We had been driving for hours when we finally spotted the turn-off for Ullared near Falkenberg, and I was convinced the satnav had a personal grudge against us. One wrong lane choice had us looping round a roundabout twice before we found the right exit, and by the time we pulled up outside the little red house the sky was already starting to fade. The first thing that struck me was how quiet it felt, just the sound of our car doors closing and a faint breeze moving through the trees.

We stepped out stiffly, stretching like we had been in those seats for days rather than the actual drive from the ferry. The garden was simple but welcoming, with a few deckchairs already set out and a small table that looked perfect for morning coffee. Inside, the living room felt cosy in that proper Swedish way, with pale wooden floors and big windows that let in what was left of the daylight. I dropped my bag on the sofa and immediately noticed how clean everything smelt, like someone had opened the windows just before we arrived.

After the journey chaos it was oddly calming to wander through the kitchen and see the fridge already stocked with basics, and the kettle looked like it had been waiting for us. We made tea straight away and took our mugs outside to the little patio. From there we could just about see the edge of the woods and hear what I think was a blackbird giving it his best before dusk. My partner pointed out the hammock strung between two trees and joked that one of us would end up in it by mistake before the week was out. I laughed, but later that evening I caught myself thinking how easily I could get used to this slower pace.

The bathroom was small but thoughtfully laid out, and the bedroom had that thick duvet I always associate with Scandinavian stays. We unpacked only the essentials and left the rest of the bags by the door, deciding the long drive had earned us a proper sit-down rather than any more unpacking. As the light dimmed outside, the house felt like it was settling around us, offering exactly the calm we had hoped for after the roundabout mishap. I found myself smiling at how something so ordinary could feel like such a relief, and I wondered whether the rest of the week would be quite so gentle on the nerves.