Summer in Sweden is such a gamble. Normally, the season is a roller coaster of a few beautiful days sandwiched between weeks (sometimes months) of clouds, rain, and thunderstorms. High temps usually max out at 25-27°C (about 75-80°F), and it always, always, ALWAYS rains on Midsummer’s eve.
While we did get rain on Midsummer (tradition!), the rest of this summer has been completely out of the ordinary. Days and days of 30°C heat, sunshine, and a light breeze sent all of Sweden into a fan-purchasing frenzy – seriously, they’re sold out everywhere. While the sudden change in weather is a bit frightening, not to mention the fact that forest fires are at an all-time high and a grill-ban has been declared nation-wide, we’re content finding ways to beat the heat and enjoy the perks of a warm, dry summer.
This is Conrad’s and my first ‘official’ summer in Sweden since moving last year (he was in Kenya for most of last summer), and we have been enjoying every last drop it. I’m really mostly sharing this so that when it’s November and dark at 2pm, I can pull up this post and remember why the winters are worth it! You’ll get a better idea from the photos, but basically we have been living in a kind of utopian Swedish fairytale, complete with wild strawberries and raspberries outside our home, daily hikes in the forest followed by daily jumps in the lake, picnics, mosquito bites, delicious food, dog friends, city sightseeing, magical lake views, and so much more.
Fjällnorra, a public beach across the lake from us
Crossing the floating bridge on the trail to Fjällnorra, with my oldest best friend Nora!
Our little cabin ❤
Secret private spot on the lake – perfect for playing catch.
FYI, this photo was taken before the grill/fire ban 🙂
Happiest dog in the world
Exploring Stockholm’s south west side
Daily swim with pups
Dancing around the midsummer pole, or midsommarstång during the short break from rain!
Midsummer feast, complete with local craft beer and a snaps sampler
Rhubard (from the garden) topped vanilla poundcake
Smultron!
If this hasn’t convinced you to visit Sweden (in the summer, obvs), I don’t know what will. Thank you Sweden for your wonderful summers, this is definitely one that will go down in the books!
xxLena
Is it because I’m not where I thought I’d be at 30? Not really, to be honest. As someone who wasn’t sure she’d ever get married, I’m surprised and pleased almost daily at the fact that I managed to find a life partner. Career-wise, I definitely have days where I think, ‘What am I doing, where am I going, is this what I want to do, WILL PEOPLE FIGURE OUT THAT I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M DOING??’, but, for the most part, I feel pretty secure in the path I’m on. Baby/family-wise, I know I’m not ready so am not even thinking about that yet. With the move to Sweden last year, things have definitely not been settled or ‘normal’ by any means, but, as I’ve shared, everything so far has worked out.
I apologize for the rambling nature of this post, but this has been something I’ve been meaning to write about for some time, if only to get my thoughts out of my head and onto my screen. I’m almost certain that, if I’m still blogging in ten years, I’ll look back at this post and either laugh or feel pity towards my young, naive self…but I also hope that, should I still be blogging in ten years, I’ll read this post and feel empathy and love for this confused, anxious girl. It’s likely that in ten years I still WON’T have figured anything out, but that’s ok! Because isn’t that what life is? A constant, moving target that none of us can make sense of?
Here’s to the last few months of being an anxious, goofy, all-over-the-place twenty-something, to honouring this path (triumphs, mistakes and all), the place I’m in today, and to figuring things out with courage, kindness, and a modicum of grace.
Cheers!
Mallorca is the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, and a tourist hot spot during the summer months. After epically failing at my last attempt to visit Spain in 2010 (a total and utter fiasco, including the Icelandic volcano eruption, a friend stranded in Switzerland with a burst appendix, and a urinary tract infection on my part), I still had never been to the country and was absolutely DYING to go. After a bit of back and forth with my sister, who is currently living in Beijing, I found some decently priced tickets on a cheap airline and voila! A trip was born*.
We left from Stockholm on the 4th of July and, despite a few delays, made it to Mallorca safe and sound by nightfall. Having just a few days to rest and explore before Margot’s course began, we spent the entire time sunning, eating, drinking, exploring, and speaking terrible Spanish to anyone who’d listen.
On Saturday, after having our fill of city strolling and beach lazing (including some hilariously bad sun burns. I mean, honestly, WHEN WILL I LEARN??? Sunscreen. ALWAYS sunscreen.) we decided to take the local train to Sóller, a town near the north west coast of Mallorca, known for it’s idyllic views and bustling markets.
If you get a chance to visit Mallorca, I HIGHLY suggest spending a day in Sóller. The itself trip was stunning, with train tracks lined with lush lemon trees, mountains, farms, and little villages, and Sóller was charming and wonderful to explore on foot. It’s quite touristy, but not in a tacky, Disneyland sort of way. Within minutes, you can find yourself strolling along quiet neighbourhoods and alleyways, away from the bustle of the main square.
As you can see, it did not disappoint. I left that evening tan, tired, and already planning my next trip.
Now, I know it is only March but I am very proud to say that I have been sticking to my resolution quite well! The only item of clothing I’ve bought is a winter parka that I found at a second hand shop for 40 dollars, and I really, really needed one (I swear!). But that’s it! And I bought a few items for our new place, but really nothing other than the essentials (which, by the way, was bloody TORTURE. Word to the wise: don’t go to IKEA when trying not to shop for a year).
As with almost everything in my life, this situation is only temporary (we are going to try to eventually buy an apartment in Uppsala), but I can’t tell you how excited I am to spend spring and summer here. Swimming in the lake (or, rather, watching Conrad and Win swim since I am a cold water wimp-extraordinaire), hiking along forest trails, growing herbs and flowers outside my window, grilling with our neighbors, stargazing from our hammock, and so much more.
Of course, most of these fantasies do NOT include the foot and a half of snow that is currently surrounding us…but I can wait. After all, spring is coming!
