A several metre high bulky troll and a long sea snake, its back covered with potted flowers, together guard the entrance to Jönköping.

Here at the birth house of Dag Hammarskjöld, the second secretary general of the United Nations, we meet a group of radiant youths from a skiing school.

They follow us through sun-splashed streets towards Dag Hammarskjölds plats, where the chairman of the commune council Lars Evert Sahlin warmly greets us.

TV cameras record the event. Then a representative from the Dag Hammarskjöld committee gives an inspiring speech about coming together to work for a better world.

Dag Hammarskjöld was a great and good man, who combined a life of service with a life of self-seeking, self-discovery, finding his place in the universe.

We are offered refreshments, including some delicious Swedish sandwiches. As the sun moves across the sky Dag Hammarskjölds plats falls more and more in the shade and we find that in the absence of the sun it is quite chilly. We persist there, though, for we have some interesting discussions, but soon we move on, the youths leading us out of the city.

Next up is Skillingaryd. A group of children join us through this quaint little town. At the square about a dozen smiling people are gathered and the mayor gives a very good speech that perfectly grasps the idea of the run. We gather everyone to run around the square with us and then the children join us to the border. It is a warm and good-hearted town.

Many juicy stories could be written about our escapades with lost cars and runners, but this will have to wait for some other time. Be it enough to say that we the ingredients for quite a good comedy…and its sequel.

Värnamo, a beautiful little city is our last stop for the day. At the square the city representatives give us a warm greeting, together with a nice reporter. They run with us for a few metres, and kindly provide us with cosy camping lodgings and treat us to a very special dinner…

Surprisingly we learn that here in Värnamo actually resides the 2004 European World champion in pizza baking, and we are invited to her restaurant. Dressed in rustic wood and stone it exudes warmth and the promise of good company. Our hostess, the pizza-queen, herself, is extremely charming and good-humoured. And the pizza is delicious, along with the refreshing tangy salad and creamy ice-cream. Truly satisfying! Fulfilled we take a few snaps with the torch to crown the evening.

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Distance: 141km

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