A LUXURIOUS WEEKEND IN NATURE Text: Anna Kernell / Photo: Nordisk – Tom Novak
It's time to rethink the weekend getaway. Forget crowded subways and wandering the streets to find trendy restaurants; instead, get out into nature and relax – for real. Do you need a change of scene this summer? Do you want to go on an adventure but still take some creature comforts with you? Camping doesn't have to be a test of endurance – find a scenic basecamp and take day trips on foot, by bike or by kayak. This way, you don't have to lug around heavy backpacks and equipment all day long and can enjoy a bit of luxury. Imagine coming 'home' to a cold beer and a comfortable chair, with atmospheric lighting and relaxing music. When it's time for sleep, a comfortable bed awaits – maybe that's a sturdy camp-bed, a deluxe air mattress or a pleasantly-swaying hammock. Does that sound good to you? Then let's look at how to set up a successful camp!
Location, location, location
Of course, which location is best depends on whether you plan to set up tents, sleep in a hammock or out in the open under the starry sky. You'll then want flat ground, free from rocks and roots, or in the case of a hammock, wellpositioned trees. No matter where you choose to sleep, make sure you have a stream close by for freshwater. If you spend the night near a lake, it's wise to set up camp a few metres back from the water where the air's slightly warmer. Study the sun: when it rises and sets. If you set up your tent in a place that catches the morning sun, you'll be sure to wake up in a polyester sauna. And what about the wind? A little wind can be good to keep mosquitoes and gnats away, but if the spot is too exposed, you might get too cold
Everyone's right
and need to look for shelter. Being able to gather around a campfire when darkness falls is lovely, but then you need to make sure there's a safe place to build a fire. And for God's sake, remember to avoid anthills!
First-class food
If you bring dried or canned foodstuffs, you won't need to worry about keeping them cool. Besides, you can easily rustle up a delicious feast from dried meat, dried fruit, crisps, nuts, oatmeal, rice, pasta, and some canned food. However, there are few tricks for keeping perishable food and liquids cold: either make it easy for yourself and invest in a good cool box that can keep stuff cold for several days, or put it in a dry bag, seal it tightly and lower it into the nearest lake or stream.
A deliciously cold beverage
It doesn't get much better than rounding off an exciting day of adventure with a refreshing cold drink. A classic method for keeping your beverages cool is to let a lake or stream do the hard work. But in the height of summer, lakes can be too warm or shallow to offer sufficient cooling. Instead, wrap the beer or soda can in a wet piece of cloth (towel, t-shirt or anything else you have to hand) and put it in a windy place in the shade to dry. The water evaporates in the wind, drawing the heat from the drink and cooling it down.
’Thanks to Sweden’s freedom to roam laws, you can spend the night on someone else’s land if you only have a couple of tents and stay a night or two. Just make sure not to pitch tents near residential buildings, lot boundaries or arable land. If you intend to stay several nights or are part of a larger group, you’ll need to ask the landowner for permission, as the risk of land damage and sanitary nuisances is greater. In some areas, such as national parks and nature reserves, special rules apply. Find out what’s allowed before you visit a new place.
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