In September Instagram suddenly started behaving like in the good old days. My pictures received compliments! It was a temporary comeback, but it felt great while it lasted. There is no mystery behind this: I just posted some autumn colours from Härjedalen, and most of my followers like mountains.
My books from Härjedalen were more popular than my books from the Riviera at the Book Fair this year. I was only signing them for two hours, so it might be a coincidence. Usually my books from France sell much more, especially the new travel guide.
Being back at the Book Fair was good fun. I spent it with a camera in hand and a press pass around my neck, walking around and talking to people. I also added a few things to my to-do list, including a new book.
The Book Fair has many similarities to the politics week in Almedalen, I realised the day after, when I was in a meeting discussing different plans for Almedalen. It is the same kind of setting: a couple of intensive days where collaboration is key. You need to go there with a couple of things on your agenda, but also be open to going with the flow in order to make new connections.
Speaking of going with the flow, on my way north I took a tiny detour to visit a mine, where I met a friendly guide who convinced me to visit one of the World Heritage Farms. In Hälsingland, there has never been a landed gentry. Farmers owned their land, and some got rich enough to hire painters to decorate their farmhouses. I’ve visited one of these before, but this time I went to the one that is further away. As I got closer, the vegetation changed and I was thinking, “No one could make a fortune from farming here.” Turns out I was right. Bog iron and muskets were the answer — an older version of local resilience, and a nice connection to the debate article I wrote about Gripen potentially flying on Swedish-produced fuel, which was finally published in September.
P.S. Champagne count for September: one. In connection with the Book Fair. 🥂
The pic from the Book Fair is taken by Susanne Hultman.
Science communicator and project manager based in Sweden, working internationally. Montly recaps in English.
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