Moments like these

As the first hints of dawn stretched across the horizon, We gently pushed open the back doors of the camper van. The world outside was awash with the soft, warm glow of the rising sun, piercing through a delicate veil of mist.

Skillinge, 2023

Small birds flitted about, chirps and songs serving as a serene morning chorus. Boats lazily drifted on the glistening water, suggesting the promise of a day filled with adventure.

Skillinge, 2023

A deep breath, the gentle ocean breeze carrying with it the coolness of the night and the warmth of the day ahead. It is moments like these that make every journey worthwhile.

I want charging points in beautiful places!

We have just returned after more than 3,100 km through Europe with our Tesla Model Y LR. Since we got it in April we have driven just over 10,000 km. Of those there are many short trips around our home, 15 to 40 km. We can charge the car in our garage even though JM undersized the charging stations. When I asked why charging is limited to 3.3 kW, an employee at JM told me, "It allows for normal charging, for example, that after 12 hours of charging you can drive about 200 km with a regular electric car. And that this is the standard to be installed in new buildings." It's like the story of the older man who didn't think gas was getting expensive; he was still filling up for 10 euros. Time to upgrade the standard JM! Consider load sharing and differentiated tariffs if you only can solve reasonable capacity for some.

Tesla Model Y LR at a Tesla Supercharger

Ok, enough about JM and their lack of insight. In addition to these short trips to and from work, the store and the children's activities, there have been some longer trips. A couple of trips to Gothenburg and the surrounding area, Hamburg and most recently, Lake Garda. So I have some experience with our Tesla and before that we had an AUDI e-tron 55 for three years that we managed to drive over 80,000 km with. With it, I have great experience in driving on electricity. If you count the AUDI, we have gone to the mountains on skiing holidays, summer holidays on small roads in Sweden, and many kilometers along Swedish and foreign highways.

A few weeks after we picked up our AUDI, we went on a summer trip through Sweden. It was 5,000 km on highways and major roads to the center of Sweden and back on minor roads past the Swedish mountains. Initially, there was some range anxiety with a heavily loaded car and plenty of rain. Still, it declined significantly at the second charging stop north of Gothenburg. In 2020, there were not many chargers with a capacity over 50 kW along the E45 up to Karlstad and then to Laxsjö 100 km north of Östersund. A distance of almost 900 km. In a fully loaded car with a roof box, 2 adults, three children of 11, 13 and 16 years, a Dobermann, it worked fine with planning, a flexible mind and no stress, and a Trangia storm kitchen. The rest of our 4,000 km worked just as well; after that, one was a convinced electric car owner. Of course, there were times when we had to be creative, using Google and the community to get a car charger going or our Thermacell to scare away some mosquitoes on a mountain hike. But all in all, it was not the electric car, range anxiety or charging queues that became our lasting memories, but completely different things, fun things.

AUDI e-tron 55 2020

Tesla Model Y LR 2023

Fast-forward to the summer of 2023 and back home after a trip through Germany, Salzburg in Austria, on to Torri del Benaco on Lake Garda, over the Alps and the autobahn up to Hamburg to come home to Lomma via Denmark with 10% left in the battery. How does it feel then? Even a little better actually. The same keys to success, planning and no stress. 3,100 km where the availability of charging points was far more than we could ever need. We could choose between Tesla's Supercharger, IONITY and other local options at several stops. We could choose based on availability, service or price without compromising on time. Both in Austria and Italy we made some day trips. Visiting small villages by beautiful lakes, vineyards in Valpolicella and winding mountain roads from the past around Lake Garda. Even then, plenty of kilowatt hours to get and no charging queues.

What about AUDI compared to Tesla? They are good at different things, as they usually are when comparing cars. The apparent pluses for the Audi are:

AUDI e-tron 55 2020

• Suspension comfort.

• The parking system.

• Adaptive cruise control.

• Charging speed.

• Self-steering.

• Climate control.

Tesla Model Y LR 2023

“Please note that the thoughts and experiences shared here are personal and do not represent scientific truths. Your own thoughts and feelings may differ, and what applies to me may not necessarily apply to you.”

— Me

Tesla clearly wins regarding interior space and load capacity, efficiency and range, one-pedal driving and the infotainment system. But there are some bad things, even lousy to be honest. The parking system is a joke. Relying on cameras alone was a big mistake. Not having accurate distance sensors and a 360-degree camera is not worthy of a modern car. Then the autopilot is like riding with someone practicing driving. It is less competent and trustworthy than the one in AUDI. Again, relying on the camera alone is a mistake; half a mosquito in front of the camera and you are left with two choices. Either drive with the windshield wipers on constantly under blue rainless skies or don't use the system. But what's really bad, and actually a traffic hazard, is that in one week across Europe the car managed to panic-brake in the middle of the autobahn more times than the AUDI did in three years. Sometimes because it was blinded by the sun, sometimes because reflections from the roadside worried it and sometimes just because, well, who knows!

The mobile app and communication with the car is a dream compared to AUDI, which has gone from completely rubbish and unusable to just bad in three years. 

Am I satisfied with the Tesla Model Y LR? Yes, it has some pluses against the AUDI. Compared to all other electric cars within a reasonable price range, it has a slight advantage in my book. Will I buy a new Tesla again in a few years? As it stands now, no!

Back to living with an electric car and especially on European vacation trips. Something that I have on my wish list. The vast majority of fast chargers are located along major roads, at truck stops and fast food chains, in dull areas along the autobahn or in locations outside the cities alongside hauliers and light industry.

I wish for urban parking garages full of charging spots and fast charging outside a vineyard in Valpolicella or at the lookout point where you can witness magical sunsets. I want a charger at the best ice cream parlor in Skåne and the start of the mountain trail in Dalarna. I want charging points in beautiful places where you want to be, where you can eat something other than Big Mac number 19 in 7 days. Is that too much to ask for?

Nothing of this is a big deal compared to what is happening around us. It's no problem at all!

Be safe!

Let the beat take you away

During our trip back home from Austria and Lake Garda, we took some time to explore the lively city of Hamburg. And we learned that the Hamburg Hauptbahnhof clock serves as the city's heartbeat. Sometimes, it's best to go with the flow and let the beat take you away.

Our journey covered a distance of more than 3,100 km before we finally arrived back in Lomma and parked our car. A fair amount of kilometers through Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, and Italy with several charging stops. We didn't encounter any issues or long charging queues besides one. When you drive through the Brenner Pass and cross the border into Italy, you find a shopping center with a garage that has 6 Ionity chargers. Here we had to wait for a few minutes. It was the only time we faced a delay.

One helpful suggestion is to plan ahead by utilizing both your car's navigation system and a tool such as ABRP (https://abetterrouteplanner.com/). This will use the car's navigation system to optimize the battery for the quickest possible charge when you arrive at a charging station. ABRP, on the other hand, will provide information on the availability of chargers, how many are currently free, and if any are out of order. Additionally, it includes information on nearby services or amenities. Choose wisely.

But above all, enjoy the journey and avoid trying to beat the clock! Just go with the flow and you will be fine.

A Breathtaking Adventure: Driving Strada della Forra Road

Discover a unique world that perfectly combines nature and creativity on the captivating Strada della Forra Road in Italy. This hidden gem, also known as the "Road of the Gorge," stretches between Tremosine and Pieve and was carved into the Lombardy cliffs during the early 20th century. Despite its stunning beauty, it has yet to be overrun by mass tourism, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a less crowded travel experience.

During our road trip, we were left amazed by the breathtaking views of Lake Garda visible from the winding road. Strada della Forra Road is a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Although the drive may be challenging, the experience is well worth it, as it offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and incredible engineering. Immerse yourself in the hidden gems and unforgettable adventures that Strada della Forra Road and Italy's landscapes have to offer.

https://www.tremosinesulgarda.it/en/tremosine-and-its-secrets/strada-della-forra-road

Road trip 2023 - Valpolicella

Yesterday we visited Brunelli Winery and Damoli Vini and had an absolutely amazing time. The staff were very knowledgeable and helped us select the perfect wines, including the delicious Ripasso and Amarone. We were lucky enough to have Laura at Damoli Vine give us a tour and guide us through a wine tasting, and she was an expert at it. We ended up leaving with some incredible wines and memories that will last a lifetime. I highly recommend these wineries to anyone looking for a great wine journey.

Road trip 2023 - Torri del Benaco

Staying at Residence Ca' Del Lago in the picturesque town of Torri del Benaco. We knew we were in for a delightful experience when we arrived, even if it was almost 40 degrees at five o'clock. ⁠
The location of Residence Ca' Del Lago is truly remarkable. Nestled on the shores of Lake Garda, the views are absolutely stunning. We were greeted by a tranquil atmosphere, surrounded by lush greenery and the calming sound of the lake gently lapping against the shore.⁠
The accommodations at Residence Ca' Del Lago are impeccable. The rooms are spacious, tastefully decorated, and equipped with all the necessary amenities. We especially appreciate our private balcony overlooking the lake. This will be the perfect way to start each day.

Still summer

It will rain for a couple of days now, but we are promised sunshine by the end of the week again. Summer is not over yet! 😃 But eventually, we will look back on some warm memories and start planning next year's vacation.

As a photographer, I have increasingly begun to appreciate all seasons and weather. It is when there is some life in the picture that it becomes the most exciting. If I have to choose a few times of the year that I appreciate the most when it comes to photography, it is the start of spring when life returns and autumn, just before the storm comes and undress all the trees.

Another exciting thing with the autumn this year is that I am exhibiting at the city library in Lund for the second time. The work is now in full swing to select images that both fit and reinforce the exhibition's theme. You will see what the theme is on the first of October when the exhibition opens. Welcome!

I will open the new store on the website shortly for those interested in buying photos or other photo services. So keep and eye out for that an other news I will add soon.

Enjoy the rest of the summer and I see you over a cup of coffee at the city library in October!

My tree

It was a long time since I photographed at home, but yesterday the sky was magical, so "My" tree had to be a model. I have shot this tree many times in all seasons of the year. Yesterday it was a good quick stop on the way when I was out on an errand. But there was time for some pictures with a long and short lens and some flybys with a drone. A peaceful moment in everyday life!

Canon EOS R5
RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM
1/5 sec @ f / 14, ISO 100
135 mm

Canon EOS R5
RF15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM
1/40 sec @ f / 14, ISO 100
35 mm

DJI Mavic Air 2
1/100 sec @ f / 2.8, ISO 100
4.5 mm (24 mm)

Tosteberga Harbour

One thing I have been looking forward to with our motorhome is to be able to go to a place the night before trying to capture a good picture at sunrise. To be able to find a place and not have to set the clock at 03:00 to arrive on time.

So this week, the trip went to Tosteberga Harbor. I found the place via an app for motorhome parking spaces. And when I looked at satellite images and other people's images from the site, it looked like it could be perfect. Now it did not become entirely optimal because the place I had intended to photograph from was not possible to reach without walking with cows. It can not be done simply with Exor, probably the farmer would not have been particularly amused by it.

I got the best place in the harbor, in my opinion, closest to the sea and no car next to me on the side towards sunrise. It made it easy to quickly check at 5 in the morning to see if the sky had potential, and it did.

Because the place I want to go to was not possible to reach, I only walked about twenty meters out on the pier. It feels a little strange that in Sweden, just after 5, to be able to stand in short sleeves in balmy winds and take photos.

The pictures may not have been magical, but the experience was a highlight. Even though I like to hike, it has its charm to basically just roll out of bed and take my landscape photos. Then, when the sun has climbed a bit in the sky, walk a few meters to a motorhome and make your own coffee at 6 o'clock in the morning.

Tripod and low ISO?

To succeed with landscape photos, in addition to a camera, you need a tripod. Generally, shooting at low ISO speeds to reduce noise in the images is also a good thumb rule.

It's definitely true when you make several different exposures to then join together when you get home. Sometimes the scene is too wide when it comes to light. The camera's dynamic range is not enough, so multiple exposures are a must to capture the image you experience with your own eyes. Sometimes you want to create a sharp image throughout the whole picture and need to focus the camera at different distances, from very close to infinity, and then create a sharp image in Photoshop by creating one image of many. Often I shoot when the light is not enough to take pictures handheld and also avoid blur due to that I am moving the camera a bit.

Straw at the beach, 2020

But it brings a lot of disadvantages as well. Apart from the fact that you have to carry the tripod and its extra weight with you, you do not become agile in your photography. You may miss a picture because you do not have time to set up the tripod or do not get the space you need.

This weekend we drove our motorhome on a trip. We stayed one night at a marina and one at a sandy beach. The weather was fantastic, and even though the sky was not so dramatic, the sunsets were magical. This was an excellent opportunity to test the camera's performance when it comes to built-in stabilization in conjunction with lens stabilization. Also, some pictures with high ISO numbers to see how the camera handles noise. I tried it after the sun went down, and I am delighted with the results. I definitely think those images can be used.

What do you think?

Emil, Summer 2020

Shutter speeds ranged from 1/400 down to 1/50 and ISO from 100 all the way up to 10,000. It should be said that it was basically no wind.

Maiden trip

There is a lot to learn, and it will take some time before we have the routines in place. But I think our premiere weekend with the motorhome has gone very well.

This weekend has also been a fantastic summer, almost too warm. But when we found a place by the sea where the breeze cooled nicely, it was only enjoyable. To find locations can be a bit tricky but are the whole purpose of a motorhome, I think. If you are looking for a site. Preferably with facilities such as electricity, emptying tanks, and refilling water, it is extra difficult when the summer is still rolling on at full steam. So Lundåkrahamnen was packed so dinner was by the road close to Järavallen. Tacos with at stunning sunset.

I had a backup idea to park at the beach car park in Lomma. Not the most charming place, but we would only sleep a short night and then drive home to Lund to leave Lukas. Worked fine, and while we finished breakfast, the bathing bastards started rolling into the parking lot. Shortly after that, we turned towards Vallkärra.

At home, we filled the water tank and then cruised up to Svanshall guest harbor, which I heard a lot about. There are only 5-6 places there, so when we arrived at lunch, it was full. We managed to squeeze in to an extra place, just to cook lunch and swim in the harbor for a few hours.

With food in the stomach, the energy could be used to find a good place for the night. I had read about Persköps Ställplats outside Örkelljunga. They have a live updated site with status regarding occupied and vacancies. When we drove, there were two places available, but when we arrived, both were already taken.

We were met by the same information in a friendly way by one of the people who run the place, but we were offered a special extra place they had. Without electricity and 100 meters from the service station. Lush and beautiful located by the lake. Could not get better in our eyes. The children played in the lake before we had a barbecue, drank some great wine, and rounded off the evening with a Gin and Tonic over a game of Yatzy on our mobile patio. 3 - 0 to me by the way!

On Sunday, we took a long and easy morning. Anna and the children swam in the lake after breakfast and I editied some images. Then we drove on speculation down to Svanshall again. This time there was a place for us. We got the first parquet with the sea as our view with a lovely breeze. To lie down on the bed after lunch. To take a short afternoon nap, it is so nice to have the bed with you. That is a big part of driving around with a motor home.

New chapter

Today we will go on Road Trip - Sweden 2020 Second Edition. With those hot summer days again, it suits us perfectly with a trip to the coast.

It was in 2012 that we rented a motorhome for the first time, and the whole family fell in love with the concept of traveling around with our own house. Last year we did it again. We rented a motorhome and drove up the west coast, over the Hardangervidda and on to Bergen.

This tour was also fantastic. We were lucky with the weather, and the experiences of the Norwegian landscape are always magical. However, we felt that, with older children and a large dog, we would want a slightly larger car to enjoy the experience to the fullest. You who have tried to rent a larger motorhome where you also get to bring your four-legged friend know how difficult it can be.

This year we have been on the Road Trip again, as every year, in our car. And during the trip, the longing to have the house with us has grown stronger. So after some searching to find a reasonably large vehicle with the right layout, we ran into one a couple of hours from where we live.

For us, some things were extra important. The car needed to have four beds without having to give up the dining area. Possibility to convert the diner to additional sleeping places if needed. We are five in our family, so even though the oldest may not join us every time, there must be room for everyone. Therefore, we also needed five belted seats.

In addition to this, we wanted a large kitchen with a large fridge. A bathroom where you can be several people at the same time. And also a big floor space where Exor can hang when we are camping.

Getting all the wishes are, of course, challenging, but we think we succeeded quite well. Our car, a Frankia 840 FD from 2018, has everything we want. We think! Now we are going to live in it and write a new chapter on our vacation trips. Even though we've tried it a little bit before.

Cold Brew - Dalecarlia Ice Coffee 2020

I think an excellent Cold Brew is the prerequisite for a good Ice Coffee. And a delicious Ice Coffee is the best thirst quencher there is. This weekend the temperatures will rise to 30 degrees, so why not put a Cold Brew in the fridge today?

My blend for Cold Brew has a round and sweet tone. Elements of caramel, plum, dried tomato, cocoa, vanilla, and nougat.

When I brew my coffee cold, I use a French Press coffee maker. Therefore, I have a mold grade that is adapted for these coffee makers. My can contain about half a liter of water, and for that, I use about 150-200 grams of coffee.

Pour the coffee into the maker, add water, and stir. I usually push the handle halfway down and then put it in the fridge for 20 hours.

After the brew is finished, I press the handle all the way down and pour the coffee into a bottle. This is then my concentrate that I dilute 50/50 when it's time to have a glass of iced coffee.

Fill a glass with ice, fill half the glass with your brewed coffee, and top it up with cold water. Enjoy!

Rörsjöstugorna, Fulufjäll 2020

This Sunday evening, we arrived at Naturrum Fulufjjäll to take on all the packing and hike up to Rörsjöarna and Rörsjöstugorna. The hike is somewhat strenuous with rocks and a stretch with a fairly steep climb. It's not far so most people can do the hike, I would guess.

Rörsjöarna, July 13th 2020

Once there, everyone except Exor and me got to stay in one of the cabins. They are beautifully situated between the two Rörsjöarna, and we were lucky with the weather days two and three. When we walked there, however, it was wet.

The cottage landlord is nice and competent and happy to share stories and tips. Also, he has a small shop with the most important things.

Exor and I lived in our tent because I did not book a cabin where you could take the dog with you. But we enjoyed it as always. Now we have tested our Hilleberg Kaitum 3GT in many places. It works beyond expectations and is reasonably in weight.

At Fulufjäll, you can have fun visiting Sweden's highest waterfall, fishing, renting a boat, or just hike in a fantastic environment. Down by Naturrum Fulufjället, on the other hand, there is chaos and a lot of people!

So I think you should arrive early or late as we did if you want to find a parking space. According to our cottage host, 90% of the visitors stay down around Naturrum and make short trips to the lower part of the waterfall. I recommend you hike up the mountain. Stay overnight in one of the cabins and experience more of what the mountains have to offer.

I still do not notice much difference in that we drive a pure electric car this year. We may be planning our stops in a slightly different way. But with five in the family and one dog, we need our breaks, and taking them at about 3-hour intervals is perfect. Now we have also driven on smaller inland roads where large players such as Ionity may not focus in the first place. But there are both charging spots with free power, and Bee has many opportunities to charge along the roads. So no problem!

Summer Road Trip, 2020 edition

Coffee in the garden, planning Summer Road Trip, 2020 edition. First vacation trip with our electric vehicle. In this Corona age, instead of driving down to Croatia for the first time with several stops through Europe, we will drive from Lund to Jämtland via Värmland. And on the way back, the tour goes via Dalarna, Södermanland, and Öland.

There are a few alternative routes, but my main alternative is a trip of 2874 km. The tool I use is ABRP (abetterroutplanner.com), with test data, I have been able to collect during the weeks that have had the car.

Based on ABRP's reference consumption of 250 WH/KM @ 110 KM/H, we need 13 planned charging stops, a total charging time of 5 hours, and 45 minutes along our entire trip. I am usually not that high on consumption, more reasonably would have been around 220 WH/KM on the roads we will drive on. Almost no freeways, but regular highways, 70, 80, and 100 KM/H are what we do for the most parts.

Now we will drive with a roof box and fully loaded car. The tests I have done here at home give an average consumption of about 280-290 WH/KM. Taking into account some headwinds, rain and somewhat cooler temperatures, I based the guestimates on 300 WH/KM with a 20% margin in the battery when I reach the charging stations.

On at least three stops during the trip, we will be able to destination charge to 100%. Overall, it will give this theory…

Reference consumption: 300 WH/KM @ 110 KM/H
Total length: 2 878 KM
Driving time: 34 hours 57 minutes
Charging stops: 14
Charging time: 6 hours 37 minutes

Fossil car (maps.google.se): 35 hours without breaks.

It will be exciting to see how well the outcome will coincide with my guesses. Anything can happen on a road trip like this, and it usually does. Everything from a broken charger, nasty weather, or why not a detour to a great place you hadn't thought of from the beginning. Perhaps that site will be Road Trip 2020's most extraordinary stop, among many other beautiful memories.

And not least, will I sell my electric car this fall?

Capturing cars is the hardest thing!

Many years ago, another photographer told me that she liked my style. You would think I took it as a nice compliment. But I felt the opposite; I don't want a style. I want to continue exploring this area, continue to develop as a photographer, and I do this best by exposing myself to challenges. Test different genres and styles, let me be inspired by all the amazingly talented creators out there.

My photography has mainly moved around landscapes in different forms, magnificent views, and intimate details. But I have also photographed sports, people, macro, animals, architecture, street and everything else in between. But the hardest thing I know is to photograph cars and have their lines and expressions felt through one image. Almost everything else is relatively easy when you get a grip on it, not because all my pictures are fantastic or even useful, but still. Car photography is a whole other thing!

I think the problem is that there are so many things that you have to take into account, so many lines, so many details, so many separate parts in the same subject. At the same time, for me, it should be more of a documentary touch. My creative freedom and to describe more of the feeling I had there and then is somewhat limited. Although, of course, I know many photographers who are fully creative with their car pictures. They have my biggest respect! When it comes to creativity, I am incredibly non-judgmental.

So when I got a new car now, I thought it was an excellent opportunity to practice. I wanted to capture the vehicle in different environments, combined with what I often photograph, landscape, and sunset. But I also wanted to test some techniques I caught on the net. Among other things, to photograph details separately and merge them into one in Photoshop. For example, it is difficult to expose the car and its powerful headlights to be good directly in the camera, so there should be at least two pictures.
Another thing is to light paint the car with a flashlight. I can already say that it failed utterly. I have to practice more on that.

Overall, I am satisfied with these beginner images, and the desire to continue training in this genre has grown. Maybe next time I drive off on a hiking trip. Then perhaps I can catch several things in the same composition, stuff I like—landscape, family, hike feeling with my tent and coffee pan. And Exor, our Dobermann, of course!

Have a great day, take advantage of it to learn new things, and see opportunities! :)

A two day expedition

It is always tricky with timing, and the other day it was too hot for us to go on a hike during the day as I planned. So we drove up to the mire in the afternoon. We started the hike on this two-day tour at six in the evening. The plan was to take the second walk early in the morning on day two.

Store Mosse National Park is located in Småland and is the most vast, largely untouched, raised bog in Sweden, south of Lapland. Most of the Store Mosse consists of Sphagnum moss, but there are also pine forests as well as fens and in certain parts spruce forests.

Lövö, Jun 17th 2020

Already when I put up the tent, I noticed that it was going to be a night with many gnats—expected, of course, in this type of terrain. But it turned out that we couldn't stay outside the tent at all. There was so much you could hear them on the canvas like a light rain. Quite crazy, and then I am from Dalarna and have visited Jämtland regularly during the summers for almost 20 years.

It turned out not to be fewer of them on the morning of day two, I have never taken down, and packed up a tent inclusive all other packings so fast. Exor was not very fond of these little beasts either. So plans are there to be changed—a short walk to the car and then of to another national park, Åsnen.

Lemmelkaffe, Jun 18th 2020

Åsnen, located in the municipality of Alvesta and Tingsryd, adjacent to the city of Växjö. Seventy-five percent of the surface consists of water. So instead of marsh and bog, we got old beech woods and a lake archipelago.

Åsnen National Park

Old beech woods and a lake archipelago.

Further on our trip, we made a stop at the car cemetery in Ryd, which I think has seen it's best days. I think it has become too much of just rusty sheet metal and a little too little car. But, if you pass here, stretch your legs and take a look.

The car cemetery, Jun 18th 2020

Both the Store Mosse and the Åsnen will be visited many times. I can promise you that.

Exor, Jun 18th 2020