Swaledale Outdoor Club

> Home > Newsletter > Canoeing > Abba Mania

Abba Mania

Sea Canoeing, Sweden, August 23rd - September 2nd 2002.

After a Tyne Tunnel jam and an accidental short diversion threatened the reunion of the band of four, the 30-hour crossing to Gothenburg was embarked upon with the addition of a new prot‚g‚. Five set out on a groundbreaking tour. Benny Proud and Bjorn Wormald were spotted in the crowd, enjoying bingo and a beer. The paparazzi zoomed in on Agnetha West, Frieda Adams and Anna-Frieda Garrod in the sauna, sipping tea and sunbathing. That evening the Dancing Queen was keen, but the old timers drifted off for beauty sleep. The group's dramatic arrival in Scandinavia was accompanied by dazzling sunshine, followed quickly by an earth-trembling thunderstorm. Was this to set the tone of the forthcoming week?

The launch the next morning was at Nordon Marina, a popular yachting area about an hour's drive from the city. Bright sunshine and a calm sea, saw each star clad in revealing outfits, moving up the west coast of the island of Tjorn like a Super Trouper. Highlights of the day included near swamping by speeding Coast Guards, a sandy beach amongst the rocky terrain, the first dead seal, the first of many swims in the delightfully warm sea and sparkling luminescence to entertain in the evening. (23km)

Day two of the tour dawned to reveal glorious sunshine and crystal-clear waters, as the newcomer could be heard singing 'I Have a Dream (of Sea Canoeing Heaven)'. Navigating northwards through the rocky skerries and myriad of archipelagos of the seaward coast of Orust put the troop through their paces and a well-earned coffee, postcard and water replenishing break was taken in Mollosund. More stunning performances followed, gaining bigger in-roads than had been expected. Another dazzling day was rounded off bathing in a lagoon, climbing a hill to view a sky ablaze with sunset and friends around the fire - but that's The Name of the Game! (20km)

The third day was to have provided the northern high-point as the stunning spire of the cathedral came into view, but instead of 'Voulez Vous (Un Autre Cafe‚ Quand le Soleil Brille)' it was to be 'Mama Mia (It's Raining Cats and Dogs)' topping the bill at Lysekil. The close of the short Swedish summer season saw the seasoned performers caught short, sheltering on a pavilion, supping their own brews. The group's spirits were lifted that evening as a boat passed by the camp, blaring out the old favourite 'Dancing Queen' into the night air - a sure sign that a revival was on it's way. (23km)

Most members of the group woke on day four with the thought of Sending Out an SOS as a herd of cattle was heard stampeding down the wooded hillside, making a direct line for the water's edge. Luckily the sight of an early morning Benny belly, or was it a balding Bjorn, was enough to deflect the beast and all were safe - the show could go on and better weather had returned. Meandering eastwards through small gaps, passing under a low footbridge in shallow water and between islands, more tree-covered land was encountered as the group rounded the top of Orust. An idyllic camp was set up on a spit of land on the island of St. Hasselon, complete with fine swimming, enabling underwater exploration with goggles and ready-made fire spot. (23km)

On the fifth day, the southerly channel between Orust and the mainland provided our stars with some shelter from the now increasing westerly wind. Island hopping via the leeward sides gave fairly pleasant paddling in the sun. An old abandoned boat was explored and the quaint, preserved settlement of Stillingson discovered on a lunch stop. The tourers headed on for the bright lights of the town of Svanesund, found just enough grass to set up camp on and then dined out in style on pizza and beer, so not needing to worry about the Money, Money, Money. (23km)

Plans to possibly head west, back onto the outside of the islands were discussed on the beautiful, calm, sunny morning of day six. After paddling for ten minutes and coming round the southern, shelter-providing tip of the large island, reality hit in the form of a strong, blustery blast. The group decided to avoid the possibility of meeting their Waterloo on the seaward side and to return along the channel between Tjorn and the mainland. Hugging shorelines gave some relief from the building south-westerly and a gamble paid off - a thin, blue line crossing a road bridge on the map turned out to be a canoe-wide culvert at the back of Almosund, providing a convenient short-cut to the route south. More coast hugging and heads down paddling gained progress to Berga, where a well timed decision to cross the channel earlier than intended was made. The abundance of white caps (an estimated force five) led to crossing in a tight group. The others were prompted to ask of Agnetha, 'Does Your Mother Know what you get up to when you leave your husband behind with two small children?' However both sea and wind were warm, so it was really like been blown at by a giant hand-dryer. Final landing was made in a beautiful bay and all were happy. Bjorn and Agnetha had an evening swim. Benny started to gather firewood. Frieda walked up through the woods and saw a group of elk. Anna-Freida knew that her first tour with the old timers had been a success. (24km)

The glow of contentment was somewhat eroded during the night, as each group member awoke to hear a strengthening wind howling through the trees. Day seven dawned with a grey sky, choppy sea and wild wind (a strong force six to seven). Although on the mainland, this last day meant a good paddle was needed to reach the car, back at Nordon. All were packed up and on the water for 9.30am, a record early for the whole trip. The group set off with grim determination and gritted teeth, aiming to reach the nearest road and go for the 'hitch it' option from there. After 30 minutes of energetic paddling, 2/3rds of a km had been covered and a track was in sight. The less experienced Anna-Freida was beginning find the going tough, so made for the shore whilst the rest rounded the corner looking for a good spot to land in the waves. Once safely on dry land Benny and Bjorn tossed a shell, for The Winner Takes It All or gets to paddle Anna-Freida's boat around the last, buffeted corner. Boats and paddlers were reunited and the hitching plan executed successfully in the end, despite a couple of hiccups. (1km!)

It was an excellent, well-planned trip in a different location (supposed to be summer-time return to Croatia). A return to Sweden has already been discussed for next year, just of course to say Thank You For The Music!

Abbamaniacs Anonymous

Last Modified: 7 May, 2003