Day Seven. Harkan River Sweden.

0725hrs. Awake. There was a fair amount of condensation on the inside of the bivvy this morning. Due in part no doubt to the fact we were producing heat inside and we were camped next to the river and cold air. Somebody was to remark later that morning about the mist that had settled on the tree line earlier that morning. Crawling out of the bivvy, Steve, Johan and Les were already up. Whilst Mike and Jackie struck the bivvy and laid it out on some rocks in the sun to dry off young Casper and Steve, who were the duty fire lighters this morning set about their task. With consummate ease they had a roaring fire going in minutes. 

Dave, flushed with the ‘success’ of his Kelly Kettle last night was sat with yet another brew going. The sun was now peaking over the head of the dam. Most people were now up.

Breakfast. Last morning on the river.

0820hrs. Everyone is sat on the canoes around the fire enjoying a brew. Still in the shade and despite the fire the air temperature was lower. Many moved onto the rocks to one side to sit in the sun and finish their drink. Jay moved off to collect firewood whilst Tim announces this morning’s breakfast will be Bacon, Chorizo sausages, Salami, with scrambled eggs, tea and coffee. A veritable feast for our last morning on the river.

There is a relaxed air to this morning’s events. We do not have far to travel to base camp at Lits Camping.

https://litscamping.com/  The thought of finishing is what makes many tarry I suspect. With time in hand Jackie enquires of Maisie if a visit to ‘the salon’ is possible?

Time enough for another visit to the hairdressers.

Tim, the newest member of The Harkan River Fishing Club.

Whilst others take care of the more mundane kitchen tasks, Tim grabs a finishing rod and within seemingly minutes of casting has a small brown trout on the line. Another newly enrolled member of the Harkan River Fishing Club. Unfortunately this little guy was a little too keen in taking the lure, a triple hook, which entered his gills. He was in a poor way and so he was quickly dispatched.

Gotta love sashimi. Straight from the river It doesn't come any fresher.

Jackie was less than keen on handling the fish and declined Jay’s kind offer of poking his eye out and eating it. Not Maisie, who once she realised giving the trout the kiss of life was not going to revive it set about examining his teeth. Now viewing this as a food source she soon followed Jay’s example, had poked out the little guys other eyeball and before we could scrabble for the delicacy had popped the eyeball in her mouth and it was gone. Nature’s chewing gum. Please though do not stop buying Wrigley’s Gum as Jackie’s pension relies upon sales.

Despite his size it was decided we would not waste him. Dave produced a ‘plate’ of Silver Birch bark upon which Les laid the fish and under Jay’s tuition he soon had the guy filleted. Whilst Maisie took him down to the river to wash him off, Tim doubled away to one of the barrels returning with some soya sauce into which we dipped our sushi before chewing away.
Much to my surprise even Jackie attempted a chaw. The first piece I ate whole but the second I found it easier to strip the scales off with my teeth and just eat the flesh.
Jackie took this to a whole new level though.
Still the party atmosphere prevailed with Les offering impromptu golf lessons on the beach. Mike never one to miss an opportunity to try something new enrolled and was soon teeing up. Suffice it to say that Rory McIlroy need not worry about his title.

1200hrs. It was time to start out on the last few clicks of our journey. This took us into the gorge. Not as dramatic as perhaps its name suggests but in comparison to the country travelled this last week it was slightly more enclosed

There were some minor ripples to run but by now we were confident in our improved ability.
The river widened once again and occasionally we could hear, somewhere beyond the trees, the sound of lorries travelling on a road. Houses now sprang up with regular monotony at the river’s edge. These were not the weekend or fishing huts we had been seeing but full blown year round dwellings. Ahead, spanning the river was a large bridge. No sooner had we passed under than Johan shouted over “Make your way to that landing point”. Without realising it we were at journey’s end.

EndEx.

As we in turn pulled the canoes up onto the grass, for we were on the rear part of Lits Campsite on the river, Johan asked that we empty the canoes of all kit and clean them out together with the barrels. The canoes we could place in a neat row to one side whilst the paddles, BA’s and sponges needed to be returned to the paddle store. Meanwhile he had some admin to attend to. We set about our tasks. The day was clear and bright and despite saddened by the fact it was the end of the journey it was comforting to think one had completed it.
Johan returned and called all in for a quick brief on what was to follow. I fully expected to be allocated a section of the camping field upon which we could erect our bivvy but no. It seems he had been away organizing four cabins for our use that night. Each cabin, all with en-suite facilities would sleep four. We were to organize ourselves. The next bit of news he had was that the sauna was up and running and as soon as we had settled into the cabins, showered and changed we were welcome to use the sauna. He would collect us all and take us over and give instructions. Whoopee!

Lunch was laid out next to the Tepee and was devoured as though by a plague of biblical locusts.

1445hrs. Saw us in our respective cabins. Mel and Les bunked in with us and before we had an opportunity to check anything out Mel had ‘shotgunned’ the double bed. Mike was relegated to the top bunk in bedroom two after Jackie laid claim to the bottom bunk. It was cosy warm inside, the heating was on and it was only then that you realised that the outside air temperature must have been lower than we thought. Our bodies had become accustomed to the lower temperatures I suppose.
Whilst the girls took turns in the shower, Mike set about repacking all kit for the journey home tomorrow. There was very little wet kit but most stank of seven days sat in front of a smoking fire. The items of greatest concern were knives, saws and axes. These we were reminded by Johan to pack inside the hold luggage. I had decided to take home my lucky Irish golf club but realised it was far too long to fit into my hold luggage. I took out the Bahco and cut off enough to enable it to fit.
Now showered we sat in our lounge with a coffee, made in the kitchenette and recapped on the week’s experiences. It is claimed I fell fast asleep. I maintain I was conducting an eyelid inspection. “Heavy lies the responsibility of command upon one’s shoulders and with that burden lifted one invariably relaxes. Sometimes this is manifested as a kip”! I suggested. “Nonsense”, says Jackie. “What responsibility, I’ve been carrying you all week. You feel asleep you old fool”.

1745hrs. There is a knock on the door. It’s opened, Jay and Johan appear. “Sauna in five”. It is apparent they have not yet stopped and changed. There must be more admin we were not aware of. Jay’s wife, family members and some friends were arriving tomorrow at Ostersund and they had been into town purchasing rations for a trip down the Harkan River on Sunday! Lucky ducks!

1750hrs. We all traipsed towards the sauna beside the lake. Johan had the key and unlocked the door. Those of us assembled arranged ourselves on various seats at different levels within whilst Johan gave us the safety lecture. It was a wood burning Sauna. “What else in Sweden? Water in here to heat, water poured here for steam, keep the door closed, cool off by a quick dip in the lake outside. Any questions”?

From out of the steam filled room someone asked “Do we need to keep our strides on”? “Most certainly” one of the girls replied.

Young Casper was missing. Steve informed us that the TV held better pull than a sauna. Understandable perhaps. He had done remarkably well during his journey down the river. At first he must have been a little in awe of us adults but gradually as the days past one could see his character emerging together with his sense of humour. Not once did I hear him moan or whine, he was also keen to help around the camp. As much as any ten year old boy might. Ask him what the best part of the whole trip was and he would proudly tell you the last two nights when he slept in a hammock on his own. Selection for that boy!

Maisie took her leave. As she was sharing with three lads it gave her a degree of privacy for a shower. This did not turn out well as she didn’t check the temperture of the water before she stepped in and received a nasty burn on her chest. Those of us remaining in the sauna took turns heating the room to even higher temperatures or running outside to jump into the lake. This continued till about 1850hrs when we all realised we needed to be changed and ready for the short walk into the village for a Pizza and beer in a short while.
As agreed we gathered for the walk into the local village for scran and a beer. The weather was dry if a little cold. The talk seemed to be centred around beer by some of the guys and no sooner had we arrived at the Pizza bar than Ben and Rik set off across the road to the local petrol station cum ‘offie’ to stock up. They rerturned shortly with enough beer to sink the Bellgrano. As had been the case with our first meal here on arrival last week the pizza and a beer was included in the catering. However with a great show of generousity Dave insisted on buying the first round of drinks and Ric the second. We were the only people on-board dining and once again the meal was very well received by all.

2245hrs. We return to our cabin. Pleasantly contented. A couple of beers works wonders I must admit.

2310hrs. Lights out.