Socker för dig, socker för alla

[nibot]

``Det var i slutet av vandringen som han kom fram till den heliga orten, det heliga industriområdet Örtofta. Det var hit visionen hade fört honom. På denna heliga plats regerade magi och alkemiska processer, här fanns fabrikerna som försåg landet i söder med sötsaker. På skyltarna stod det sammanfattat som "Örtofta sockerbruk". '' -- Sagan om Fredrik och sockerbruket

I took advantage of the sunshine to go out for a walk. I took off walking out of Delphi and was surprised to discover how abruptly the town gave way to farmland. Just through a few high density housing units and some forested parkland I popped out into the expansive, open farmland of the Skåne. The open fields were interspersed with small stands of trees, still barren from the winter, and groups of the red houses so emblematic of Sweden. Sporadic white windmills dotted the countryside, harvesting energy from the wind that sweeps across the gently rolling flatlands. I wandered on, following the highway and the railroad, through the country-side, passing a sign giving distances to Lund (5 km, behind me), and Örtofta (6 km ahead). I figured I might as well just walk all the way to Örtofta, curious what I'd find in the villages surrounding Lund. In the distance I saw some kind of industrial plant, with large tanks and tall chimneys.

The sun's low-angled rays crafted a striking landscape, emphasizing the rich texture of the soil in the fields, which had been sculpted into various contortions by plow and by rain. In some fields I even saw small green shoots of life, signs that winter may really be behind us. I looked through my pockets to see what I had with me on this impromtu journey and in them I found fifty crowns, not bad at all. I hoped I'd eventually find some place to get some kind of lunch.

Soon enough I came to Örtofta. Before stepping into the town I loitered on a bridge and looked down into the turbulent waters of a river engorged by the rains and swollen way beyond its banks. Geese flew overhead, honking and each looking like some kind of elongated, winged bowling pin. I wished that I had brought my camera along, loaded with ektachrome.

Crossing the bridge and walking into the town I found a Korv stand across the road from the railroad platform. This appeared to be the only business in the town, at least the only one visible from the road. I eagerly purchased a Korv med Bröd and ate it while I continued walking.

And here was the industrial plant that I had seen in the distance; it was a Danisco sugar factory! With a sprawling network of pipes and conveyers and chimneys and silos it looked so inviting for an explorational infiltration, but I restrained myself. I circumnavigated the place, noting that the road leading into it had lanes labelled "Beets," "Beet Pulp," and "Raw Sugar" . While I explored, I counted at least six freight trains, one X2000 hurtling itself towards Stockholm, and two pågatåg. (It's amazing how one of those little electric SJ engines can pull a whole freight train...)

Gradually the sky took on deeper tones and soon stars, shining brightly, pierced the northern sky. I figured that the next sunny weekend, I'd take my tent along and go on an even grander Skånskaresa. But for now, as the sky grew dark and I saw that there were no other municipalities for considerable distances, I walked back to the railroad platform and waited for the train back to Lund.