Carl von Linné was a well-travelled man. What he observed in his many trips is collected in his most famous work, the Systema Naturae presenting the new division of the three kingdoms of nature: animals, plants and minerals. Less well known is that he was also an advocate of healthy living, an attitude well documented in his Dieta Naturalis, published in 1733. His words are worth reading even today. Linné journeyed through Västergötland Province in 1746, a province that over the centuries has partly been shaped by the steady efforts of many farmers.

Today it encompasses one of this country’s most fertile agricultural plains. At this time there is an effort to promote the small-scale farming production to the benefit of both health and wellbeing. The products hold high quality throughout; old recipes and traditions are being recreated in modern form. There are indications that Linné was careful with what he and his disciples ate and drank, as well as for ensuring time for rest and recreation, but the documentation on this does not exist.

We have chosen to let our ‘Linné’ travel through Västgöta Country and write a travel blog as one might have looked had he been active in our century.