Another cracker of a day. 24 deg C predicted! Lovely sunrise over the lake.
We depart by car to travel to Motala on the eastern side of the lake.
Our friend von Platen designed the city of Motala - in the shape of a fan. Later, shortly after Motala, we pass where he is buried and when ships pass, they toot the horn in acknowledgment of his achievements.
It was pleasant sailing along the canal - this section is more residential. This is someone’s cute holiday shack; I like the yellow door.
Then the canal flows into Lake Boren - via the steepest lock combination on the entire canal system - Borenshult (15 m change in height - 5 locks/3 m change per lock).
From here it was just lake - pleasant enough.
We arrive at Borensberg at lunchtime. 12 locks in total.
MF collects a bike (a different one) and there seems to be a confusion with the booking; no surprises there. Fortunately we work it out. Argh.
He will travel the towpaths the rest of the way to Ljungsbro.
I will follow by (another!) boat - MS Wasa Lejon - to Berg then walk to Ljungsbro from Berg. That’s the plan.
The lock at Borensberg is the second of the two manually-operated locks on the canal.
Different boat … same canal … there’s only so many canal photos you can take …
Finally the boat reaches the famous Berg lock (Berg Slussar) which is the biggest staircase lock on the canal. It consists of a total of seven lock chambers connected in direct succession over 1 km with a height difference of 18.9 metres.
It was good to get in. My next plan was to visit the Vreta kloster bryggeri (the Monastery Brewery: the nuns brewed and drank beer).
The beers are mostly Belgian in style and have won medals. By the time I walked there the over 2 kms from Berg, I definitely enjoyed one!
The place was packed and a young couple let us share their table outside - she is Swedish and he English. We had a very interesting chat.
I then walked back to Berg for dinner - another 2 kms. Nice meal - outside, canalside.
Then back again in the direction of the brewery and beyond to Ljungsbro to our accommodation - at a ‘leisure centre’ (like a youth camp …). Another 4 kms.
But … the walking back to Ljungsbro along the towpath in the evening light - what bliss!
MF meanwhile was on the bike - a piece of cake (sort of - the bikes are not great).
In fact, as things turn out, it is a good thing my broken arm has stopped me from riding as I am the most incredible wuss when it comes to bikes; I would have been whingeing the entire time… I certainly won’t be recommending this company!
To add insult to injury, MF checked in earlier in the afternoon whilst I was STILL on the boat… there was no-one at reception for an hour or so and they gave him the 3rd degree re ‘what do you mean you didn’t bring sheets?’; they then wanted to charge extra and he (quite rightly) baulked and said they could chase that up with the tour company; and THEN (that’s not all!) - HE HAD TO MAKE THE BEDS!
But as I say, I loved my walk back along the towpath with the sun setting and the onset of evening casting a gold glow over everything. Just beautiful.
Total walking for me: 11 kms
Total cycling for MF: 35 kms
Weather amazing and beautiful scenery! Jenny
ReplyDeleteNo wonder these places are the most desirable to live. Jennifer x
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