Greetings to everyone from Hemppa
I want to share with you a story about a place that is very special to me – Mathildedal. This unique ironworks village has given me much more than I ever expected. It is easy to try here, meet different people and spend time both at work and in leisure. And yes, I have also caught the most valuable “catch” of my life here… but more on that later.
The spirit of Mathildedal and the village of entrepreneurs
Mathildedal is home to dozens of interesting businesses:
artisanal restaurants, a village brewery, craft shops, guesthouses, activities and a wonderful range of different experts. The village is full of activity. My fellow entrepreneurs have also become friends with me, with whom we make sure that those who come here have a good time – and return.
Sometimes I stop to think about what makes Mathildedal exactly what it is today.
Is it the environment – the well-maintained ironworks buildings, the proximity to the sea and the atmosphere of an old factory community? Or the people who run it all?
The truth is probably a combination of these two characteristics.
Nature that stops you in your tracks
The nature surrounding Mathildedal is in a class of its own Hiking & outdoor activities – Teijo National Park – Nature. Lake Mathildanjärvi, the trails of Teijo National Park and the proximity to the sea create a framework where the mind rests. I have made countless hiking trips in these landscapes with both friends and my children.
Originally, Mathildedal was a resting place for me between fishing trips.
Today, I work here throughout the open water season. From here, I leave with clients on fishing and island trips, we get our lunches from here and it is simply easy to work from here.
Ease is perhaps the key word for Mathildedal. It is easy to come here, it is easy to breathe here. And everyone feels welcome here.
Small village, big heart
Although the village is small, there is enough to do for several days. There is always an event, exhibition, new taste experience or activity going on. The gentle bustle of Mathildedal is exactly what attracts me – no rush, no noise, but a way of doing things with room to breathe.
And then the biggest catch.
The moment when the hooks catch… each other
One evening in late summer, I took a nice new fishing buddy with me to go fishing. The evening passed slowly, even though there were no fish in sight, but things went all the better. We decided to go fishing again – and we have done so, many times.
At this point, it is probably fair to say that that “fishing buddy” is now my beloved wife.
We first met on the shore of Mathildedal Marina and went fishing – but in the end we got hooked on each other.
The fishing here is usually good, but that evening the focus was a bit elsewhere.
The area from Mathildedal to Strömma and Särkisalo is a real mecca for fishermen anyway. Big pike, perch and zander are caught here – but in my case the best “catch” was not found in the water this time.
What’s coming up on the blog?
I will be writing my thoughts and experiences here in the future:
about fishing
about boating
about hiking
about everyday life as a guide and entrepreneur
about the area’s excursion destinations and places
…and about everything else related to these landscapes and life as a guide entrepreneur, hiker and fisherman.
Welcome to follow the journey – hopefully we’ll see you soon on the village streets or on the water.
— Hemppa