Day Eight - Hässleholm to Ystad

Saying goodbye to Allison until next month, after the amazing week we had together, was heart-wrenching. She is the best partner, and traveling with her is one of the most fulfilling things in my life. We had a nice long breakfast together, packed up, went to the train station, and then she was off to the platform. I walked away with tears steaming down my face. My bike was back at the hotel. I grabbed it, rode back to the train station and waved goodbye to her again as she stood on the platform 100 meters away. Damn. It was SO hard. Harder than I ever thought it would be.

I put my head down, and pushed off for Ystad at a hard pace, grieving.

After about an hour I saw these standing stones on the right side of the road.

They were placed here in ancient times in the form of ships, and the dead were buried here, with glass symbols for each of them. Over the centuries they were damaged and removed from the process of clearing fields with dynamite. These were the ones left standing. I stood there and looked at them, processing all the emotions flowing through my mind and body. There are just no words.

The wind was a bastard today. The kind of wind that bends grass straight over, and sneaks up on you unannounced. These stalks of grass were smacking my ti dangle mug making a monotone “ting” sound every time. I kind of liked it.

The ride was mostly about getting to Ystad, and processing my feelings. Just getting in the rhythm for this next massive section of the Baltik Royale. When a train interrupted my flow, it was time to just be in the moment with it, and document its energy and movement.

Many miles were spent slogging through the wind, in my head, and in my body, feeling all the feels from the ride and the past week. Delightful moments of respite happened on some gorgeous paths and small roads.

Growing up with a wood stove gave me an appreciation for prepared wood that is harvested from the forest. I’ve seen a lot of that in Sweden in the past week. It makes a nice backdrop for bike shots, so when I saw one today, I decided to take a 2024 edition of “bike in front of log pile” photo. Here it is!

I wish I would have shot it with my 16mm instead of the 35mm lens. It would have made the spires sticking out more dramatic. In any case, I do like the photo. Maybe I will find some more log piles on this trip.

Later in the day I saw a unique Dutch style windmill on the road and stopped. It was breathtaking. I went inside and photographed it. This technology was used to grind wheat into flour, and they were selling flour inside of this windmill!

At this point I was on the outskirts of Ystad, pressing my way into town. I finally rode into the port area, which was pretty bleak. This is a line to Poland (Polen).

The wind picked up, and I stood in line for roughly an hour on the sea to board the boat. There was a huge pack of Polish motorcyclists I was hanging with. It has been 16 years since I’ve been to Poland, and the language skills are getting a real test. Eventually we boarded and now I’m off to Poland!