Finally, the real summer break!

For the last one week since we left Frankfurt for holiday, I've been saying today is the start of summer (everyday). But TODAY really felt like the start of my summer this year, as we finally reached the Swedish summer house where we will stay (and I will partly work from) for the next 5 weeks. Yohoo.

On the way here by car, we stopped by Hamburg, a small island in Denmark called Moen, Lund and Arild in Skåne in southern Sweden, then another summer place called Varberg in south west Sweden, and a pit stop in Gothenburg. We saw many beaches and stopped by a few different summer houses of friends and family. I never met so many parents over a few days (a nice treat to feel like a kid again)! And we also bought a boat which will arrive next week. Summer IS here!

 

Hot forest

Today was a daunting 38 degrees (celsius) in Frankfurt. This entire week has been crazy but the no air conditioner situation in northern Europe in this weather is quite something (equivalent to the cold winters of 10 degrees in Hong Kong, with no proper heating). Our genius idea was to climb up high on the hill and find a forest to get cooler air, and it worked but it was still 31 degrees in this part of Taunus called Grosser Feldberg. The top of the mountain had a peak lookout, which reminded me a little bit of Hong Kong but filled with motorbikers.

On the way back, we stopped by our favorite town in Taunus called Koenigstein. We used to go there for the crepe, strawberry, ice cream combo dessert at this restaurant that no longer exists. But now we will go for any one of the five local ice cream or eis cafes (what a nice Euro concept).

How to make a Swedish midsummer flower crown

Midsummer is the most sacred day for the Swedes (period).  I joined last year for the first time, and had sworn that I will make the flower crown, wear it, and dance around the pole this year.

First step, go pick some flowers outside (not at the store).

Seond step, bring home the flowers in the most romantic way (in your hand). On the way back, find some birch branches to form the base of the crown.

Third step, lay them out nicely on a table outside and think of a design over coffee and cinnamon rolls. Then use the thin birch branches with leaves and either some threads or wires to form the base. Stick in whatever flowers that may suit the person wearing.

Done! I made three. Interestingly, you do get better as you make more, so better make your own at the end.

Last step, dance around the pole of fertility among the kids and drunk adults!

Caught and eaten in Unkel

This year's French Open

Sad that Djokovic didn't win.

Summer! By the Main...

People people people! In 34 degrees hotness.