TÄLLBERG

 1st - 3rd Sept 2020

View over Lake Siljan

There were two train changes (on time) from Uppsala to Tällberg, at Gävle and Borlänge. Departure 9.00am and arrived Tällberg at 1.30pm. It was a pleasant enough journey through flat countryside with scenery of trees, and more trees, with the occasional lake. It is a about 200km north-west of Uppsala.

I was informed that the train stopped at the (unmanned) station in Tällberg, which it did, but was not aware that Tällberg is a 'village' spread out over a large area. There was a 2km walk, towing suitcase, from station to the so-called centre where I had booked in at the Åkerblads Hotel. Good excercise I suppose.

Left: The Lake Siljan region. Tällberg east end, Mora at the north end. The lake is about 40km long (I will try to stick to 'km' rather than 'miles' 'cos that is the data I was given). This is in the 'county' of Dalarna. An interesting area within a large surrounding 'rim' with the lake at its centre, caused by a 52km diameter meteor impact, the largest in Europe, 377 million years ago. Bet that shook up a few nesting dinosaurs.

The Åkerblads is a lovely hotel. Right: My bedroom which had a sitting-room attached. Are you interested? Anyway it was very comfortable and not unfeasably expensive, even though more than I would normally have paid.

Left: It had a spa with swimming pool of which I made no use, plus a Pool table on which I had a little practice.

Right: Plus a very smart restaurant, both inside and outside. That was seriously expensive. I lived on the supplies I had bought in a supermarket in Uppsala! Mean as muck, and I am not a 'foody'. Picnic supper in sitting-room.

PS. I have a greedy and economic habit of nicking stuff from the buffet breakfast (price included) and stashing it away for future use throughout the day. It does me fine.

The Tällberg area is obviously a countryside getaway for the well-heeled. It is a beautiful forested area with many holiday chalets spaced out over a large area near the lake. There are no groceries (OK, one supermarket near the railway station) or bars/pubs but several very upmarket hotels. The nearest Systembolaget oasis (ie affordable booze supply) is in Rätttvik, the neighbouring town. It is the sort of place for a romantic weekend with lots of lovely walks. The lakeside itself has boats and a 'glamping' area. It invites swimming, if you are prepared to freeze your bollocks off in the arctic temperature water which presumably the hardy Swedes enjoy, but I certainly don't.

Left: Boats on the lake.

One point of interest around this area was the total lack of birds, other than magpies. Not even seagulls etc. Lots of magpies but little else. Maybe the dreaded magpie is responsible for this as they eat eggs from nests. Rather a pity.

Right: A typical holiday home. They are all well spaced out for privacy and these two buildings are both part of one property. It was interesting to note that all the houses or chalets are painted the same red colour. This is historical and partly due to that meteorite which threw up a lot of minerals and ore; a lot of it consisting of stuff (copper and iron?) which they used to make red paint. The tradition has continued. Like the old Ford Model-T car, it came in any colour provided it was black.

Left: One of the swanky hotels, Green Hotel, which sits on some high ground overlooking the lake.

Right: I dropped in here for a refreshing beer. Great views over the lake.

Left: The female staff in all the hotels wore this rather attractive style of national dress (in different colours). They were all so cheerful, charming, helpful and polite. I found it most impressive. 

Right: The Dala Horse (Dalahäst). I was just about to discover them. They are ubiquitous in this part of the world. They originated centuries ago, from this area, with the pastime of carving wood and the horse was considered a natural subject. They are now considered as a favourite souvenir of Sweden. More about them to follow.

My short visit to Tällberg was a pleasant diversion but, for a solo traveller, not exactly inspiring and, apart from wandering around admiring the views, not a lot to do. It caters for those who wish to 'get away from it all' and enjoy a relaxing time in tranquil, pleasant and picturesque surroundings. Not exactly, indeed almost the exact opposite, from the debauched Pat Pong or Pattaya settings in Thailand!

On tomorrow by train around the lake to Mora, the most notable town in the area. Must remember to swipe a good supply of rations from the excellent breakfast buffet.