Post-Easter blues

Easter is over and life has returned to normal again. During Easter my Swedish friend Suzanna was visiting, and we had rented a car in order to be able to drive around and see as much as possible. We spent a few days with my parents at the cabin (further north), but also took time out for one-day expeditions in my neighbourhood. It was fabulous, and fortunately the weather was nice most of the time, so we could spend hours and hours in the outdoors. Oh joy.

Suzanna and my dog Emre resting at a beach rock about 30 mins south of where I live. We spent the day outside and at the hiking club's cabin, which is situated literally on the shore. Suzanna enjoyed the place so much that virtually one of the first things she did was to find a nice spot on a rock and curl up to nap a little... And Emre decided to keep watch :) Later on we explored the shores and made dinner at the cabin, together with two other friends and their dog. Some times life is so good that there's nothing more to say. This was one of those days, I think.

Suzanna at a beach in Lødingen, near our cabin. This beach is next to the road, however, there were hardly any people and so we could let the dogs run freely around for a while. (My friend Annelin and her dog Mia were there too, they're just not on the photo.) There were three reindeer on the one side of the beach when we got there, but fortunately they ran off before the dogs could detect them. Emre had chased one reindeer just a few days earlier, with both himself and the reindeer falling through the fjord ice, so I was nervous to let him loose. But it worked out relly well, thank God! And Suzanna had a great time watching the two furry ones chase each other around, both on the beach and in the sea!

On Easter Sunday I just had to try the water. Did not have a swimsuit with me so could not swim properly, but wading along the shore was just fine. The water wasn't ... well, let's say this: it was a very refreshing experience! But I didn't catch a cold or anything afterwards, not as much as a caugh or a sneeze. Though it would totally have been worth it if I did.

Spring on the shore

Yup. It's definitely spring here now, and has been for just over a week. One day I took the dog down to the shore of the sea, to an area where there are no houses and hardly ever any people. There I can let him roam freely about, and he loves it. We often go there if we are with someone else so that the dogs can play together in a large area. Not a bad way to spend the afternoon when coming home from work, as you see above!

This is Emre, 10.5 months old. He is a relatively calm, confident and very happy puppy who is about to turn into a youngster rather than a 'puppy'. I enjoy his company a lot, obviously, and I don't think he minds mine either... His great-grandfather won the Iditarod a couple of years ago, together with the rest of the dog team and a guy behind on a sled, and Emre loves running too. He is slowly about to learn the art of pulling too. What a joy!

Emre looking out for birds after having inspected the shore. He loves chasing birds, especially when they sit by the sea and he can run towards them just to scare them off. He does not need to bark in order to do that, so he doesn't. Most of the time, anyway. And just like when he was a little puppy still living at his (home/original) kennel, he continues to enjoy taking a break to stop and get an overview over what goes on in the surroundings. Just in case, I guess.

Smells like spring spirit

It started looking like spring around the 20th of March. But then another snowfall came, and it was equal to the most we've had this winter. One of the days the weather was lovely and I was not at work, so I took the dog with me out and made the most of the day. It was almost like traditional Easter holidays: snow, sun, chocolate and hours spent in the outdoors.

Usually summer here lasts from mid/late December to about late March, a total of 3-3.5 months. Last year the ground was coverend in white from 14 October onwards, and it's still white. Which means we've had winter for nearly half a year now – that's a lot, and it feels like way too much.

So therefore I am glad that spring has arrived for real this time. It started just a few days ago. Snow is melting faster by the day, the temperatures are warm and I can once again wear trainers instead of winter shoes. Soon every little forest path will once again be available for exploring without wearing skis. The walks with the dog will not have to be along streets but can be anywhere, anytime. In a month it won't get properly dark at night either.

Yesterday evening while out walking there were northern lights. There's been quite a lot of that this winter, and I've enjoyed it every single time. Yesterday's sighting might be the last one for the season. Although I'll miss it I'm not sad. It's moving towards summer time, and sunshine 24/7. Bring it on - I am totally ready for it!

My new best friend - 10 months later

I realise I've been ignoring and forgetting about this blog. I shouldn't have. So I'll try and update it more frequently from now on. Maybe. This is my dog - the puppy from the previous post is now 10 months old. His name is Emre, he is a very loveable dog and measures about 70cm on top of his shoulders. Big for his age and for the race, in other words, and he still has muscles to grow. I love it.

The winter is about to leave, spring is approaching and I look very much forward to being able to wander about in the nature here with Emre without having to ski or worry about where there's a hard track to walk on... Perhaps I'll update more here when we start roaming?