My happy little summer memory from Finland
In the freezing cold wind and the dreary drizzle of February, I start to longingly look back at summers gone. The sunshine warming my face, the gentle wind caressing my cheek, the scent of the ocean surrounding me... and maybe a glass of frosty white in my hand. Ah, summer. I miss you.
I am perhaps a bit biased, coming from there originally, but one of my favourite holiday destinations is Finland. And in Finland, my favourite destination is a very specific place too - my parents summer cottage near the sea. And it isn't so much about the nearby beach, or the sauna at the waterfront, or the beautiful nature. It is about being a bit distanced from everything average and everyday, and being with family. Being able to spend time and experience life with my nearest and dearest.
I have many warm memories from our summer house. My favourite memory from there is from a windy summers day, bright and sunny, which we spent on the yard.
My daughter running around, collecting pine cones in her bright red plastic bucket. Me picking up pine cones and running after her. Us walking around in the woods, admiring little forest flowers and trying to spot the best pine cones in the woods, carefully selecting only the perkiest and firmest for the bucket. My daughter showing her catch to her great grandmother, proud and smiley. Her great grandmother just as smiley and happy, spending time with the youngest member of her family. And her grand parents, watching all of this, enjoying the life and laughter that follows every two year old.
My daughter running around, collecting pine cones in her bright red plastic bucket. Me picking up pine cones and running after her. Us walking around in the woods, admiring little forest flowers and trying to spot the best pine cones in the woods, carefully selecting only the perkiest and firmest for the bucket. My daughter showing her catch to her great grandmother, proud and smiley. Her great grandmother just as smiley and happy, spending time with the youngest member of her family. And her grand parents, watching all of this, enjoying the life and laughter that follows every two year old.
It perhaps isn't a grand or a special memory, a fleeting moment of collecting pine cones, but it was a happy moment. Spent together, as a family, as a happy family of four generations, enjoying an average day out. It was just one of the many summer days last year, but it is a day I could go back to again and again. My favourite summer memory.
Do you have any favourite summer memories?
Finland is a beautiful country. I've only been in the winter but it's probably top of my list of where I've been. It's just stunning. Good luck with he James Villa holiday x
ReplyDeleteThank you, fingers crossed :) it is a gorgeous country in the winter, and Lapland especially is a really gorgeous location to visit when there is snow. Glad you enjoyed it' :)
DeleteFinland looks so beautiful and green, no wonder you miss it! Beautiful photos. Would love you to link up to my new travel linky #MyFavouriteTrip Thanks, Polly x
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous in the summer, and the temperature is often really pleasant, not too hot but warm enough to wear shorts and a shirt :) there is so much green and nature too it is lovely place to spend some time just wandering about, enjoying outdoors :) thanks for the reminder, I'll definitely try link up, if you tweet me a reminder I'll RT too :)
DeleteIt sounds like an ideal location! Do you think you'll ever move back or do you see yourself based in the UK? I ask because I've been pondering over where to live long term as my little boy starts school next year, eek so want to make a firm decision before then but it's difficult! Finland looks like such a beautiful country. Thanks very much for linking up to #MyFavouriteTrip Polly x
DeleteNever say never! Finland is lovely, and has a great quality of life, but for me I think it would be difficult to find a job in my line of work. Not impossible in Helsinki I suppose, but much more limited than in London. All likelihood is that we are in London to stay :)
DeleteI do love visiting though!
Thanks for hosting :)
It may not seem like a 'grand or special' memory, but all memories are grand and special. Often times it's the simple things that we remember most, and that makes them all the more special. I think anyway.
ReplyDeleteI can see why you have such fond memories of Finland, and not just because of the connections - it looks beautiful! I love when there is a lot of greenery close to the sea; great combination. I can see why you love this retreat / home away from home.
Sharing snapshots at Captured By Jade
Oh yes, it is a gorgeous country, so much wild nature, lots of green, lots of lakes and rivers and beaches too. I had a ball as a kid, we were always out having adventures in the wild :D
DeleteI do agree, all memories are special, and sometimes the simple things are the best, like this simple little memory :) Thanks for the comment!