Road 27

Though I have taken the regional train between Kalmar and Gothenburg countless times, today marked my first full drive along Road 27 and Road 25. En route, Eddie and I stopped at the Kronoberg Castle Ruins outside Växjö, a crumbling medieval fortress overlooking Helgasjön, where we also caught a glimpse of the 19th-century steamer S/S Thor and paused for ice cream in the sun, reflecting on the fact that 41 years have passed since my last visit.

Arriving in Kalmar, I jumped straight into the Baltic Sea. According to my Suunto, the water temperature was just 17 degrees – brisk, but not unbearable. With sunshine forecast for the coming days, I expect that number to climb quickly.