I’m pretty much packed…

The countdown has truly begun for my trip to Thailand, Sweden, and the UK, and I’m pretty much packed.

I visited the chemist this morning for my prescriptions and saw my prosthetist yesterday to ensure my leg is ready for the journey. I know my limb volume will fluctuate in different climates—especially moving from the tropical heat of Thailand to the Arctic air of Sweden—so I’m prepared for that. Will (the prosthetis) stabilised some of the joints to keep everything in top shape for the walking I’ll be doing.

For months, I’ve been studying videos of Stockholm street style to track the transition through the seasons. Watching videos posted just this week, my focus is a bit different from the average viewer. I’m looking closely at the ground: light to moderate snowfall is visible, and the footpaths are covered in a layer of slush and packed snow. While there is evidence of grit or sand for traction, the surface looks potentially slippery. I even noticed some pedestrians holding onto each other for support, which confirms my feeling that some areas might be a bit precarious for me.

My research into the recent weather shows that Sweden has been hit by a significant “Arctic blast” this January. Northern parts of the country recorded temperatures as low as –41°C, and even in Stockholm, daily highs have struggled to get above –3°C with nights dropping to –10°C. January has been quite heavy on the snowfall, and since this cold spell is expected to remain “locked-in,” the ice and slush I saw in those videos will likely still be there when I arrive in mid-February.

Comparing my travel month to January, February is actually statistically the coldest month of the year in Stockholm, with average lows of –5°C. However, I’ve found that February is generally drier with less overall precipitation than January.

The most heartening change is the daylight: by mid-February, I’ll be enjoying much more than the 7 hours of light they get in January. By the time I head to Sundsvall for Melodifestivalen at the end of the month, the city will have gained nearly 3 hours of daylight compared to the start of the year, making those snowy streets much brighter.

In terms of gear, I’ve packed my thermals and layers, but watching the locals has helped me decide on the right beanies and gloves. Most people in the video are heavily bundled in stylish winter attire. I’ve also scrutinised their footwear and feel confident in the shoes I’ve chosen for the transition between climates.

One of the most refreshing observations wasn’t about the weather or clothes, though. In Sydney, it feels like everyone is obsessed with their mobile phones while walking. Looking at these Stockholm videos, it’s almost revolutionary: while you see a few people on their devices, most are actually looking ahead, taking in their surroundings, or—heaven forbid—actually talking to one another!

Despite the Swedish reputation for being private, they seem far less glued to their screens than what I see back home. It’s a great reminder to look up and enjoy the view, even if I have to keep one eye on the snow!