The Journey Home Begins...
This is where the juggling of time really starts.
Somehow, I need to do a full days work, eat, sleep, exercise and all that good stuff, find time to drive a few hours every few days. Oh, and also research and book accommodation along the way.
Today is my first full day of work since travelling out here, and I'm in the comfort of Jakub's and Sylvia's apartment (what's slightly strange is that I've worked with Jakub for over four years, and this is the first time that we've sat in the same room together. Yay, the joys of remote working).
As we crack on with work, I occasionally peer out of the window to see things getting whiter and whiter.
Time for some lunch, so we take a wonder into Falun...
After a full day of work, I say my goodbyes, and set off for a ~3 hour drive.
It's not long before the temperature is starting to read -1, -2 & then -3. Google Nav also decided to take me a 'more direct root' which basically meant that I was driving through a forest, for what felt like hours.
During this whole time, I only saw two other cars go past. The roads were getting whiter and whiter, and then the thoughts start racing. What if I come around a corner to face something stood in the road? what if I have to swerve? I've seen Misery! I know what can happen!! 😅
The call of nature eventually came, and I had to stop at the side of the road. I'm literally in the arse-end-of-nowhere... I haven't seen anyone for ages, and I'm surrounded by forest, darkness and an eerie silence. And it was just as I was finishing my business when I heard what sounded like scrunching snow coming from the darkness of the forest in front of me.
Not gonna lie, I think I literally travelled sideways back into the car and slammed the door shut. Heart pounding. WTAF was that 😬
I finally get back to the main road and the conditions improve a fair amount. I never thought I'd feel relieved to see a bit of traffic.
After another hour or so of driving, I finally reach my destination. A farm, just outside of Karlstad.
And whilst driving here, I'm fairly sure that I could see the spectacular green glow of the Northern Lights. Looking forward to the next few days here to explore and hopefully see a bit more of rural Sweden