This morning we planned to cycle eastwards along the canal to Toreboda which is one of the larger towns on the canal and we decided to set off quite early to avoid the heat of the day. The brilliant blue skies and verdant green of the countryside made for great scenes all the way and I hope the clarity of the views is apparent in the photos.
Our hosts at Asgarten had informed us that another canal cruiser was due on or stretch of the canal today, this being the Bellevue which is a day cruiser travelling east to west and leaving its passengers at Sjotorp to return by coach which whilst less of a belle vue is a much faster journey. Clearly the canal cruising season is ramping up rapidly.
Upon arriving at Toreboda, coffee was the first requirement and I am now seriously worried about the LLW since, in the first time in living memory, there was no mention of cakes being required. Now the LLW was expecting an important call from the office so Ray was sent off to observe the delights of Toreboda on his bike which part from the church and the shortest ferry in Sweden, were not that numerous!
Having cycling down to the shortest ferry, I did of course need to cross the canal this way. There is no charge and the ferry is operated by one man pulling on a rope and pulley which is attached to both sides.
Whilst walking along the lake shore, the LLW demonstrated signs of recovery by insisting upon a double ice cream, including rum and raisin
Our hosts at Asgarten had informed us that another canal cruiser was due on or stretch of the canal today, this being the Bellevue which is a day cruiser travelling east to west and leaving its passengers at Sjotorp to return by coach which whilst less of a belle vue is a much faster journey. Clearly the canal cruising season is ramping up rapidly.
Upon arriving at Toreboda, coffee was the first requirement and I am now seriously worried about the LLW since, in the first time in living memory, there was no mention of cakes being required. Now the LLW was expecting an important call from the office so Ray was sent off to observe the delights of Toreboda on his bike which part from the church and the shortest ferry in Sweden, were not that numerous!
Having cycling down to the shortest ferry, I did of course need to cross the canal this way. There is no charge and the ferry is operated by one man pulling on a rope and pulley which is attached to both sides.
On the way back we stopped for a picnic lunch at a delightful spot next to the locks at Hajstorp. The last two lunches are probably the cheapest ever for the Jacksons, consisting of ham, tomatoes and fruit purchased at the local supermarket for the princely sum of £7 for both lunches!
Early afternoon we decided to drive the 20 mins to Mariestad on the shores of Lake Vanern, which has an old town of wooden houses and cobbled streets.
Whilst walking along the lake shore, the LLW demonstrated signs of recovery by insisting upon a double ice cream, including rum and raisin
We have had a wonderful two days by the Gota Canal and the weather has been perfect- so lucky to have seen this beautiful countryside at its very best. One more day of cycling and then on to Stockholm. I would love to cycle the whole length of the canal staying at various places en route but sadly I don't think we would ever experience 7/10 days of the weather we are having this week. Temperatures are forecast to increase and 27C is likely in Stockholm on Friday and Saturday.
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