Onto the main event, meeting our friends Patrik and Johanna in Vaxjo. Mark has known Patrik for 20 years and has been promising to visit for all that time, well we finally made it. In hindsight we should have visited much sooner as we had a truly amazing time! Patrik and Johanna are the most welcoming, generous, talented and fun hosts. If you are reading this (which I am sure you are), many, many thanks Patrik and Johanna.
We explored Vaxjo, visited their beautiful home for a delicious meal and went to an ice hockey match. Sweden is the current world champion ice hockey team and the sport is very popular here. The ice hockey was very exciting and the atmosphere full of energy. Add to this VIP seats in the restaurant overlooking the game, their great company and you have a fabulous day out! Also enjoyed a couple of 'bed pushers' (one for the road drinks) back at their house whilst listening to fantastic songs recorded individually by Johanna, her daughter, Patrik and Patrik's brother (who had a number 1 hit in Sweden) before a wobbly cycle ride back to our campsite! As if all that wasn't great enough Patrik arranged for the sun to shine for our onward journey to Kalmar!! Yes, it's true, day 20 of our trip is the first time we have properly seen the sun!! Lets hope it sticks around for a bit!
