Camping Trip to Arvika, Sweden, Summer 2023

 

Thao, Locki og Christina are my new neighbors here in Hagelundveien. They are from Vietnam and moved in across the hall last autumn. They are a likable family who first fell in love with Chomsky and then adopted me as a kind of grandfather. We often go for walks in the forest Lillomarka and Christina joins me on the walk nearby along the Alna river almost every evening. She is an exuberant, imaginative seven-year-old that is a pleasure to be with. The family spoils me with healthy and exotic food. But I believe that our friendship is of reciprocal joy and use. For example, I contribute with practical language teaching for Thao and training in skiing for mother and daughter. Christina is also making good progress in cycling. For the time being I am helping Thao in preparing for getting a drivers license.

 

We decided to go on a camping trip to Arvika on the 27.07. At the outset we intended to stay for four/five days, but a bad weather forecast made us limit our stay to two nights.

 

I was lucky to borrow a car trailer from my friend and old classmate Johan Nedregård. The trailer was practical and roomy, so we packed a lot that we did not need.

 

The GPS guided along pleasant and quiet roads in the forest towards Arvika. We paused for lunch near the lake Mangen, where Chomsky could go swimming. He relaxes better in the back of the car when he is wet.

 

After a short stop in Arvika, we headed for the camping site Ingestrand. It was almost fully booked, but we got a usable site with electricity not far from the lake. But only for two nights. We found that sufficient, because the weather forecast was bad.

I had a new tent that we had a little trouble erecting. However, we found the tent practical, with two inner tents, one for four persons and one for two, where I slept. Ample space inside for a camping table and chairs. But both Thao and Locki complained that the night had been cold. The next night, with better preparation, turned out to be better.

 

We could go swimming in the lake at a beach reserved for dogs, and we went for walks in the vicinity. And we made a lot of good food. For example, Chao prepared charcoal grilled prawns. Both Chomsky and myself enjoyed traveling with such good cooks.

 

On the return trip we stopped at Arvika, where we shopped a little and went for a walk in the park. Further on we stopped at the shopping center Charlottenberg, where Thao bought two warm sleeping bags and I bought wine, liquor and beer. Then, closer to the border, Thao bought a lot of meat.

 

A pleasant return trip, with a pause again at the Mangen lake.

 

“When we came back, we felt that we had had a nice trip.”