Touchdown Copenhagen

Nathan got two weeks of summer leave in July this year, so we took off to start our summer with a few days in Copenhagen. It was absolutely beautiful summer weather so we walked about a lot. We caught up with Lars and Nanna, Søren and Jonna, and even Pia who came over for a stegt flæsk dinner.

Lucas was working, so we went to see him down at Broens Gadekøkken and had early dinner from his food truck. 

He's the poke bowl king!

Thomas was away with the family on holiday in Japan, so we had the house to ourselves:

 

Grounding

Scandinavian summers can be wet, cold and miserable for sure.
But when they are good, they are GOOD! Unbeatable.

There is nothing better than sitting outside on one of those long, warm and light summer nights and just enjoy.

One evening we decided even to watch our TV outside, this photo is taken around 10 pm:

I also love being barefoot in the grass. The feeling, the smell, the grounding.

We even had days warm enough we wanted to swim! Admittedly, I only went in for a few minutes, but both Linnea and Lucas are more vikings than I am. Especially Lucas, I guess he has acclimatised now that he lives up here.

Full power for four days

Four days went really really fast, and no wonder, considering the heavy program we had!
She arrived very late Wednesday night to Dubai, and I went to pick her up so that we could pass by and get her PCR-test done straight away for the result to come back quickly. We needed her to be green already in the morning, so that she could join me up at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. I had a tour in the morning, and after my tour we had lunch. Then I showed her the new exhibition; and while I had another tour in the afternoon Pia went to Soul Beach to get some sun.

We kept the tempo up and decided to go for a Ladies Night on Thursday night. Since it had been a while since Pia's last visit, she hadn't yet seen the new area down in Yas Bay.

We went to Buddha Bar and enjoyed some sushi, and delicious cocktails.

Friday was spent mostly at the beach, we decided to go to Yas Beach, familiar ground. The weather now is absolutely perfect, warm enough in the air, and not too cold yet in the water. So lush!

As we had big plans for the Saturday we then decided to spend Friday night at home, playing board games and drinking wine. We introduced Pia to 'Ticket to Ride', which of course suited that old train conductor perfectly!

Saturday it was brunch time! Pia wasn't aware that we now have "normal" weekends here in the UAE, so this Saturday Brunch was a new concept for her, ha ha. But, it worked just as well! We dolled up and got ready, and I invited Pia for a lovely Asian brunch for her 50th (or 51,5th but who's counting...):

We returned to Yas Bay, but this time to Asia Asia. I have been wanting to try their brunch for a while. It's a bit on the pricey side, but - it certainly was worth it! The food was delicious, I just sat there and clapped my hands and mmm-ed and aaaah-ed at every bite!

As it was Johan's birthday the following day, Linda and Johan joined us for brunch for a bit of celebration. We had the best table in Asia Asia, right under the cherry tree! This is a seated brunch with table service which is really nice; especially when there is only four of you, otherwise someone would always be up running around to get more food.

 

 

Just LOOK at this spread! All the entrees, sushi, sashimi, sides and desserts could be repeated as much as you wanted - and then we picked four different main courses, and shared. We had both lamb, duck, blackened cod and beef, om nom nom!

We certainly didn't lack anything, neither food and absolutely not drinks..!

Dessert time - the mochi ice cream was the best!

Sunday Pia wanted to have some more sun and fun, so I took her to another new area - Hudayirat island. Even though it was the weekend, it wasn't crowded at all. We had a lovely morning on the beach, and then we walked up to the Marsana area and had lunch, and even ice cream. It's so nice to get to feel almost like you are on holiday, and every time I do this I wonder why I don't do beach days a lot more often!

Four days of full on fun! A shorter visit than she normally comes for, but so grateful still that we did get four full days together, just us! And to be honest, with the hectic programme we had, I wouldn't have handled more than four days, ha ha!

Sixten

We had the pleasure to be able to hang out with Sixten over three days this time. Because the weather was hot, we went to Skärv for a swim one afternoon, to Skövde to swim in the Swimming Hall there another morning, since they have slides and stuff; and then we met at my aunt Tinas for fika as well.

Sixten is a big fan of his "big cousins" (we haven't quite explained the concept of them being second cousins, no biggie), and apparently brags about them, and about how tall they are (ha ha) to his friends. The kids are big fans of his too, they play so nicely with him.

Although he wasn't a fan of playing too rough, here when Lucas put him on his shoulders he was shouting "I don't love heights!", as he held on to Lucas' face for dear life, ha ha!

It's always sunny in Karlstad

There is a saying in Sweden, that it's always sunny in Karlstad. This particular weekend it was certainly true - we had absolutely fantastic weather! Full on sunshine, every day!
It was time for the yearly meet-up between Anna, Linda and I - and all the kids. This year we were missing Cameron though, as he had been passing through Sweden with some mates earlier in the summer instead.

We spent most of the weekend swimming. Linda had moved house and is now in Grums, so this favourite spot of ours from previous years, came to really good use. Everyone got in the water, some more than others, and we also played volleyball and had picnics.

We also went to another spot, along the Fryken lake, to swim one day. So so so beautiful!

Even though it was glorious weather, we had to go back to Panikfabriken for some more laser tag! A favourite amongst both the young and the old!

And one morning before anyone else was awake, the Mums snuck out and had a few hours by the beach, all by themselves!

This is life! Sun, blue skies, greenery and best friends!

We established though that this weekend was probably the last time we meet up like this, on these conditions. Especially the boys have grown so big now, and want to do their own things and hang out in their own way. With Lucas moving up to Scandinavia now, they will be able to do just that, and continue to grow their friendships seeing each other more often.

Anna, Linda and I are rock solid of course, and looking forward to only grown-up time next summer, wii-hoo!
Hopefully we can find some way for the girls too by then, to keep hanging out as well, even if it's not like this next time.

 

Thank you guys for a great weekend!