To enjoy the afternoons

The fantastic and (almost too) hot weather continues and it feels as we will have a proper summer to remember, finally. What's great with where we live, and is probably true for most of London, is that we have several parks nearby. Today we went to the paddling pool to cool down. Many of M's school friends were there too and we had a really nice and relaxed afternoon. M finishes school at 3.15 PM so there is plenty of time to do something in the afternoon. Tomorrow it's time for a play date, and every Tuesday we have one of M's school friends here as I pick up both girls from school. The parents will return the favour when we need someone to pick up M.

Better make the most of these warm summer afternoons, whilst I'm still around a lot, and whilst there is not too much homework. It will probably change next school year.

I feel really grateful that I get to spend this much time with M, and enjoy this summer with her. And I also feel really grateful that despite living in London we do have several "watering holes" and parks. It's not the beach and the sea (which I deeply miss...) but for that we've got "my" beautiful island and we'll be there in less than 2 weeks. Something else to be grateful for.

Strawberries by the Streatham Common Paddling pool.

The Rookery - Streatham. Look at those magnificent trees!

To pretend to be in Provence

And we don't have to go very far, less than 30 minutes from us we have our own little "Provence", a fantastic lavender field which apparently was a global leader in lavender production up to the end of the Victorian era - who would have thought! It was beautiful, and the scent just heavenly. And all organic.

The summer so far has been great, sunny and warm weather and up to 30c, and it's apparently going to continue (obviously forgotten about those weeks in June when it wasn't...). We spent the morning at the lido (outdoor swimming pool, and we had to queue for an hour!) and then the late afternoon with the "lavenders". We've got 8 more days at school before the holidays start but we're making the most of this lovely weather every day.

To enjoy the sunny days

I certainly don't miss the office, especially when it's hot and sunny, and even though I hope I will get to do some work soon, I'm making the most of the freedom for now.

It's such a treat to be able to pick up M from school every day. This afternoon we we to the park with her friend and had a pancake picnic. 

Today she also had her ballet show and it was lovely to be able to be there at 1.30 to watch her dancing. Ballet has been a struggle...she's enjoyed the actual ballet but as the lessons take place at lunch time it means she misses out on having lunch with the rest of the class. That's been tough! Anyway, she's really proud today and of course I felt tears welling up whilst watching...

To have a bit of summer

Long time no seen... Still in London as school won't break up for summer until the 24th July - too late for a Swede! A few weeks to go before the next Sweden trip and a few more weeks to get my head around this whole freelancing business. In the meantime we're making the most of the summer in London.

To have a Barnaby

I picked up a very proud little girl from school yesterday - it was her turn to look after Barnaby!

Barnaby, the teddy bear, is staying with us over the weekend and we better treat him well as it's all needs to be documented with photos and in text in the special Barnaby diary before a presentation at school on Monday.

M and Barnaby are already best friends, but believe Moo Moo still is a strong contender.

It reminds me of that despite having been to her first school disco (on Thursday) she is still little child, and I want to keep it that way as long as possible. Feels as children grow up far too quickly. Luckily she still doesn't know who the Bieber is...

To have a lot to tell

Once again it's been too long since I last wrote something here. We've been to Sweden and back - a surprise visit as my parents didn't know anything. My brother and I planned it all! We flew to Gothenburg first and drove to the island the day after. We then had 5 lovely days on the island before driving back to Gothenburg and were also able to spend a day at Liseberg before heading back to London.

It's my second week as a "freelancer" and can't say I miss the office much! At the moment I'm working on my new website, from the balcony. The sun has been shining all week and I've managed to fit in a powerwalk/jog every day after dropping off M at school and have started doing pilates at the local sport centre. I like my new life indeed.

I've been thinking of changing the blog slightly too and start writing in Swedish instead...it's all change.

The cousins, and best friends. They were playing "children in the old days", like I loved to do as a child, and in the same garden too.

 

The village museum is next door to my parents. When I was a child it was always open but after theft and vandalism you now need to contact the chairman for the key and we're lucky as mum bumped into her - we then spent an hour in the old "poor man's house" playing school etc. Like I used to.

Pancake feast!

 

Busted!

Sunny day at Liseberg, the big park and fun fair in Gothenburg...

...which ended with a thunderstorm. Luckily we managed to fit in 3 hours of fun before.

To welcome (pre)summer

A few more weeks have passed and we had a taste of summer. M and I spent a day at the Horniman's Museum, a lovely oasis just a few train stops from us and the pic is from there. Birthday parties, BBQs etc have occupied our weekends and I feel ready for summer and freedom. Two more weeks at work and then I'm ready to face my new "free range" life!