Walks & 'Sommar i P1'

One thing I love to do when in Sweden every summer, is go for long walks and bike rides. 

When the kids were young it was a way to get a short break; when I was on my fitness streaks it was a way to keep at it and this summer it was a way to collect my thoughts and feelings. Some days I would just walk and listen to the birds, the winds and the sounds of nature. Some days I would listen to ''Sommar i P1', depending on my mood.

This, this is everything.  

Hiking in Tiveden National Park

This summer was a different kind of summer, with not much space or time to do my own things, I was home to be with my parents. But one day, I borrowed the car and drove a couple of hours north to meet up with my good friend Linda. 
We met halfway between her and I, in the Tiveden National Park.

She brought her dog Bull, and we decided to go on the longest of the trails. It turned out not to be too long anyway, so we did two loops!

Such a great, sunny day, perfect weather for a hike!

We found a small lake, where we decided to have the picnic Linda had brought along:

 

Great views!

This pine tree was apparently believed to have magical powers. In the past people would pass their children through this hole, and thought that this protected them from evils and sickness. So couldn't hurt to do the same!

What a lovely day! 

Spring in Stenum

My trip continued a little bit up further north, back home to my parents.

Swedish spring really is something else. Last year I was home much later, in April, and got totally snowed in! This year I come in early March, and I had beautiful weather! Out for a walk, and had to remove my jacket it was so warm.

We managed to catch up with Emma, Stoffe and Elicia. Oh my, time flies, she has grown so big already! What a cutie!

Turned out I shouldn't have said too much about the weather because after the first few nice days, the temperatures plummeted and the snow came back.

Seriously! Who ordered this?!

So, good timing for my departure! Brrr! And about time that I returned back to Abu Dhabi, after three long weeks touring Europe!

A little treat for the train, this time we had bought "Näst bästa semlan i Västergötland" according to another list I had found. Still, didn't measure up to the Bageriet one, but a semla is a semla and it was my last one for a while so I still enjoyed it.

 One last night with Pia and Martin, and then it was time for me to fly back home.

Walking routine

The weather is at its very best this time of the year, so better make the most of it.
I have finally got into some kind of routine getting out and about, and going for a walk most mornings when I don't work.

Sometimes I go with my friend Tash, sometimes alone. I do the same route almost every time, about a 5km walk along the canal past Al Muneera and Al Bandar.

I so enjoy living here in Al Zeina, having these nice walkways just outside my door!

 

#USABMNT

The USA Basketball Men's National Team has been in Abu Dhabi the past week to warm up for the Paris Summer Olympics. The star-studded team came to play two exhibition games, one against Australia and one against Serbia. Lucas was lucky to get some cheap tickets from a friend, so he brought Ben on Monday to see the USA-AUS game. Best timed BeReal in a long time!

The players were invited to soak in the emirati culture while staying here, and they were spotted visiting the SZGM, playing golf at Yas Acres, riding the roller coasters at Ferrari World - and of course, we had the honour of a few of them visiting the museum as well.

I did several tours this week with different people from the NBA, starting with Bam Adebayo. I wonder if I got the tour because I'm the tallest mediator in the team... ha ha!

He was so very kind to all the fans that approached him, and in the end when I told him that my son had really enjoyed the game the night before he said: "Give us your phone and we'll take a photo for your son then!". So this happened:

I also had the pleasure of giving a tour to NBA legend Steven Smith.

These type of tours are always a bit special. Not because of the celebrities themselves, they are always lovely and generally very interested and inquisitive, like Mr Smith. It's more because of everything around them, the fans, their entourage, the extra security sometimes and in this case, the media team that is there to document. Pressure! We were filmed and photographed from every angle, and I actually ended up on Visit Abu Dhabi. (See those movies on my Instagram @scandinavianguideabudhabi)

This years spring... shift?

Usually this time of the year, I go through a bit of a metamorphosis process. I wrote about how this usually pans out last year.
I have to say, this year I'm not experiencing quite the same urge, as my focus is all together on Linnea at the moment. She is in the middle of her final IB exams (she has done 6 out of 13 exams so far) and it is - and has been for a while - a very stressful time for her, obviously. And for all of us.
The time I usually have trouble to fill as work slows down, is spent at home supporting her in all and every way possible during this time. Mostly by just being here, but that is important enough.

I have actually moved my trusty old best Covid-friend the treadmill into the guest room for a while and started doing some indoor walks. I never really got into to going to the gym here. It being placed in the basement with no windows give it such a "dungey" feeling. I like it better with the view of the sea!

We have also done some spring cleaning around the house. I guess its the old platitude, when the mind is messy - you clean!
We finally got around to clearing out the downstairs bathroom a bit. It had basically just become a dumping room, and was full of all sorts of things that didn't have a place anywhere else. Even though technically we don't need to be able to use it (as there are three other bathrooms in the apartment) we thought it could be nice when we have several sets of visitors at once, which has happened a few times already.
Here's Nathan about half way through the process... ha ha, just when steam tends to run out.

Well, we managed. Now there are still some things in there in one corner, but someone could still use it as a bathroom (as it is huge!), so mission accomplished. What's next..?

Doha, Day 3. 3-2-1 Sports Museum

On my last day, Anna had some prior engagements, so I ventured out with an Uber to discover the last two museums. I started at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.

Mashrabiya roof:

Surprisingly, it was actually quite interesting! Well, I am a curious person, and open for most things - but I am not a very sporty person. Obviously I enjoyed the very first part the most, the part that spoke about the history of sports:

This part took me on a journey through the history of sport across the globe, from ancient to modern times. It was interesting as it was separated into geographic and thematic sections. Very well done.

Even in this museum I would take note of things reminding me of objects we showcase at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

The second part brought me into the story of the Olympic Games. It showcased objects connected with the long history of the Olympic Games, from Greek Antiquity until today.

There was a gallery which included a display of every torch from the Summer and Winter Olympics from 1936 onwards.

Olympic mascots!

There was also a "Hall of Athletes", where a lot of different sporting heroes from around the world were presented. Over 90 sporting icons were profiled here, and I spotted a few familiar faces - for example Jonah Lomu.

There was also a part which invited the visitors to physical activity. Not so fun since I was on my own, but I can see families with young kids, or sports crazy and competitive people have a blast here.
I walked through this bit fairly quickly and went off in another Uber to my next stop instead - to the Modern Art Museum.