Where did the summer go?

We only had the chance to stay 10 days at our Norwegian summerhouse this year. A short stay with a lot of nice memories that seems to fade ....

Miss you Norway, but looking forward to next years visit!

Rio Chillar, a hidden gem

After spending the whole summer in Spain I'm now ready 

to do some blogging again, I think. 

Always love to come back to Spain. You may think it could be boring to always stay at the same place, see the same people, eat at the same restaurants and visit the same beach........ and honestly it sometimes is!

But it is also very exiting to read books about this lovely country and then plan excursions. I simply love the mountains behind the Costa and each year we visit a new place. And this year we ended up in the river!

The route cuts through the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park, offering plenty of shade, crystal clear river pools and guarantees a brilliant day out for the whole family. The walk starts easy and will sometimes be a bit of challenge, but most people will handle it. Most important is good shoes (beach shoes with rubber sole is not good enough, I tried!) , sunscreen, water and a snack.

Be aware: In summer it could be busy especially in weekends when locals find their way, and when there has been rainfall in the mountains.

There is no better way to cool off on a hot summer's day. 

HOT HOT HOT

Having a great time in Spain as always.

I made these glass jars the other day.

Simple kitchen jars with a lid that my son made holes in

with a screwdriver so it could fit a straw.

Fill it up with whatever you want,

you'll avoid spilling, sand or insects in it.

And perfect to bring to the beach or to the picnic......

And to fill them I suggest,

White Sangria

Slice some fruits
(I used orange, lime, lemon and grapes)
fill a quarter up with ice cubes
top it with 50/50 white wine and Sprite/7up

Or skip the wine and replace it with sparkling water for a non alcohol drink.

Beaumes de Venise

Spent a long weekend in Provence in the picturesque village

 of Beaumes de Venise.

Provence

photo from web

For God-knows-how-many-years I've had a 

crush on France and especially Provence. 

And now I'm gonna enjoy the area once again......

aaaaahhhhhh looking forward to it.

Au revoir!

Under the Spanish sun

 I had precisely 1 week in Luxembourg after our Spanish easter holiday until I was back. Had about 8 h to plan my trip, well not much planning though since the only task I had was to clean the house and make it ready for the boys who stayed for a long weekend.

Being alone in Spain for 4 days for the first time was a bit of challenge must say. Usually I have children or other family around me who need to be entertained more or less the whole time. 

But honestly, 4 days alone in Spain wasn't to bad.....

MAHO - yes please....

I was one lucky girl yesterday when I got a dinner invitation to Maho.

What a place!!!

Perfect from the entrance,  through the bar, restaurant and into the garden.

Had the angus beef with truffles which was soooo tasteful.

If I should say one negative thing it must be that the drinks came late to our table, but that we can live with....

A few moments from Spain (and from instagram)

The big summer party!

My grandfather and I having the last dance for the evening.

Midsummer in Sweden

Sweden is famous for more than the midnight sun, the archipelago and the "surströmming". One of the highlights is the Midsummer celebration which takes place Friday closest to the 23rd of June. We celebrated it this year at Råön outside Stenungsund together with hundreds of others. Swedish folk music and folk dance, flowers in the hair and herring on the plate is typical.

This year we were happy to welcome my parents along as well. Funny enough my father has been married to my mother for 40 years and this was his first time celebrating midsummer in Sweden! 

(he is Norwegian my mother is Swedish if you wonder)

Here are some pictures,

happy midsummer!

Heidelberg, Germany

We took advantages of the extended weekend and drove to Heidelberg in Germany for a couple of days. An old, lovely city with an impressing castle and a vibrant old town. 

The weather on Saturday was perfect so we took a boat trip on the river Necker which gave us a fair view of the city on both sides of the river.

A recomended destination if you want a weekend trip from Luxembourg, approx 2,5 h by car.

Cruising the Moselle

During our 8 years stay in Luxembourg we haven't done the "tourist" cruise at the Moselle. So when the opportunity came up on Saturday, where we were inviteded to a gala dinner onboard, we couldn't say no could we?

Lovely weather and amazing scenery give us a perfect evening onboard the cruise that took us from Remich, Luxembourg to Sierck les Bains, France and back again.

Thanks to Round Table Luxembourg for organizing the event.