I will walk 6000 km

Ulf S. Sighede from Ängelholm in the south of Sweden. The Walk is for me a modern form of pilgrimage and a time for contemplation. Periculum in mora

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Mitt anteckningsblock

Ulf tar en promenad - till Spanien - Nyheter - Kvällsposten
Apostlahästarna trimmas. Ulf Sieghede laddar för sin långa vandring tillsammans med hunden Adde. Hunden stannar dock hemma den här gången. Foto: Martin Lindeborg/HD

Ulf tar en promenad - till Spanien

Ulf Sighede från Ängelholm ska kommande vecka ge sig ut på en riktig långpromenad. Men Ulf nöjer sig inte med Skåneleden. Han tänker vandra hela vägen ner till södra Spanien.
- Jag tycker om att gå lite längre än vanligt, säger han.
I ett tidigare liv var Ulf Sighede, 54, en framgångsrik säljare. Men så kom en dag då han behövde tänka igenom sitt liv.
– Och jag är en sån som behöver tänka längre än de flesta. Där kommer långpromenaden in i bilden.

Även ett miljöprojekt

Men hans vandring genom Europa har också mer konkreta mål och projekt. Ulf vill väcka uppmärksamhet genom att få fler att tänka på miljön. Men han tänker också extraknäcka som brevbärare.
– Jag är involverad i ett välgörenhetsprojekt som innebär att jag delar ut post från Sverige till utvalda längs vägen.

– Förhoppningsvis ska det bli en postutdelning som mottagaren aldrig glömmer.

Lübeck, Paris och Pamplona är några städer som Ulf Sighede tänker besöka längs vägen innan han når slutmålet Santiago de Compostela.

Lund viktigast!

Men framför allt är det ett smultronställe som Ulf inte vill missa.
– Första prioritet är att besöka Lund innan jag lämnar landet.
I veckan bär det av trots oundvikliga skavanker som blåsor och smärta i knä och leder.
– I oktober hoppas jag vara över Pyrenéerna. Sen är det inte långt kvar.

Av Tobias Karlsson
tobias.karlsson@kvp.se



Östersundsposten

ÖP - Östersunds-Postens nättidning - OP.se
Ulf tar vägen över Jämtland på sin pilgrimsresa till Spanien
GÄLLÖ.
Ulf Sighede är en uppkopplad pilgrim med GPS-navigator som ska gå 600 mil på tio månader. - Att vandra och vara ute i naturen är så nära en helgedom man kan komma, säger han.

Läsarkommentarer
Han har övernattat i tält en bit in i skogen strax
före OK-macken i Gällö. Han ska ta vägen över Revsund och vidare till Pilgrimstad och kanske Brunflo under dagen.
Det har regnat under natten och Ulf Sighede och hans hund Add har värmt varandra i sovsäcken i blötan.
- Vi vaknade i en pöl. Det är kallt och blött, men jag njuter ändå, säger han.
När han kommer till Östersund har han och Add gått 150 mil från hemstaden Ängelholm i Skåne. Det är en fjärdedel av den tänkta sträckan.
Nidarosdomen och Olav den heliges gravkyrka i Trondheim är förstås ett mål i sig. Men han ska vidare söderut på sin vandring - ända till Santiago de Compostela i Spanien.
Han har både inre och yttre skäl till sin långa vandring.
- Den är ett sätt att finna ro och finna sig själv, säger Ulf Sighede.
Men han har också ett budskap till omvärlden.
- Vi måste vara mer aktsamma med naturen och
efterlämna den till kommande generationer som vi fått den.
Vandringen betyder eftertanke, men i hög grad möten med andra människor.
- Jag kan inspirera andra att fundera över vad vi gör med natur och miljö.
Ulf Sighede kallar sig kristen - men är inte predikant, betonar han. Fast han har många som lyssnar.
I den 25 kilo tunga ryggsäcken har han en dator så han kan uppdatera sin hemsida och skicka sitt nyhetsbrev. Han har 40 000 läsare som följer strapatserna.
Datorn har han också till anteckningar och lagra bilder i. Väl nere i Spanien ska han skriva en bok om sin pilgrimsfärd.
GPS:en har han inte med sig för att finna sig själv. Med dess hjälp ska han märka ut en vandringsled mellan Strömstad och
Göteborg.
Så fortsätter han och
Addo längs dagsetappen. I Pilgrimstad är det naturligtvis källan som lockar. Men inte bara den.
- Jaså, det finns en pizzeria där? Då siktar jag på att vara där till lunch.Torbjörn Laxvik063-161600
Torbjörn Laxvik
torbjorn.laxvik@op.se St�d f�r javascript kr�vs f�r att se e-postadressen.
063-161728
Artikeln publicerades
2007-05-19 kl.00.00


Bohusläningen

Fredag 29 Juni 2007 04:00

Långvandrare gav goda råd
TANUMSHEDE:
När Ulf Sighede gjorde halt i Tanumshede på sin 650-milavandring till Santiago de Compostela passade Grebbestadsbon Annika Olsson på att rådfråga honom. Nästa vecka börjar hon en vandring på pilgrimsleden i Spanien.
- Skaffa bra strumpor och ta det lugnt i början!
Ulf Sighede hade många goda råd att ge Annika Olsson. Så har han också avverkat hundratals mil till fots.
Det är inte bara de dryga 250 milen som från starten i hemstaden Ängelholm den 3 april fört honom till norra Bohuslän, via Vadstena, Sundsvall och Trondheim.
Sighede gick 2002, med sin mor, pilgrimsleden från St Jean Pied de Port, på franska sidan av Pyrenéerna och till Santiago de Compostela på Spaniens nordvästra hörn.
- Då fick jag blodad tand och kände att jag ville göra en ännu längre vandring. Jag ville ha tid att tänka igenom vad jag vill och ska. Det är min inre motivation, säger Ulf Sighede vid en paus på en gräsplätt i Tanumshede.
Vid hans sida finns hunden Adde, följeslagare på turen till Trondheim som får stanna i Ängelholm när Sighede passerar hemstaden.
Annika Olsson planerar för en vandring på 30 mil, från Leon till Santiago.
- Jag har en kompis i Uddevalla som gått på denna led och som tyckte att det var en fantastisk upplevelse. Det här känns som en fin utmaning, säger Annika Olsson som i egenskap av löpare och deltidsbrandman har bra kondition.
Hon och hennes väninna har tänkt ägna 13 dagar åt vandringen.
- Blir det rimliga etapper?, frågar hon Ulf Sighede och får ett jakande svar, även om han själv ligger på ett snitt kring 3,2 mil om dagen.
Sighede berättar att vandrandet i pilgrimernas spår gett honom väldigt mycket, erfarenheter som han tänker omsätta på olika sätt. Efter att ha nått Santiago de Compostela, enligt planerna i oktober, stannar han en tid i Spanien för att skriva en bok. Nästa år planerar han att tillsammans med en pedagog ordna tiodagarsvandringar för barn i kris.
Sighede, som är 53 år, har tidigare arbetat i olika former med försäljning.
- Men jag tröttnade på det stressade livet.
Lite tidspress kan det dock bli även för en vandrare. I eftermiddag måste han vara i Uddevalla, för ”administrativa” ärenden och i brådskan ser han sig delvis tvingad att gå på stora vägar.

Ann-Katrin Eklund
ann-katrin.eklund@bohuslaningen.se
0525-292 40



Saturday, June 30, 2007

Norway and Pledge

Hello,
My walk continous tomorrow, but I thought I get some thoughts written down before that, the time you have to think is infinite when you are out waalking like me, you are one with the nature. At the same time you have the whole world in your thoughts. One thing that I have decieded is that I would like to repay this experiance, that I'm greatful to be part of. Sometimes though in doubt and with efforts.
Ofcourse you are free to give comments, if you would like to, what I think is a good Idea, does not have to be the same for everyone else. I am rather greatful for all comments and ideas that are comming in, suggestions for improvement, yes, anything that can improve what I will do. During two periods in 2008, I will take two groups with youths, 1 with girls and 1 with boys, each group with 6-10 young adults. They shall come from all social levels and be in what I call a crisis, not yet outside of common norms, but on the way there, not yet criminal, but mayby in the wrong groups of "friends". How the selection will take place and the definitions will be worked on, when it comes to contact with social authorities or parents. During my walk I have met a number of people that would support or and help, all in one way or another been or still are involved with Young people.
The age groups is thought to be 14-17 years.
As the young people will come from all levels of society and ethnical belongings, there is no religious theme as such, although contact with the main religions will be established, Christianity, Islam etc. My thought was to have the Golden Rule as an umbrella for this arrangement. The golden rule is a corner stone in all religions. The groups will be guided by me on two walks along the Pilgrim path of S:t Olof, Selånger - Stiklestad. Each walk will take between 15-20 days and the lenght about 200-300 km. It will not be the same stretch for the girls and the boys and it can happen that we take the bus or the train from one part to another, further ahead, but the route will be a later decision. The thought is that these young people shall learn to, beside the experiance of nature, how important it is to trust others and help others, the most important part in order to get by when you are outdoors in a group. Beside that they get a natural break from their everyday life and time to think about how their future will be, socially, educational, work, family, etc
At more than one night we will have speakers come and explain from their experiances with young and old people who have lost grip and found themselves outside of the society, or mayby they where in the same siituation where these youngsters are now.The stayover at night, can be arranged with the people working with the pilgrim paths, I have spoken with a number of them during my walk and only positive comments have been heard, besides that the groups can be helpful in marking some stretches of the paths as well, some of them are really in need of improvements, in Sweden as well as in Norway.
There are still holes in my idea, but continously I see it a realizable plan, that really can give these young people a new chans.
In order to finance the project, I will act as mail man during the rest of my walk. I have created something that is called Pilgrim Post. The stretch Ängelholm Granada and any place between the cities I visit. Personally I will deliver the letters, all letters will get a circular seal:
Pilgrim PostNidaros - Santiago de CompostelaA.D. 2007
Date:
Seal
Besides that the receiver will remember the letter for ever, it can be of value for stamp collectors.
The cost will be 50 Euro as a donation.
If you are interested send me an email at sighede@gmail.com

Norway
An extra ordinary experiance!From the local shop owner in Sul who invited me for coffee, when we came down from the border crossing, to the girl in the petrol station in Halden who gave us water, short before the Swedish border.
Norway is a beautiful country, mountains, seas, forrest, musk ox and the Norweigans are nice, outdoor knowledgable, happy, helpful gutter o jänter. (Boys and Girls)Paddan and I have managed this part of the walk, much thanks to the help and support that we have received and met along the road.
Sharing is in their blod. That I have picked one story is in no way a grading, rather an example of the whole.
Stiklestad
After days of rain, the whole way from the border, we got closer to Stiklestad. The place where Olav and his men met their destiny and Norways first christian part was written. We where wet as if we came out of the washer, frozen and the doubt about making was shining in our eyes. Up hills with now end in sight, with the never stopping splashing of water in shoes and under paws. Even if it was only 7 km left, no choice tent has to go up in hill, where I try to find a plane spot. Bread and cheese, and some dog food for Adde. The sound of rain-drops against the roof of the tent. Cuddled togetherwe fell asleep.
Morning, centimeters of water in the lowest part of the tent, didn't find such a good space after all, hard to see when the glasses has no wipers, wet sleeping bag and two wet creatures. No choice than get up and away with one big question mark in my head - what do we find in Stiklestad?
We see the church, we see buildings, restored, like a village from times gone. A replica of a viking settlement, a big new complex with Hotel and Stiklestad National Center of Culture. I place Adde under a roof so he will get out of the rain for a while, goes to the reception, some strange looks from the guests, a bearded, wet pilgrim but the people in the reception are friendly and makes a phone call to see when someone from the Center will be there, in less than a hour, perfect. I get some coffee and Paddan is allowed to stay in the attendants office, his thank you is that he barks at everyone who whants to get in.
After a while Per Steinar Råen comes and after we have spoken a bit and I have explained who I am and what I do, there is no stop to the help I get. I can stay in the refuge for pilgrims, it still under repair, who had counted with pilgrims at this time... I can dry up my equipment, have a shower, and we can have good nights rest. The next day I will receive a guided tour in the church of Stiklestad, just the best and I feel how motivation and strength is coming back. This year is the 10:th anniversary and I get a lookin to the preparations of the Olsok play, My best wishes for this years play. That I got a special solo sung for me after the guided tour the next day and a blessing for the future walk will be in the book, magical moments that will be in my mind forever.
My experiance in Stiklestad, was a rehearsal for meetings to come in Trondheim, Lillehammer, Hamar, Rakkestad and so on.
I saw Adde in the top of the mid summer pole in Lillehammer, what it ment, you will find out in the book.
Thank you Norway, You have given me more than I can return.
Periculum in moraUlf
Mr Walker

Monday, March 12, 2007

Våren är här - Spring is here





Nu går det framåt, bara drygt två veckor tills dess att jag ska ge mig iväg. Klart att det pirrar lite i magen, det är ju ingen vanlig dagstur. Har fått toppenstöd ifrån Nidaros/Stiklestad med Rolf och Peter i spetsen. Om ni nu vill följa min vandring så glöm inte att gå in på min hemsida.

Now it is only a little more than two weeks untill my Walk starts. Naturally I´m a bit excited, it is not an every day walk. Have received a fantastic support from Norway, Nidaros/Stiklestad, with Rolf and Peter as big supporters. I hope you will follow my Walk so don´t forget to go to my home page

Vårliga hälsningar - Spring Greetings
Ulf
“Mr Walker”
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Sunday, March 11, 2007

On a pilgrimage to Hallaröd in snow and rain. Feb. 29.

The old stone church in Hallaröd is close to the ancient St: Olof spring of water. The Hallaröd church was built in the 12:th century and is one of the few S:t Olof churches in Sweden.
Just to see the S:t Olof spring is worth the walk (16.5 km). The thought of our ancestors has been visiting this place for almost 1000 years is staggering.
I had a lot of snow and then rain during the walk but I´m still a happy camper!
Thank you Edit, for opening the church and the meeting house, it made me feel really good again after drying up a bit.
On the way down to the Dagstorp lake, I got a first hand experiance on the impact these grotesque forrest machines are leaving in our nature.
In all a very beautiful experiance in the nature of Scania (south of Sweden) and it just has to be breath taking in springtime, with the hills full of birch and beech trees. The knockin from the woodpeckers could be heard clearly.
Periculum in Mora

Monday, February 12, 2007

50 Days left.

Yep, now it is more or less 50 days left until my Walk starts.
Preparations are well on their way and boots and feets are working just fine.
My dog Adde still has to loose some wight, this is according to the vet, I think he is looking good but what do I know. He will be my companion from the start here in Ängelholm on the way up to Trondheim and down to Gothenburg. After that he has deserved a good rest until I´ll be back from Spain and mayby he will gain some weight again.
Here he is, still a bit sleepy.

As Allways you can support my Walk by ordering the Book.

Periculum in Mora
"Mr Walker"
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Friday, September 29, 2006

I couldn´t walk another mile in my shoes.

This is not about me at all, it is about all of us that loves to be in Mother Nature, walking pilgriming or just taking a stroll.

With the blessing of the local priest in Ängelholm, my home town, it was time to get started on the so called test run (walk) up to Vadstena.

Following the Coast to Caost trail in direction Örkelljunga you will walk up to the ridge of Hallandsåsen and here you will be welcomed by the woodland that where the home to robbers, Snapphanar, giants and trolls many many years ago. You can still see where they lived.

Walking is easy and the morning dew that lasts to far in the afternoon soakes your shoes and feet - not a problem, we have had that before. The shoes can be dryed while we sare cooking dinner over the the open fire at the shelter by nightfall. Found some lovely chanterells by the side of the road, so it will be a mix of bacon and chanterelss for dinner tonight.

Solitude is the status along the trail but soon the village of Åsljunga will be in sight and I know for sure there is a small shop, Jonnys Livs, where you can buy some groceries. "Herr Boichel" is the owner. As he is a German you address him with Herr/ Mr, anything else would be impolite. He moved to Åsljunga a couple of years ago and we speak German as we talk about weather and other things, that people talk about when they meet as strangers. Herr Boichel is a nice guy, as I´m sitting on the bench outside of the his shop, he comes out and asks me if I would like to have a cup of freshly brewed coffee. How did he know that I love my coffee in the morning. Herr Boichel, you get a big gold star in my book. It is a pitty that these small shops are disappearing in favour of the big super markets. Quite sure, they wouldn´t invite me for a cup off coffee if I happend to pass by.

To be continued...

"The Golden Rule is what we do for the coming generations as well"

Take care and remember Periculum in mora

"Mr Walker"

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Another evidence on the global warming the effects.....

... thereof. More than 1.000.000 cubic meter of forest, in the area where the storm Gudrun past along last year, has been attacked by a 5mm small beatle (Scolytidae). This is probably due to the hot summer we had this year. When will they ever learn...

"The
Golden Rule is what we do for the coming generations as well"

Take care and remember

Periculum in mora

"Mr Walker"

Mud is flowing in Java, Indonesia....

... strange it is. This dissaster happend back in May and the big headlines are coming now. Soon some 10.000 people have been moved to a safer place until the next fortune seeking company comes and digs a hole. I feel for the families that now are without homes and belongings. Is it because it is in Indonesia and not in Europe or the United States that we do not react. Guess there would be a resigning of governments if this happend in "our part of the World". (The world belong to us all). Now you can read that they have been allowed to channel the toxic mud into a river, imagine the effects on not just the river but the sea below and for the fishermen and their living. Shame on all the people involved.

Mr Walker is back after some ups and downs on my walk up to Vadstena and a new newsletter is on the way as soon as the comments have been put into there proper places.

"The
Golden Rule is what we do for the coming generations as well"

Take care and remember

Periculum in mora

"Mr Walker"