Spring by the sea is great

Lately we've had fabulous spring weather, warm and quite lovely all through the day. It does not get dark at night anymore, so it's possible to be out and about 24/7 if one wants to. When I walk the dog in the morning before going to work (around 5.30 a.m.) it's sunny even when I wake up. I love it, and I love how I can walk outside at that hour wearing just trainers, a t-shirt and tights. Very, very easy! I have stopped counting the hours I've spent in the outdoors the past two weeks...

Both these images show my dog earlier today. I took him walking down to the seaside, where there's an area where he can run freely about. His best friend Mia (dog!) is in heat, so they're off playdates for a little while. He enjoyed chasing birds instead!

My mother visited yesterday, and she brought with her something that pleased me immensely. My aunt (her sister) is moving, and in the process she is ridding herself of some things from her flat. So I get to 'inherit' a set of porcelain plates, serving trays etc in various sizes from a set of porcelain that my grandparents got for their wedding day in 1948! When they died my mum and her sister split the china among them; now I have my aunt's part and will soon get my mother's part too. So I will end up having a full set of oooold china. I am so excited.

Have a great weekend - I plan to, too :-)

BBQ season's started!

Tonight I officially started this year's bbq season. Together with some great people I had a bonfire bbq at lake Soløyvannet, just outside Bodø town. 6-7 people and three dogs had a wonderful time at the southern shore of the lake, the sun was shining and all was well in my corner of the world.

Btw, it does not get dark at night anymore. It grows grey'ish for about 3-4 hours every night, then the light returns again. Not long to go before the midnight sun is back. Yay! The place where we had the bbq tonight was new to me, and it proves to be an excellent place to use as starting point for roaming the mountains and forests around Bodø. Something tells me I'll be back there quite soon... I think the dog will be happy to return too. He enjoyed every minute of tonight, which is not a surprise. Huskies are made for outdoor life, and Emre is no exception.

Now we have months and months of easy living to look forward to. :-D

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!

Wade in the water

Today I tested the ocean water for the first time this year! In just two days we've gone from late winter to early summer; the days of spring seem to be gone and with them the cool temperatures and remaining patches of snow. Now the trees are green, the air holds 20 degrees C and it does not get dark at night anymore.

And then there's the beach. Today I went to Bodøsjøen beach, just outside the city centre, together with a group of other people. We talked for a while about this and that, and the ocean water looked more and more temping to me. In the end I could not help it anymore; I left the group, took off my shoes and socks and started wading in the water! Not very far, that's true, and not for too long. But I was out until half my legs were covered with water, and it was crystal clear. Temperature...? Fresh, let's leave it at that. Not enough to get a heart attack;-)

And above you can see the proof. I've officially started the wading season. Bathing soon to follow, though not sure if I'll be able or willin to picture that. Watch this space, and come visit if you want to. Summer is on and it's here to stay!