her :O

Very close to the location of this photo I made a pit stop. According to Tobias* the building at some point was occupied by a bishop. Now it is a family house. The yard was so inviting with its tranquil atmosphere and stone tables made of ... Norwegian granite.
When I was leaving, Tobias brought me some apples from a garden. Which was very kind. Thank you amigo.

*hopefully the name is correct, anyway I know it was you and vice versa :-)

PS Iza, your email did not work

LF1 The Netherlands

On my first week of my trip I met this group of fellow cyclist pedaling along LF1 towards Haarlem (NL). When I heard my language I instantly joined in. We cycled for ca. 30km then we took this photo. Then I cycled along route LF1 and organised my camp somewhere in the forest.
On the photo from the left: me, Natalia, Maria and probably Lukasz.
This post is long time overdue, my apology:-)